vitamin c Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Articles Tagged with: vitamin c

December 16, 2019

The 8 Best Foods for Hair Growth

There is no doubt that what we’re born with – our genes – have an outsized role in determining whether we will spend our lives with a full head of hair or struggling with hair loss. There are nearly 300 genetic ties to hair loss, according to a recent study. But what we put in our bodies after we’re born – what we eat and what we drink – also impacts the health, resiliency, and continued growth of our hair.

You can help boost hair growth, as well as improve your overall health and well-being, with a healthy and balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and nutrients. Whether in conjunction with hair restoration treatments or simply as part of a healthy lifestyle, incorporating a wide range of readily available hair growth-promoting foods into your grocery shopping will lead is a great way to instantly create positive change in your life.

So, fill up your cart with these nine hair-positive foods:

Nuts. As you may remember from high school biology, proteins and their amino acids are the “building blocks” of the body. This includes your hair follicles. A diet rich in protein from various sources can be the key to strong and robust hair. Few foods are as high in protein as nuts and legumes, including walnuts, almonds, and cashews.
Eggs. Eggs are protein-rich, but they also have biotin, which helps produce a protein called keratin that is essential for healthy hair.
Salmon and other fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids hydrate the scalp and stimulate follicle function while also enriching strands for a shinier glow. Salmon, trout, and sardines are great resources for boosting your omega-3 intake.
Spinach and other leafy greens. Iron deficiency is one of the leading causes of dietary-related hair loss. A lack of sufficient iron restricts proper blood flow – depriving follicles of growth-stimulating nutrients. Iron-rich foods such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and other leafy greens can up your iron intake and help feed your hair. Spinach also contains antioxidants, vitamins B, C and E, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which can assist with hair and scalp health.
Grapefruit. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron into the bloodstream. You can foster hair growth by eating these two hair-boosting nutrients together. Additionally, along with its collagen-boosting properties, the antioxidants found in vitamin C keep skin, hair, and nails nourished. Grapefruits and other fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and blueberries, contain high levels of Vitamin C necessary for hair growth.
Lentils. Not only are lentils an excellent protein source, they also contain ample amounts of iron, zinc, and biotin, which promote scalp health and strengthen hair.
Avocados. That famous guacamole you make contains a tasty mix of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B and E that help protect and strengthen hair. Vitamin B is vital for hair growth, while vitamin E protects your skin and hair from environmental pollutants and sun damage.
Sunflower seeds. This healthy snack or salad topping contains a grab bag of hair-supporting nutrients such as protein, zinc, selenium, biotin, potassium, copper, iron, B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium and calcium.

Schedule an Appointment for a Hair Loss Evaluation Today

Of course, changes in diet alone may not be enough to stop hair loss. At the Miami Hair & Skin Institute, our world-renowned hair restoration physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering from hair loss.

To receive a personalized hair loss evaluation and proposed treatment plan, contact us online or call our office directly at 305-925-0222.

November 21, 2016

How Your Diet Encourages Hair Growth

Foods For Healthy Hair Physical characteristics, including hair, is often representative of your internal wellbeing. When you lack the nutrients necessary to keep your body performing properly, certain functions shut down. Patients suffering from temporary hair loss due a stressful event or dietary shift, a condition called telogen effluvium, should reevaluate their nutrition. All hair loss patients looking to stimulate regrowth can lead a healthier lifestyle to boost the effects of alternative restoration methods, such as surgery or low-level laser therapy (LLLT).

If you tend to eat high amounts of empty calories (i.e. junk food) and now notice thinning or shedding, you’re likely missing these key nutrients:

Protein

Proteins and their amino acids are known as the building blocks of the body. Like their effects on muscles, proteins keep hair long, strong and soft. Protein-rich foods include chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and low-fat dairy products. Legumes and nuts are viable protein alternatives for individuals on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Try to allocate 30 percent of your caloric intake toward proteins for a well-balanced diet.

Omega-3

Unfortunately, the human body does not produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own. We obtain these solely through food, which makes consuming substances rich in fatty acids essential to overall vigor. For hair health, these oils keep the scalp hydrated to stimulate follicle function while enriching strands for a shinier glow. Foods such as salmon, sardines, trout, avocado and pumpkin seeds are great resources for boosting your omega-3 intake.

