Is Vitamin C Beneficial for Hair Growth and How Much Should We Take It?

We have heard since ages that how well different vitamins work for your body. It is all in your diet that appears on your body. A better and healthy diet will always promote better health which will be full of freshness and energy. An innovative trend has been circulating for a while, and that is the usage of superfoods in your daily meals. These superfoods are natural and rich in the most powerful vitamins and nutrients that are best for the nourishment of your complete body and can bring about a positive change. So, to sustain better health, acquire a habit to add these natural foods in your diet and live a happy, healthy life.

What is Vitamin C?

Vitamin C which is also known as an ascorbic acid is abundantly found in fruits and vegetables. It is a water-soluble vitamin that is a powerful antioxidant; it also helps the body to maintain and form connective tissues, including blood vessels, skin, hair and bones. This miraculous vitamin regenerates and repairs tissues, helps in the absorption of iron, reduces bad cholesterol and triglycerides and protects from severe heart diseases. According to a potential research, vitamin C can prevent some cancers by fighting free radicals and neutralizes the effects of nitrates. This vitamin can also promote hair growth, soft skin, and strong nails.

Vitamin C Deficiency and Hair Loss Vitamin C for hair growth has been into question for quite a long time now. Everyone adores strong and healthy hair, and for this reason, better maintenance practice should be followed. Different vitamins work differently on your different body parts. You always have to study which thing works best and suits your body. The deficiency of these vitamins can cause major health issues and especially when it comes to vitamin C, following deficiencies can be observed:

Joint and muscle ache
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Leg rashes
Hair loss
Bleeding gums
Swollen gums
Bruising
Dry and splitting hair
Baldness
Dry and scaly skin
Digestive disorder
Weak immune system
Weight gain

Health issues may get worse over time if the vitamin C deficiency prolongs and may turn into serious health problems. Long-term health problems because of the low level of vitamin C include:

Gallbladder disease
High blood pressure
Different cancers
Stroke
Atherosclerosis

Vitamin C Benefits for Hair Health

Being one of the most powerful and effective nutrients, vitamin C can help grow and strengthen hair. It is responsible for enhancing hair health and beauty , promotes hair growth and stops hair loss and thinning hair issues. The main responsibility of vitamin C is to build collagen which is one of the vital parts of hair growth but still maintaining hair health is one crucial dilemma. Every vitamin is good for your hair until and unless you use them properly. One more benefit of vitamin C is to absorb iron that will keep your locks healthy and strong.

Regular use of vitamin C foods in the diet can change your lifestyle and so does your hair health. It is always recommended to take vitamin C rich food in the daytime as they will respond more properly and will give effective results. In case of excessive vitamin C deficiency, pills, tablets or supplements can be taken after doctor’s recommendation that will compensate the need of this special vitamin. Intake of these supplements can reduce alopecia which is popularly known as pattern baldness, hair loss and thinning of hair. It will provide ultimate strength to your hair and will make your scalp smooth.

Vitamin C Foods: Vitamin C and hair growth are two things that are interlinked with each other. Vitamin C must be consumed on a daily basis to maintain an optimum level of this vitamin. The following vitamin C rich foods are recommended due to numerous health benefits and high antioxidant content:

Guava: Guavas are one of the main sources of vitamin C in the fruit world. Every 100 g of this fruits contains 228.3 mg of vitamin C, or you can say 1 guava approximately contains 126 mg of this outstanding vitamin.

Green Chili: Green chili containing vitamin C is a big surprise for many people. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin C as compared to lime, lemon or oranges. 100 g of green chilies contains 242 mg of vitamin C, or 1 green chili contains 109 mg of vitamin C.

Kiwi: Kiwi which is also known as Chinese gooseberry is a tropical fruit that is rich in vitamin C. 100 mg of kiwi contains 92.7 mg of vitamin C, or 1 medium kiwi contains about 70.5 mg of vitamin C.

Orange: Orange which is popularly known as a vitamin C rich food is one of the favorites of many people. 100 g of oranges contains 53.2 mg of vitamin C, or 1 large orange contains 97.9 mg of vitamin C.

Strawberries: This fancy fruit is almost loved by everyone and is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. 100 mg of strawberries contains 58.8 mg of vitamin C, or 1 large sized strawberry contains 10.6 mg of vitamin C.

Broccoli:
Broccoli is a vegetable that is always available on the list of rich superfoods. 100 g of broccoli contains 89.2 mg of vitamin C, and this amazing food can be one best addition to your daily diet .

Vitamin C Treatment for Hair The best source of vitamin C always has fruits and vegetables that are organic and grown locally. In case you are advised to take supplements, make sure they are high in quality, free of additives and harmful filler. If you are facing a severe hair problem, then all you can do is visit your hair specialist and start taking vitamin C pills. According to Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) following measured value of vitamin C must be taken to maintain good health and will also help hair growth:

For infants:
0 – 6 months old = 40 mg/day
7 – 12 months old = 50 mg/day
For children:
1 – 3 years old = 15 mg/day
4 – 8 years old = 25 mg/day
9-13 years old = 45 mg/day
For adolescents:
Girls 14 – 18 years old = 65 mg/day
Pregnant teens = 80 mg/day
Breastfeeding teens = 115 mg/day
Boys 14 – 18 years old = 75 mg/day

For adults:
Men age 19 and older = 90 mg/day
Women age 19 years and older = 75 mg/day
Pregnant women = 85 mg/day
Breastfeeding mom = 120 mg/day

Can Too Much Vitamin C Cause Hair Loss?
The major drawback of this vitamin is that it cannot be stored in the body, so in case of excess vitamin C, it will be flushed through your urine. It is always safe not to exceed the recommended of vitamin C in the body, and that is 2000 mg per day just to avoid diarrhea or other stomach problems. The major side effect of this vitamin in abundance can be hair fall, as the excess of everything is bad. If you have issues consuming vitamin C for hair growth, go for shampoos that contain vitamin C in a good amount of ultimate hair nourishment.

After going through such diversified detail about vitamin C, one can conclude that a proper diet with the balanced amount of vitamin C is best for your overall health whether it is your hair, skin or rest of your body. Never underestimate the power of these special vitamins as they can be extremely good for your health.