For a lot of people, their hair is one of the most valuable physical assets. You may know of someone who makes an effort to save up on trips to the salon to have their hair colored, treated, or both. After all, the state of someone’s crowning glory can positively or negatively impact their confidence and self-esteem.

However, if you’re looking for a more affordable way to maintain hair health while improving texture and preventing breakage, why not look into nutrients that can help achieve this goal? One example is vitamin E found in certain food choices and dietary supplements. 

Some of the initial hair-related benefits linked to vitamin E include improving scalp health and promoting shinier locks.¹  But did you know that there are also other benefits worth looking into? With that said, take a closer look at how Vitamin E may do wonders for your hair with the help of this read.

Un-Lock These Vitamin E Benefits for Hair

A deeper dive shows that research has been done to learn how vitamin E helps with hair growth. However, while studies focusing on human subjects aren’t that many as of late, some initial results do highlight a positive correlation between vitamin E and improved hair health. Initial results showed that vitamin E helped:

1. Increase hair growth: One 2010 study reported significant hair growth among subjects with hair loss who took a 100 mg dose of vitamin E for eight months. Their scalps fared better compared to subjects who were given a placebo.²
2. Improve scalp health: Another study also highlighted that topical application of vitamin E oil on the scalp helped reduce the risk of premature aging and expanded the capillaries. As a result, blood flow was increased in the scalp and the hair became adequately moisturized and nourished.
3. Boost skin protection: There is also research linking the topical application of vitamin E to added protection for the skin since the said nutrient may promote anti-inflammatory properties. Eventually, this vitamin E may play a role in increasing blood flow in the scalp and promoting moisturized hair.³

Why Antioxidants in Vitamin E Are a Valuable Asset

Ultimately, what makes vitamin E such a standout for hair health would be its antioxidant properties.⁴ Just like other parts of your body, did you know that your hair and scalp can be affected by “oxidative stress” and “free radical damage” too? 

These changes are caused by internal factors (linked to the body’s metabolism process) and external factors (environmental stressors^5,6 like ultraviolet radiation, drugs, and air pollutants, to name a few⁷).

Taking your hair for granted can increase the risk for issues like split ends, hair thinning, hair loss, and damaged cuticles, among many others.⁸

This is where antioxidants like vitamin E can come in and help protect the skin against the negative effects of oxidative stress⁹ and free radical damage.¹⁰ This vitamin is able to work directly on the free radicals in your body by donating an electron, potentially preventing drastic effects often linked to the harmful substances.¹¹

In fact, results of a 2016 study highlighted that gamma-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, may help prevent the formation of nitric oxide, sunburn cells, lipid peroxidation linked to ultraviolet B rays, and edema.¹² 

In another study, focused on antioxidants in general, people who used a shampoo formulated with these nutrients reported reduced hair shedding and transepidermal water loss, increased total hair count, and improved scalp health.¹³

How Else Can Vitamin E Positively Impact Health?

Aside from these hair-related benefits, other research has highlighted that vitamin E may help:¹⁴ 

• Promote better cell membrane health
• Reduce risk for cardiovascular diseases, cataracts and Alzheimer’s disease
• Exert anti-inflammatory effects versus the human immunodeficiency virus
• Strengthen overall immune health

Vitamin E is also a notable ingredient in some skincare products like face serums and can be recommended as a form of treatment against certain skin disorders.¹⁵ 

Lastly, a deficiency of this vitamin has also been linked to a higher risk of certain skin problems.¹⁶ 

Vitamin E Sources to Remember That May Help With Your Health

Hopefully, the many vitamin E benefits for your hair and your overall health have convinced you to include it in your daily health arsenal! Health experts recommend that adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, get at least 1,000 mg of vitamin E daily.¹⁷ Undeniably, your best source for this nutrient would be through a diet loaded with vitamin E-rich food choices such as:¹⁸

• Sunflower seeds
• Almonds
• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Vegetables like spinach, pumpkin, asparagus, and red bell peppers
• Fruits like mangoes and avocados

Do remember that these vitamin E-loaded food choices should be taken together with healthy fat-rich food (like avocados, chia seeds, salmon, and eggs) so the digestive system can absorb it better.¹⁹ Unfortunately, some people are not able to meet their daily vitamin E requirements due to factors such as an unhealthy diet and lifestyle. 

If you are worried about not getting enough vitamin E daily, ask your doctor about a the benefits of a vitamin E supplement like Pharex® E. Together with proper diet and exercise, this supplement can be a valuable addition to your daily health arsenal since it contains 400 IU of a form of vitamin E called dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate that may help with:

• Lowering risk for damage and illnesses caused by free radicals 
• Shielding the body versus the harmful effects of stress
• Boosting cell health, brain health, and mental function
• Maintaining adequate amounts of vitamin E within the body²⁰
   

Take one capsule of Pharex® E orally once a day, or as prescribed by your doctor. Pharex® E is available in all leading pharmacies nationwide, and online on Lazada and Shopee at a suggested retail price (SRP) of Php 9.95 per capsule.

If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.