In a way, hair reflects human health. Fatigue, diet and exposure to pollution all have an impact on hair health on a daily basis. Dull, brittle or thinning hair is becoming increasingly common. A dietary imbalance can cause this type of phenomenon, and people following a vegan diet often worry about the impact of their diet on their hair. Here are a few food supplements to help you regain or keep your hair in tip-top condition!
Why take dietary supplements for your hair ?
The hair fibre is essentially made up of a specific protein, keratin. The body produces it naturally from the storage of dead cells along the hair follicles. This process involves various amino acids such as serine, cysteine and tyrosine, as well as numerous trace elements, vitamins, proteins and fatty acids. Hair, for its part, is made up of water, lipids, mineral salts and melanin, which determines its pigmentation, or colour. Diet therefore plays a crucial role in the production and health of hair, providing it with all the nutrients it needs. Too few or too many calories, an unbalanced diet or simply age, stress or fatigue can all affect the appearance of hair.
An iron deficiency, for example, can lead to significant and rapid hair loss. Hair becomes more fragile and brittle. Similarly, a protein deficiency is easy to spot because hair grows much more slowly. So, to look after your hair, you need a balanced diet first and foremost. Fortunately, there are a number of dietary supplements that can help prevent these deficiencies.
5 food supplements to invigorate your hair
Today's diets expose us to certain deficiencies, particularly in iron, trace elements and vitamin B. To stay in perfect health, there are various food supplements available to help restore a healthy balance :
- Group B vitamins
These vitamins play an active role in keratin synthesis. They are highly varied and seem to complement each other to keep your hair in tip-top shape: vitamin B5 stimulates hair growth and melanin production, helping to preserve hair shine. It also delays cell ageing and maintains the hair's moisture level. Vitamin B8, also known as biotin, acts on the dermis and epidermis. It facilitates blood circulation in the scalp, which encourages hair renewal, and also plays a part in the synthesis of lipids and amino acids necessary for healthy hair. Often recommended in cases of severe hair loss, it activates hair growth while strengthening the hair. Vitamin B9, for its part, oxygenates and nourishes the hair to prevent hair loss.
- Brewer's yeast
Very rich in B vitamins, brewer's yeast is ideal for strengthening hair. It stimulates the production of keratin and strengthens the hair fibre thanks to its high content of vitamins B1, B5, B8 and B9. After taking brewer's yeast, the hair appears more supple and radiant. The nutrients in this food supplement also help to purify the scalp and slow down the process of greasy hair. Like most dietary supplements, this one is taken as a course of treatment lasting from one to three months, during a change of season.
- Zinc
Zinc is also one of the nutrients essential for the production of keratin. This trace element plays a major role in hair growth and has antioxidant properties: by combating the proliferation of free radicals in the body, it slows down the ageing of cells, and therefore hair. Zinc also helps prevent hair breakage and alopecia, i.e. accelerated hair loss in localised areas of the body.
- Royal jelly
Made by bees, royal jelly plays a real role in cell regeneration in the human body. In the case of hair, it helps to accelerate growth and promote resistance. It contains a number of highly valuable elements that nourish the hair fibre: vitamin B5, among many other vitamins, various minerals, lipids and antioxidants, as well as pantothenic and deoxyribonucleic acid. Royal jelly appears to be particularly suitable for dry, brittle and dull hair, as it acts on the very structure of the hair and its moisture content. Like brewer's yeast, it can be taken as a one- to three-month course of treatment between seasons, and is ideal as a preventive treatment.
- Spirulina
This cyanobacteria is becoming increasingly popular: spirulina is a microalgae that is particularly rich in nutrients, including iron, omega-3s, vitamins A, B and E, trace elements and zinc. Considered a superfood, it provides people following a vegan diet with vitamin B12, found only in meat, as well as large quantities of iron. Its high concentration of vitamins and minerals makes it an ideal ally for strengthening and stimulating hair growth, and restoring vigour and shine in cases of fatigue or dietary imbalance. When it comes to a course of treatment, we often recommend taking spirulina for at least a month, and taking it during the day, because of its energising effects.
