Many people are curious about whether or not these vitamins work. Some say they do, while others say they don’t and that it’s all just marketing hype.
Why Vitamins Matter to Hair Health
Nothing can enhance the appearance of a person more than having a beautiful head of hair. No wonder so many people are obsessed with keeping their hair looking it’s very best.
In the pursuit of the perfect head of hair, some people spend their hard earned money on a bottle of vitamins for hair hoping they’ll make it grow faster or look healthier.
Hair is a big part of our appearance and it can be a big confidence booster to know that we have beautiful, healthy hair. However, many people struggle with thinning hair or breakage. Hair growth vitamins are often used to help improve hair thickness and texture.
There are many different types of vitamins that claim to improve hair health, but does taking one really make a difference? We’ll explore the benefits and risks of using these products for your hair.
Are hair growth vitamins and nutritional supplements good or are they a waste of money?
While it’s tempting to buy into the promises that a particular vitamin or supplement is good for hair growth and health, there’s very little science behind the claims that a particular supplement or vitamin can enhance the appearance of hair.
You do need vitamins and minerals for hair health, but most people get sufficient amounts of the vitamins and minerals they need for healthy hair through diet and there’s little evidence that megadoses of vitamins or supplements are good for hair health.
One nutritional supplement that’s often advertised as being good for hair is biotin. Biotin is “B” vitamin that most people get sufficient quantities of in their diet since it’s found in a wide range of foods ranging from meat and dairy products to vegetables.
The manufacturers of vitamins for hair claim that biotin helps to promote hair growth and can reverse gray hair, enhancing hair thickness. Many people order expensive biotin supplements believing that these supplements are good for hair.
While it’s well documented that people who have biotin deficiencies can have hair loss, there’s no evidence that adding additional biotin to the diet in the absence of a deficiency can enhance hair growth or thickness.
Three situations where a biotin deficiency might occur are:
- During Pregnancy;
- With consumption of large quantities of raw egg whites. Raw egg whites contain a protein that binds biotin making it less available to the body.
- Diabetics, epileptics, and the elderly are also at higher risk of a biotin deficiency.
Are there certain types of diets that are good for hair?
Since hair is composed of around ninety percent protein, it’s important to get sufficient quantities of the essential amino acids through diet to serve as building blocks for healthy hair growth.
A protein deficiency can cause hair loss as can malnutrition from caloric restriction . If you’re eating a vegetarian or vegan diet, reassess how much protein you’re taking in if your hair is thinning. Keep in mind that there’s no evidence that consuming excessive quantities of protein are good for hair health.It’s also important to get enough essential fatty acids in the diet to maintain hair health, particularly the omega-3’s found in fish oil.
Why Your Diet Isn’t Enough
A healthy diet is the most important thing for hair growth. But, there are a few other factors that affect hair health as well. One of these factors is vitamin intake. Hair vitamins are supplements that contain all the necessary vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth and overall wellness.
It’s important to know what type of vitamins your body needs to grow healthy hair. Some people may need more than others depending on their diet or lifestyle choices, but in general, everyone needs at least some of these key vitamins: A, C, D, E, B12 and B6.
Hair Vitamins also provide a lot of benefits such as preventing hair loss and promoting faster hair growth among other things too!
The 4 Most Important Vitamins for Hair Growth
Hair is an important part of our self-image. It is a symbol of youth, beauty, and health. But if you have hair loss, it can make you feel embarrassed and self-conscious.
There are many reasons for hair loss including genetics, stress, pregnancy, childbirth, dieting or nutritional deficiencies. However there are also some vitamins that have been shown to promote hair growth when taken in the right dosage and at the right time.
Some of the most important vitamins for healthy hair growth are vitamin A (retinol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherols), and biotin. These vitamins all play a role in healthy skin and scalp tissue which is essential to promote new hair growth.
The Bottom Line?
If you’re concerned about hair loss or thinning, don’t waste your hard earned money on supplements that are claimed to be good for hair.
The best hair vitamin is a good diet with sufficient but not excessive amounts of protein and essential fatty acids.
If you’re eating a good diet and your hair is still thinning, see your doctor.
Certain conditions such as an underactive thyroid, anemia, stress, hormone imbalance, and even medications can cause hair loss and thin.
Your doctor can also check for a vitamin B12 or iron deficiency which can also cause hair loss in some situations.
I’m a family practice physician with a strong interest in preventive medicine. I trained at the Medical College of Virginia where I earned a medical degree (M.D.) and a master’s degree after graduating with a double bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology.
My philosophy? Strive to be fit and fabulous at any age! I show people how to do that through my writing.
Read more about me here.