5 Key Nutrients for Strong, Healthy Hair

There is a strong connection between your internal health and the strands of hair on your head. Your hair is generally considered low priority to your body, so dull, thin, breakage-prone hair can be one of the first signs that something isn’t quite right.

Nutrition has the ability to improve the health of the hair you have. If you have started to see more hairs in the comb than you would like to, or if you simply want to strengthen the hair you currently have, these five nutrients are the best for achieving a thick and healthy mane.

B Vitamins – Low levels of vitamins B2, B5, B6, and B7 (biotin) are all associated with hair loss. These vitamins are water soluble, meaning you must replace them in adequate amounts daily. Unfortunately, stress, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, digestive problems, birth control pills, and numerous medications deplete B vitamins. You are undoubtedly at risk of having at least one B vitamin deficiency, making supplementation with coenzyme B vitamins a smart idea if you have started to see your hair thinning.

MSM Sulfur – MSM Sulfur has been nicknamed the “beauty mineral” because it is a major component of the hair, skin, and nails. MSM sulfur works synergistically with zinc to form the protein keratin. Low levels of sulfur in the body can lead to weaker strands of hair that are more prone to breakage. Sulfur is also highly concentrated at the hair follicle and may reduce hair from falling out.

Zinc – Zinc is important for many different enzymatic reactions in the body and may play a supporting role in hair follicle support and recovery. Low levels of zinc can lead to hair loss. In a study with people who had alopecia areata, male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness and telogen effluvium, all were found to have lower mean serum zinc than the control group. This suggests that zinc could be an effective treatment for hair loss in all of these groups.

Collagen Peptides – Collagen is a highly abundant protein in the body that makes up your connective tissues, joints, ligaments, tendons, bones, teeth, gut lining, bones and skin. It is natural for collagen production to decline with age and daily activities. Supplementing with collagen peptides is shown to support healthy hair strength, plus joint structure, skin elasticity, nail strength, ligament and tendon health, bones, GI tract lining strength and more. Wellness Resources sources bioactive collagen peptides from grass-fed, pasture raised cows. 

Whey Protein – Your hair is comprised of mostly protein. Since your body thinks of hair as low priority, if you aren’t getting enough protein from your diet, your hair is likely to suffer. Not getting enough protein can slow or halt hair growth completely or cause low-quality hair strands to grow. Whey protein is low in saturated fat and contains all of the necessary amino acids your body needs. It makes an excellent breakfast that will support hair growth.

No matter your motivation for wanting to improve the look of your hair, nutrition will be your best option. Mother Nature has provided us with the most effective cure for dull, thinning, breakage-prone hair. Addressing the root cause of your hair troubles will improve your overall health as much as the hairs on your head.