Vitamins and supplements that promise hair growth can’t be true. Can a pill once or twice a day make your hair long, strong, and healthy?
Hair loss and thinning can be caused by a variety of reasons, including nutritional deficiencies. Vitamins and supplements are by no means a miracle cure, but the right ones can change the way your hair looks and feels.
Here are the best vitamins for hair growth recommended by experts.
What types of vitamins help hair growth?
Many factors affect hair growth and health, including nutrition, genetics, health conditions, hormones, and even stress. Studies have shown that the lack of vitamins and minerals important for normal cell growth and function can affect hair loss [1].
“Vitamins are essential for healthy hair growth and help prevent hair loss and thinning,” says Michelle Green, a New York cosmetic dermatologist. “The best vitamins for hair growth are B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, biotin, and iron.
Vitamin B
B vitamins are important for hair growth and are “important for metabolism and nervous system function,” says Dr. Green. “It’s no surprise that B vitamins such as vitamin B7 (biotin) and B12 are important for strengthening and maintaining healthy hair.”
Research shows that the daily requirement of B vitamins can easily be met by eating a balanced diet. B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods, including 100% whole grains, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, and avocados.
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Biotin
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a B vitamin that has positive effects on hair growth. And some of this advertising may actually be worth it. Biotin “is responsible for making red blood cells that carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles,” says Dr. Green. It also “plays a role in the production of keratin, the main component of hair.”
The National Institutes of Health notes that most people get enough biotin from the foods they eat. The best way to get more is to eat biotin-rich foods. Dr. Green recommends milk, eggs, bananas, salmon, sweet potatoes, and almonds. If you think you need supplements, talk to your doctor. Supplement labels indicate that many biotin supplements for hair, skin, and nails far exceed the recommended amount.
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Vitamin C
Vitamin C not only helps to maintain immunity but also strengthens hair. Dr. Green says vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and is essential for healthy hair growth. “Vitamin C helps increase circulation throughout your body, including your scalp,” she says. “When blood circulation to your scalp increases, it stimulates more hair follicles and promotes hair growth.”
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Metal
Iron also plays an incredibly important role in hair growth, and a study in the Korean Journal of Medical Science showed a link between iron deficiency and hair loss among women[2]. This micronutrient improves circulation and helps transport oxygen to your cells more efficiently, Dr. Greene explains, which is good for hair growth. “If you don’t get enough iron, your body can’t produce enough hemoglobin, which can cut off oxygen to the scalp and cause hair loss,” she says.
He recommends eating iron-rich foods like oysters, red meat, spinach and lentils. If you’re at risk of iron deficiency, it’s a good idea to add iron supplements to your daily routine, but check with your doctor first.
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Keratin
Keratin is the protein that makes up our hair, skin and nails, notes Dr. Green. It is naturally produced by the body and there are many keratin supplements that help with hair growth. However, Dr. Green recommends “supplementing” keratin in a more natural way—by eating protein-rich foods like eggs, beans, fish, and meat—rather than taking pills. “There’s no reliable research that says keratin helps with hair growth,” she says. “Additionally, too much keratin can be harmful because excess protein accumulates in the body.”