You can’t grow without vitamins. That’s why your mom made you eat those chalky, fruity, chewables.

Your hair needs vitamins and nutrients just like your body, so if you are fighting hair loss or just trying to promote strong hair growth, you need to stop by the vitamin section before the shampoo aisle.

Niacin: The secret to hair growth

The B vitamin family is necessary for your overall health, but niacin (the scientific name of vitamin B3) is especially great for your hair.

Not much is known about this B vitamin. And if you’re surprised to read that, you are not alone! Niacin is a secret weapon when it comes to hair care because it does so much, and yet, people know so little about its benefits.

Niacin can be taken as a hair vitamin supplement or is found in fish, shrimp, lean meats, dairy, almonds, beans, and legumes, as well as celery and carrots. As a water-soluble vitamin, niacin helps your body convert food into energy.

You can tell when you are niacin deficient because fatigue is the first and most prominent symptom.

The role niacin plays in improving blood flow circulation is what makes it the ultimate hair treat, but there are additional benefits that can boost the health of your hair almost instantly. Recently, this secret vitamin has been used for the topical treatment of alopecia, and it is quickly becoming the go-to resource for hair growth.

Improved circulation brings oxygen to your hair follicles, which every strand needs. Lack of oxygen contributes to the development of an unhealthy scalp and unhealthy hair.

Niacin boosts your circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients right to the follicle. Whether you opt for a supplemental multi-vitamin or a revitalizing treatment, vitamin B3 gives what every hair needs.

Benefits of b3

1. Improved blood circulation

Niacin helps to improve circulation, which means blood flows more efficiently through your body and to your scalp. Healthier blood flow boosts the health of your scalp, preventing dryness and promoting hair growth at the same time.

You will know it is working because you will feel the niacin flush. Your blood vessels open up like flood gates and blood flows through.

Taking a supplement after you eat can reduce this sensation, and you should also take it in conjunction with other vitamins to maintain a healthy balance.

Studies have shown that when used to treat baldness, vitamin B3 stimulates blood flow to the scalp. The same research found that alopecia and other hair loss disorders are related to decreased blood flow.

The ability for B3 to increase circulation as well as reduce blood thickness makes it ideal for improving follicle growth.

2. Reduce inflammation

Chronic or uncontrolled inflammation can result from a poor diet, and it impacts your hair. Inflammation to your scalp can cause dryness, itching, and dandruff, as well as block hair growth. Over time the result will be weak and brittle hair that will fall out.

Vitamin B3 can prevent this by fighting inflammation and helping to heal any damage already caused. By preventing the activation of certain inflammatory markers in your body, your hair gains protection from potential damage, allowing it to heal and grow.

3. Repair damage

Environmental toxins and your own metabolic processes create free radicals in your body. These compounds need to be controlled and cannot run rampant or you will be looking at health issues and hair loss.

The damage these destructive units cause to DNA can be prevented with regular vitamin B3 intake.

4. Rebuild keratin

Keratin is the protein that makes up most of your hair, so without it, you essentially will not have hair. Niacin helps to boost the production of keratin.

A lack of keratin causes weak, thinning, and brittle hair. More niacin means more keratin, which means more hair, and that sounds like the better option for sure.

The most important b-complex vitamin

Getting the essential vitamins you need matters. If you notice physical changes such as thinning hair, weight gain, or excessive fatigue, chances are you are deficient.

Smoking, excessive drinking, and over-reliance on medications prevent your body from efficiently absorbing nutrients. Even if your diet is balanced, the nutrients you consume never make it to their intended target.

Final thoughts

To prevent hair loss and to promote the growth of healthy and strong hair, watch what you eat. Your scalp and hair need nutrients to survive and flourish, so you need to ensure the roads are cleared for delivery. Hair La Vie's niacin-infused Shampoo and Conditioner can help reverse the damage and promote new growth, giving you salon beautiful, photo-shoot ready hair in no time.