Aside from healthy eating, exercising, and getting the right hair products for your hair type, taking the correct vitamins on a daily basis are essential for long and/or healthy hair. These vitamins can also be found in the food you eat, shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products that are used to maintain healthy hair. Some of the vitamins include:

Vitamin A - Also know as retinol, is an antioxidant that aids in the production of healthy sebum which reduces dryness and breakage. Furthermore, it can also aid in fighting free radicals that can wigh the hair down. If you have a strong gag reflex and cannot take the actual vitamin in pill form, be sure to chow down on the following foods:

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  Carrots

  
  


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  Cod liver oil

  
  


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  Spinach

  
  


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  Collard Greens

  
  


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  Peaches

  
  


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  Sweet potato

  
  


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  Kale

  
  


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  Romaine Lettuce

  
  


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  Sweet Red Peppers

  
  

Vitamin B Complex - Aid in regulating metabolism and maintain the nervous system which is essential for hair growth and the overall health of the hair. The best ones to take are B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, and B-12. Once again if you prefer not to take the actual vitamins in pill form, they can be found in the following foods:

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  High in Vitamin B-1 - Green peas, macadamia nuts, wheat bread, lean pork, cooked asparagus

  
  


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  High in Vitamin B-2 - Hard boiled eggs, beef, almonds, goat cheese

  
  


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  High in Vitamin B-3 - Chicken breast (cooked), turkey, mushrooms, avocado, lean beefs, and pork

  
  


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  High in vitamin B-5 - Mushrooms, avocados, eggs, chicken drumstick (cooked), turkey, sweet potato (baked)

  
  


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  High in Vitamin B-6 - Pistachio nuts, Salmon, turkey (light meat, cooked), chicken, bananas, cooked spinach

  
  


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  High in Vitamin B-12 - Shellfish (cooked clams), smoked salmon, crabs, low fast dairy (skim milk), eggs

  
  

Biotin (vitamin B7 or Vitamin H)- Supports carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism which can lead to stronger hair and nails. It can also increase the elasticity of our hear which can lead to less breakage, and it has been clinically proven to prevent dryness. This vitamin is sold at drugstores all over the world an can be taken by eating the following vegetables, fruits and grains:

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  Green Peas

  
  


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  Broccoli

  
  


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  Cabbage

  
  


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  Eggs

  
  


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  Milk Cheese

  
  


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  Yogurt

  
  


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  Oats

  
  


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  Unpolished brown rice

  
  


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  Bananas

  
  


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  Avocados

  
  


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  Strawberries

  
  


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  Raspberries

  
  


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  Watermelon

  
  

Vitamin C - Regulates our immune system, is an antioxidant and aids in the growth and repair of tissues in our bodies. It also increases the absorption of iron which aids in the growth of strong and healthy hair. Vitamin C can be purchased at any drugstore or grocery store in your area and we will start offering multi-vitamins that contain vitamin C on this site by Mielle Organics. It can also be found in the following foods:

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  Oranges

  
  


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  Tangerines

  
  


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  Lemons

  
  


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  Strawberries

  
  


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  Cantaloupes

  
  


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  Grapefruit

  
  


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  Red peppers

  
  


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  Green peppers

  
  


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  Broccoli

  
  

Vitamin D - This vitamin not only keeps our bones and skin healthy but has also been clinically proven to increase hair growth by creating new follicles and re-awakening dormant follicles. There are numerous hair products that contain this vitamin and is widely available. Foods that contain this essential vitamin include:

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  Salmon

  
  


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  Swordfish

  
  


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  Fortified orange juice

  
  


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  Grains

  
  


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  Low fat milk

  
  

Vitamin E - Also known as Alpha tocopherol, increases blood circulation and oxygen supply to the scalp. Vitamin E liquid capsules can be opened, applied to the scalp and massaged in but it is more effective if you take it as a dietary supplement or ingest it by eating foods like:

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  Cooked Spinach

  
  


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  Almonds

  
  


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  Shellfish (Shrimp)

  
  


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  Sunflower seeds

  
  


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  Avocados

  
  


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  Olives and olive oil

  
  


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  Kiwis

  
  

Folic Acid (Vitamin B-9) - Helps our tissues grow and aids in the proper functioning of the cells in our bodies. Some of those tissues include hair, skin and nails. It also, aids in cell generation which can produce hair growth in both men and women. There are plenty of drug stores that sell Folic Acid as a dietary supplement and it can also be found in:

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  Spinach

  
  


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  Broccoli

  
  


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  Multigrain products

  
  


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  Asparagus

  
  


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  Okra

  
  


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  Peanuts

  
  


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  Cauliflower

  
  


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  Beets

  
  


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  Corn

  
  

There are plenty of other vitamins and minerals that are needed to obtain long and healthy hair. Whether your hair is natural or relaxed deficiencies in any of these vitamins can; decrease hair growth, lead to itchy and unhealthy scalps, and of course hair loss. So please, whether you are taking them in pill form or eating food that contains the vitamins, please use them on a daily basis. You will not regret the positive effects that they can have on your hair and overall health!