Will vitamins help with hair loss?

To date, no clinical study shows that vitamins and hair supplements promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, or improve other facets of healthy hair, such as dryness, shine and thickness. In rare cases where poor hair health is due to nutrient deficiencies, taking supplements can improve hair quality. Red blood cells need iron to carry oxygen. Low levels can cause iron-deficiency anemia.

Symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, and hair loss. You may already know that vitamin D is important for your bones. But did you know that low levels of this substance are linked to hair loss? The skin produces vitamin D when it gets sunlight, but many people can't get enough of it from the sun alone. You can increase your levels by eating fatty fish or drinking fortified milk.

You can also ask your doctor to recommend a supplement. Taking magnesium with vitamin D will improve bioavailability. Zinc may play a key role in protein production in hair and other cells. Your body can't produce it, so you need to get it from food or supplements.

Signs of low zinc levels include hair loss, poor wound healing, and a weak sense of taste or smell. Ultimately, there's little to support the effectiveness of hair supplements. Those looking to treat hair loss are better off going to their doctor and find out what is causing hair loss and how it can be treated. While vitamin deficiency may be behind weight loss or less than lustrous locks, a balanced and healthy diet can help improve the condition of the strands.

The most important thing for hair is that it contains vitamin D3 (2000 IU) and iron (8 mg, which is 44% of the daily requirement), the two nutrients that Dr. Friedler points out as two of the most common culprits of weight loss. Practically, Ritual is a subscription-based vitamin service so you never have to worry about running out (and you're more likely to take them). Khetarpal explains what vitamins to target and what kind of results you can expect.

A Multivitamin Can Help Close Your Nutritional Gap. Khetarpal recommends one with B vitamins, zinc and at least 2,000 international units of vitamin D. Khetarpal recommends taking 3 to 5 milligrams a day. Khetarpal also suggests considering the following to help you with your hair growth goals:.

Zinc pyrithione is the active ingredient in some over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoos. And these shampoos have a hidden advantage. Khetarpal says that the success of using a supplement or product depends more on the duration of the hair loss than on anything else. People who have been losing hair for just two or three years are more likely to see remarkable results than those who have been losing it for 10 or 20 years.

The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice that our editorial team provides in our articles, nor does it otherwise affect the editorial content of Forbes Health. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information that we believe you will find relevant, Forbes Health does not and cannot guarantee that the information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties regarding it, its accuracy or applicability. Vitamins and supplements that promise hair growth seem too good to be true. Can taking a pill once or twice a day really make your hair longer, stronger and healthier? Hair loss or thinning can be caused by a variety of causes, including nutritional deficiencies.

So, while vitamins and supplements aren't a miracle cure by any means, the right ones can make a difference in how your hair looks and feels. Here's a look at the best vitamins for hair growth and some supplements that experts recommend. B-complex vitamins play a role in hair growth and are “essential for metabolism and nervous system function,” says Dr. Research shows that you can easily reach daily amounts of B vitamins if you follow a balanced diet.

B vitamins are found in a variety of foods, including 100% whole grains, meat, fish, whole eggs, nuts, and avocados. Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, is a complex B vitamin that is often touted as having benefits for hair growth. And some of that hype may be worth it. Biotin has the function of “creating red blood cells”, which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles, says Dr.

It also “plays a role in the production of keratin, which is a major component of hair”. Most people get enough biotin from the food they eat, say the National Institutes of Health. The best way to get more is to eat foods rich in biotin. Green recommends milk, eggs, bananas, salmon, sweet potatoes and almonds.

If you think you need an extra boost, talk to your doctor. Supplement labels reveal that many biotin supplements for hair, skin and nails far exceed the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is not only good for maintaining immunity, but it can also strengthen hair. Green points out that, as a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C is essential for healthy hair growth.

Recommends eating foods that are high in iron, such as clams, red meat, spinach and lentils. It may also be worth adding an iron supplement to your routine if you're at risk of iron deficiency, but check with your doctor first. Keratin is a protein that forms our hair, skin and nails, says Dr. It's naturally produced by the body, and there are many keratin supplements that claim to help with hair growth.

