Vitamin B12 (also called cobalamin) helps maintain healthy nerves and is also one of those B vitamins that is essential for creating the amino acids that make up protein. As your hair is 100% protein it becomes necessary to have enough B12 or your hair could become dull, brittle, dry and unable to repair itself if it is damaged by extensions, braiding, dying and straightening.
The reason it is important to take care of your hair is because a lot of problems associated with dull hair, dry hair and hair that just won’t grow are associated with stress. If you are too stressed your hair can actually fall out and Vitamin B12 is exactly the vitamin to take if you suspect your unhealthy hair has to do with nerves.
Vitamin B12 also feeds red blood cells and makes sure they are healthy and capable of carrying oxygen everywhere to every single tissue of the body and that includes the hair follicles. Hair follicles need to be nourished with oxygen or they literally become dead, clogged with sebum and lifeless. This can result in dull or thin looking hair as well. If you feel tired, depressed and have numbness or tingling in fingers and toes you might have a Vitamin B12 shortage.
Aside from irritability, fatigue and memory loss, dull and tired looking hair and skin can also signify a cobalamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency has long been associated with vegan and vegetarian diets though there are a variety of causes. B12 is a nutrient produced by bacteria and if you want to get a little more then don’t remove the skin from your fruits and vegetables. Often good sources are in rinds, pith and other parts of the fruits and vegetables that we pour down the drain.
You can also sabotage your body’s ability to absorb the vitamin by smoking as the cyanide in cigarettes destroys the entire vitamin in your body. Alcohol does the same thing. Aging can cause you to produce as well as certain parasites, like Candida Albicans, in your gut. Parasites and fungus can actually feed off of your B12 and grow larger while grow weaker. When this happens you can develop dry hair or a bad case of dandruff.
Taking a B12 supplement containing 10 mcgs or more daily can also provide the recommended daily intake. Any B12 supplement tablet should be allowed to dissolve in the mouth or chewed to aid absorption. You can also get B12 in spray forms that can be applied under the tongue and as part of a component of one of the many liquid supplements made by companies like Salus or Floradix. If you are seriously deficient a doctor may recommend taking vitamin B12 injections. Remember that these are just some tips on how to make your hair grow faster. You should always consult a physician, hair clinic, or “hair doctor” prior to dramatically altering your diet or taking supplements or other hair products of any kind.
If you are going to take B12 try taking it with other B vitamins around the same time or it will not absorb properly. For lovely hair take it in conjunction with iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and a Vitamin C supplement.
