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Vitamin C

Hair cells are the 2nd fastest growing cells in the body (2nd only to intestinal cells). However, hair is a non-essential tissue, so your body will never send nutrients its way if another part of you is lacking. Hair needs a mixture of both vitamins and minerals to grow. Vitamin C is one of these essential vitamins.

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin as your body cannot make it on its own, nor can it store it. This means Vitamin C needs to be consumed on a daily basis. Vitamin C is needed for a wide range of bodily functions, including wound healing, tissue support, bone health, collagen production and protection from free radical damage. In terms of your hair, Vitamin C is vital for the absorption of iron – a deficiency of which can cause chronic hair loss and hair not growing past a certain length.

Vitamin C Deficiency

Vitamin C deficiency usually occurs when there is lack of Vitamin C in someone's daily diet. However, smoking, alcohol abuse, chronic illness and eating disorders can also deplete the body of Vitamin C, and lead to vitamin deficiency anaemia. In severe cases, Vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy. As Vitamin C is water-soluble, it is easily lost from foods through storage, over-cooking and boiling in water, making it important to obtain from fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C deficiency can cause dry, brittle hair and also hair loss as it can lead to anaemia. It is preferable to obtain Vitamin C through your diet, rather than supplements. However, a combination of both supplements, such as Philip Kingsley TRICHO COMPLEX, and a healthy diet, is best for encouraging re-growth of hair when loss and/or thinning is an issue. Furthermore, it is important to note that any supplement you take which contains iron needs also to contain Vitamin C or your body will not be able to absorb it.