Iron

Did you know lacking iron is one of the chief causes of dietary-related hair loss? Anemia, defined by insufficient iron levels in the body, is a serious problem that triggers hair loss. Low iron levels limit proper blood flow – something follicles need to receive growth-stimulating nutrients. Iron is found in red meats, fish, broccoli, kale, chicken and leafy greens.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C acts as a catalyst for iron to absorb into the blood stream. Eating these two hair boosting nutrients together fosters hair growth. In addition, the antioxidants found in Vitamin C, along with its collagen-boosting properties, keep skin, hair and nails looking and feeling nourished. Many refreshing fruits, such as oranges, strawberries and blueberries, contain high levels of Vitamin C necessary for hair growth.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E protects your skin and hair from environmental pollutants and sun damage. You can incorporate vitamin E into your diet by eating more almonds, spinach, avocados, sunflower seeds and butternut squash. Alternatively, you can apply vitamin E oil topically.

Biotin

You’re probably familiar with taking biotin supplements for healthy hair and nails. As a B vitamin, biotin helps strengthen locks to avoid breakage and fall. While supplements can easily up your biotin consumption, try incorporating egg yolks, yeast and whole grains for additional nutritive benefits.

Often, a dietary change isn’t enough to regrow lost locks. At the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami, our skilled physicians diagnose and treat hair loss cases that can’t be reversed at home. Through advanced hair restoration surgery techniques and alternative non-invasive treatments, we can help patients suffering with hair loss. To schedule a consultation, call us directly at 877-443-9070.

February 10, 2015

Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Hair Loss?

Are alcohol and hair loss related? It’s a common question with a straightforward answer. In general, it is a myth that alcohol consumption causes your hair to fall out. Nevertheless, excessive alcohol consumption may cause serious long-term harm to the liver, nervous system, heart, stomach, and brain.

But why do so many men and women believe alcohol will cause hair loss? In this article, we address the myth that alcohol makes your hair fall out while exploring other ways drinking may hurt the health of the body.

Addressing the Myth of Alcohol and Hair Loss

Excessive amounts of alcohol is not healthy for the body. However, it is an overstatement to say, “Drinking alcohol causes hair loss.” There are many variables that contribute to thinning, shedding, and balding. Alcohol consumption alone is unlikely to be the reason a man or woman experiences hair loss, especially pattern baldness.

However, there are many ways that alcohol adversely affects the body and thus may contribute to weaker or thinner hair. They include the following:

Dehydration. Alcohol consumption lowers the natural level of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) in the body. Naturally, ADH helps the body regulate hydration. As it tails off, the sensation to urinate develops, and the body starts expelling liquid.

Mineral Depletion. In addition to dehydrating the body, alcohol is known to lower the amount of important minerals in the body. Zinc and biotin are among the two most important to know, since both are important in the growth of naturally healthy hair.

Vitamin Depletion. Alcohol consumption is also linked with a decrease in vitamin levels, specifically C and A. Both vitamins play a key role in keeping the body healthy, so hair health can suffer when these vitamin stores are depleted.

Estrogen Production. Drinking alcohol is known to increase the production of estrogen. In both men and women, increased estrogen production can lead to hormonally-induced hair loss.

Stress. Indirectly, the stress caused by alcoholism, alcohol-induced accidents, and other related events might cause stress-related hair loss known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is a condition characterized by the early entrance of hair into the telogen phase of the hair growth cycle. During telogen phase, the hair follicle becomes dormant and new hair ceases to grow. Unlike other forms of hair loss, telogen effluvium is often temporary.

Treat Hair Loss at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami

To learn more about personalized hair loss diagnosis and treatment, contact the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami online or call our clinic directly at 305-925-0222.

August 17, 2012

Foods for Healthy Hair

The nutrients in the foods we eat have a profound impact on the way we look and feel. When it comes to our scalp, there are a variety of nutrients that help to create and maintain healthy hair. These include macro nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are easy to find in the items at the local grocery store, farmer’s market, or vitamin shop. These foods for healthy hair set the stage for natural hair growth by promoting circulation, nutrient delivery, and follicular stimulation. In this article, we focus on the nutrients that fuel healthy hair growth, texture, and thickness. For specific foods, we invite you to reference our Healthy Hair Diet guide. There, you will find the top 5 all-natural foods for healthier hair.