Green suggests “supplementing with keratin in a more natural way” by eating protein-rich foods, such as eggs, beans, fish and meat, rather than taking a pill. You may also be interested in these hair growth products from our featured partner Gluten, Dairy, Soy, Hormones, Medications and Artificial Additives. Gluten, dairy products, soy, hormones, medicines, artificial additives. Nutraceutical for hair growth for women before, during and after menopause A vitamin D deficiency can cause hair loss, according to Dr.

Zinc is a trace element and the body only needs it in small amounts. It's small but powerful, and plays a role in everything from cell growth to DNA creation. Recommends eating foods rich in zinc, such as meat, beans, nuts and seeds. She points out that while vitamin A deficiency may contribute to hair loss, it's not common in the U.S.

Department of State, adding that, unless there is evidence of vitamin A deficiency, there is no reason to take supplements. Eating foods rich in vitamin A might be better, he says, such as leafy greens such as kale, spinach and broccoli, orange vegetables such as carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes, and yellow vegetables such as pumpkin. In addition to a diet rich in all the vitamins and minerals that can affect hair growth, there are a variety of over-the-counter supplements specifically aimed at those struggling with thinning or hair loss. However, as with any supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor.

Here are some hair growth supplements recommended by experts. Green, who is part of the Nutrafol network of doctors and offers the supplement through his office, recommends Nutrafol if you're looking for an effective supplement that helps with hair growth. Nutrafol also contains vitamins A, D and C, biotin and zinc. Viviscal is another line of supplements for hair growth.

The brand offers supplements for women and men, and has a line of hair care products that includes shampoos and conditioners. Green recommends Viviscal as a good option for hair growth, saying that “it is 100% drug-free and contains ingredients such as vitamin C, biotin and other essential amino acids. Hair Sweet Hair from Hum Nutrition is a line of vegan gummies designed to make hair stronger and healthier, encouraging growth. Green recommends these gummies because they contain biotin, folic acid, vitamin B12 and zinc, as well as other ingredients that have been shown to promote hair follicle health and prevent hair loss.

Life Happens, and It Affects Your Hair. Nutrafol's hair growth and support products are created from patented formulas that address six main causes affecting hair health and adapt to your ever-changing needs. It's normal to lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, even if it seems like a lot, Dr. For many, hair loss is also part of aging.

However, there are cases in which a visit to the doctor is justified. Green recommends consulting a board-certified dermatologist to discuss your options. The information provided on Forbes Health is for educational purposes only. Your health and well-being are unique to you, and the products and services we review may not be appropriate for your circumstances.

We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment plans. For personal advice, consult a medical professional. Forbes Health meets strict standards of editorial integrity. As far as we know, all content is accurate as of the date of publication, although the offers contained in this document may no longer be available.

The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. If you need a thickening or growth agent, regardless of the hair thinning source, Rogaine is the most effective hair growth treatment on the market, according to Herrmann and Mizuguchi. From coloring and heat damage to aging and health problems, there are a myriad of reasons why you might want to increase your hair growth. A vitamin B complex supplement may benefit hair growth in people who are deficient, although vitamin B deficiencies are relatively rare (.

There are two FDA-approved medications, finasteride and minoxidil, that are clinically proven to help stop hair loss, but there's nothing that can eliminate male pattern baldness forever. Nutrafol is a line of supplements designed to promote hair growth, make it thicker and stronger and reduce hair loss. They also go through a patented prebiotic and probiotic fermentation process to eliminate toxins and create a purer formula packed with antioxidants and vitamins. Both B vitamins and zinc play a role in hair follicle health, and B vitamins help create red blood cells.

Common ingredients in hair growth supplements include vitamins (especially vitamins A, C and multiple B vitamins), minerals such as zinc and selenium, herbal ingredients such as saw palmetto, and the content of foods such as collagen powder and fish oils. Enriched with biotin, vitamins C and E, as well as other essential nutrients such as zinc and folate, these gummies not only improve the appearance and growth of hair, but critics are also excited about the remarkable difference they make in brittle nails. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to hair loss and, in some cases, a health professional may recommend a supplement (2,. While hair supplements may not be your best option, there are things you can do to help stronger, healthier locks grow.

While factors such as age, genetics and hormones also affect hair growth, optimal nutrient intake is key. And while you've probably heard of biotin, a common ingredient in many hair supplement products, it's important to know that it's mainly concerned with hair strength. . .