Most people are aware of the importance of vitamins in keeping our bodies healthy, but many may not realize the role vitamins play in our physical appearance. Without a balanced, nutritious diet that provides a full range of vitamins, our hair and skin won’t keep their healthy glow.

For example:

• Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and may help prevent acne.  It also helps the glands in the scalp produce healthy sebum, an oil that keeps hair flexible.
• B complex vitamins: Each of the B vitamins has a specific role in promoting healthy skin and hair.  They promote scalp circulation, help prevent hair loss, and produce the substance that gives hair its colour.
• Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps flush free radicals (harmful molecules) from the body.  Antioxidants also help keep toxins from clogging pores and help damaged skin heal.
• Vitamin E promotes healing and tissue repair and enhances scalp circulation.

When starting a new vitamin regimen, it usually takes two to three months to see any change, so patience and consistency are important.  It is also important to check with your doctor or Sobeys Pharmacist before starting a vitamin program, especially if you have any health conditions.