Macro Nutrients for Healthy Hair

Protein. Hair is mostly composed of natural proteins, so it’s of little surprise that the first macro nutrient for healthy hair is lean protein. Eating a diet rich in protein may help to keep your hair looking and feeling its absolute best. Moreover, some sources of protein offer additional nutrients for healthy hair. For example, salmon is a lean protein and contains Omega-3 fatty acids, B-12 vitamins, and iron that help to fortify hair and regulate its growth.

Gluten Free Carbohydrates. Gluten is a protein found in most grains, oats, and barleys. An estimated 1 in 133 Americans has some sort of allergy to gluten that may adversely affect their ability to digest other nutrients. For example, Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disease that causes the cilia of the small intestine to become agitated and swollen when gluten is digested. This drastically inhibits the ability of the small intestine to absorb nutrients into the bloodstream.

Going “gluten free” is easy, and some of the most delicious carbohydrates will still be on the menu. Corn, cornmeal, lentils, rice, and potatoes are just a few examples of the best gluten-free carbohydrates that will keep you full without the risk of agitating your digestive system.

Vitamins that Make Hair Grow

Vitamin E. Vitamin E is among the best nutrients for healthy hair. In some studies, this vitamin has been show to promote healthy blood circulation. Improved blood flow means enhanced nutrient delivery, especially to the scalp. In this way, vitamin E can help hair grow by promoting oxygen and nutrient delivery directly to the hair follicle.

Vitamin C. Like vitamin E, vitamin C promotes health circulation and is one of the best nutrients for healthy hair. Moreover, vitamin C is a powerful all-natural antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage. The sun is one of the most powerful sources of free radicals, making our hair particularly prone to free radical damage. Maintaining a diet rich in vitamin C will help ward off free radicals from the sun as well as other environmental stressors, helping to maintain healthy hair long into the future.

Biotin. Biotin is an essential vitamin for healthy hair, but not necessarily because it spurs growth. Instead, biotin helps to keep hair from becoming thin and frail. By improving the overall health of the hair, biotin helps to maintain a regular growth cycle with less risk of thinning, shedding, or loss.

Minerals for Hair

Zinc. Zinc promotes healthy hair by helping the body to balance hormone production and other cellular activities. Zinc also helps the body absorb vitamins, making this nutrient a must for healthy hair. Researchers also believe that zinc may help to curb the production of DHT, a synthesized version of testosterone that damages hair follicles and leads to shedding, thinning, and loss of hair.

Magnesium. Magnesium promotes healthy hair by helping to regulate a number of chemical processes in the body, including heart rate and muscle function. This mineral is critical for healthy hair growth, yet most individuals exhibit magnesium deficiency. To maintain a diet rich in magnesium, look for foods like fish (halibut), cashews, soybeans, almonds, and green vegetables like spinach.

Iron. Low iron levels may put an individual at risk for hair loss, but getting more iron is easy. Among the best sources of iron are whole eggs, liver, dried fruits, salmon, and legumes. Iron supplements are available as well, however one should always opt for natural food sources as they contain nutrients that are more easily ingested and utilized by the body.

Learn More About Hair Loss and Treatment Options

Making changes to diet and exercise regimen may not be enough to restore hair to its natural, youthful state. A number of other factors may impact the rate at which hair becomes thinner, begins to shed, or falls out entirely. Genetics, hormones, and prescription medications may each be causal factors. Readers are invited to visit the following free informational resources to learn more:

Hair Loss

Hair loss affects millions of men and women in the United States alone. Losing one’s hair does more than impact physical appearance. It may have a profound affect on professional, social, and personal relationships. Visit this section of our website to learn more about the cause, progression, and treatment of hair loss.

Hair Restoration

Never before have hair restoration technologies and procedures been more advanced and effective. From low level laser treatment (LLLT) to advanced follicular unit transplantation (FUT), a variety of options exist for effectively restoring the natural appearance of hair. Visit this section of Miamihair.com to learn more.

Hair Loss Evaluation

Are you a candidate for a hair loss procedure? Our clinic is home to the finest technicians, registered nurses, and hair transplant surgeons in Florida. Request an appointment online, or call our clinic directly at 1-877-443-9070.