Many people consider healthy-looking hair a sign of overall health and beauty. Furthermore, like every other body part, hair needs various nutrients to develop and look its best (1).
While age, genetics, and hormones all impact hair development, proper vitamin intake is critical.
If you have hair loss or thinning, you may wonder if a nutritional supplement can help your hair grow faster.
Please continue reading to discover more about hair nutrients and our top ten hair growth supplement selections.
Essential nutrients for hair growth
You should eat a well-balanced diet if you desire healthy, luscious locks.
In truth, there is very little evidence that hair vitamins and supplements enhance hair growth in otherwise healthy persons.
Some vitamin shortages, however, have been linked to hair loss. In some cases, a supplement may be beneficial (2).
Several dietary deficiencies, including several B vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin C, iron, and zinc, may lead to hair loss.
B vitamins
Hair loss has been linked to deficiencies in riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 (2).
While biotin is a popular vitamin for hair, skin, and nails, evidence of its advantages for those who get enough biotin is limited (2).
Similarly, studies on whether folate and vitamin B12 benefit hair development in persons with appropriate intakes is equivocal (2, 3).
Riboflavin, folate, and biotin deficiencies are uncommon. Some people, however, may be at a higher risk, such as those who follow a rigorous diet (4, 5, 6).
Vitamin B12 deficiency is increasingly frequent among elderly individuals and vegans (7).
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant with a variety of functions that might improve hair health, including:
- assisting in the manufacture of collagen, which provides amino acids that may be utilized to construct keratin – a crucial component of hair structure (2, 8)
- increasing iron uptake (2)
- safeguarding hair from oxidative stress, which has been related to hair loss (9)
However, remember that vitamin C insufficiency is uncommon; most individuals obtain enough of it through food.
Vitamin D
Although vitamin D insufficiency is linked to hair loss, research on vitamin D supplementation for hair development is sparse (2, 9, 10).
Still, because most individuals are unlikely to obtain enough vitamin D through food alone, it’s worth consulting a doctor to determine whether you may benefit from a vitamin D supplement (11).
Iron
Iron is essential for numerous basic activities, including transporting oxygen to tissues throughout the body (12).
Iron insufficiency, the most prevalent nutritional shortage worldwide, can cause anemia and hair loss, particularly in women (2, 12, 13).
Zinc
Zinc, another essential mineral, aids in immunological function, DNA synthesis, and wound healing (14).
Although data on the efficacy of zinc supplements for hair development is contradictory, a zinc shortage can cause hair loss (2, 14).
How we chose
The following criteria were used to choose the most significant hair growth vitamins:
- Brand reputation and quality testing: All of the goods on our list are made by well-known companies and have been thoroughly checked for quality.
- Effective ingredients: We picked items with nutrients that have been demonstrated to be beneficial to hair development. We also selected supplements that include minerals that are more easily absorbed.
- Type of supplement: This collection includes accessories for various requirements and tastes.
Eathealthyisgood’s picks of the best hair growth vitamins
Best clinically tested
Nutrafol Core for Women
- Dose: 4 pills daily
- Active ingredients: keratin, horsetail, Japanese knotweed extract, black pepper extract, capsicum extract, and vitamins A, C, and D. biotin, iodine, zinc, selenium, collagen, sensoril, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, curcumin extract, full-spectrum palm extract, hyaluronic acid, L-cysteine, L-lysine, L-methionine, keratin, horsetail, Japanese.
Nutrafol provides subscription-based hair development supplements that promote hair growth and prevent thinning.
According to the company’s website, the capsules help strengthen hair, lashes, and brows and reduce shedding.
Over 6 months, one research of 40 women with self-reported hair thinning discovered that daily consumption of Nutrafol Core for Women helped boost hair growth, as well as hair thickness and volume (15).
Similarly, in another trial of 98 men and women with thinning hair, daily consumption of Nutrafol Core for Men or Women for 6 months resulted in substantial improvements in hair growth, density, volume, and shedding (16).
Keep in mind that Nutraceutical Wellness LLC paid the researchers in both studies. Thus there is a possibility of bias.
Nutrafol capsules are non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and devoid of artificial ingredients. These capsules, however, are not vegan-friendly since they include collagen derived from wild cod.
Remember that Nutrafol Core for Women is not suggested for anyone under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding. However, Nutrafol does provide a postpartum hair loss supplement.
Nutrafol products are manufactured in a CGMP-compliant facility and are tested for heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals by a third party.
Best gummy
OLLY Heavenly Hair Gummies
- Dose: Two gummy bears every day
- Active ingredients: silica, biotin, zinc, keratin, amla extract, horsetail extract
A gummy vitamin may be better if you dislike swallowing pills or capsules.
OLLY Heavenly Hair Gummies include biotin, zinc, and a variety of herbs that may aid in hair development.
The gummies, for example, include amla extract or Emblica officinalis Gatertn, which originates from an Asian flowering tree and is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities (17).
While topical use of amla has been demonstrated to improve hair density and growth, oral usage has yet to have the same impact (18).
These gummies also include horsetail extract and silica, which may aid in the prevention of hair losing and thinning. However, the data are conflicting (19).
Remember that horsetail might interfere with some drugs, so contact a doctor before using this supplement (20).
OLLY supplements are tested by a third party to verify purity and efficacy.
Best women’s multivitamin for hair
Nature Made Multi for Her
- Dose: One pill daily
- Active ingredients: Vitamins A, C, B6, B12, D3, E, and K, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and molybdenum
While not primarily designed for hair development, a multivitamin may help cover nutrient deficiencies in your diet, which may be linked to hair loss (2, 21).
Nature Made Multi for Her includes essential nutrients for healthy hair, such as zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, and vitamin D. It also has 100% of the Daily Value (DV) for iron as ferrous fumarate, a highly absorbable type of iron (2, 12, 22).
This women’s multivitamin has been third-party tested and validated by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), so you can be confident in the product’s quality and label correctness.
Best for men
Nature Made Multi for Him
- Dose: One pill daily
- Active ingredients: Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D3, E, and K, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, and chromium
One of the most excellent solutions for men is Nature Made Multi for Him, which contains vital elements for hair health such as zinc, B vitamins, and vitamins C and D. (2).
It does not contain iron because males have significantly lower iron demands than women and are less likely to be deficient (12).
Some nutrients, like with the women’s formulation, are included in levels surpassing 100% of the DV, which may be excessive for some people.
Best with vitamin D
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 Liquid
- Dose: Five drops daily
- Active ingredients: vitamin D3
Vitamin D insufficiency has been related to hair loss, and a healthcare expert may suggest a supplement in such cases (2, 10).
Pure Encapsulations Vitamin D3 Liquid is one of the finest vitamin D supplement solutions since it has been third-party tested, is free of significant allergies, and is available in liquid form.
Each 5-drop dose contains 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 produced from harvested lichen, making it vegan.
This supplement is gluten-free, and devoid of significant allergies, GMOs, and artificial colors and flavors.
Best B-Complex
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus
- Dose: One pill daily
- Active ingredients: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid are all antioxidants.
A vitamin B complex supplement may help with hair growth in persons deficient in this vitamin, while deficits in this vitamin are uncommon (2).
However, preliminary evidence shows that folate and vitamin B12 supplementation may promote hair development even in persons who do not have a shortage (2).
Pure Encapsulations B-Complex Plus is gluten- and GMO-free, containing all eight B vitamins.
All B vitamins are present in amounts of more than 100% of their DV. While toxicity with B vitamins is uncommon, it is still possible. Thus, consulting a healthcare expert is critical before beginning any new supplement (23).
Best zinc supplement for hair growth
Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate
- Dose: One pill daily
- Active ingredients: Picolinate of zinc
While studies on the efficacy of zinc supplements for hair development are contradictory, zinc deficiency has been linked to hair loss (2, 14).
Thorne Research’s zinc supplement is an excellent choice since it offers a highly absorbable type of zinc and is devoid of chemicals and fillers.
Thorne Research is a well-known supplement company. All its supplements are made in NSF-certified facilities and tested numerous times throughout production to assure purity, potency, and quality.
Thorne Research Zinc Picolinate is also NSF Certified for Sport, which means it is devoid of over 273 chemicals prohibited by competing sports organizations.
Best prenatal vitamin for hair growth
FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin
- Dose: Eight capsules daily
- Active ingredients: vitamins A, C, B6, B12, D, E, and K2, as well as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folate, biotin, pantothenic acid, choline, calcium, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, molybdenum, potassium, inositol, betaine HCl, and vitamins A, C, B6, B12, D
FullWell Prenatal Multivitamin has many vitamins and minerals that may aid hair development, such as B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin D. (1).
This prenatal vitamin is intended for pregnant or nursing women. It contains choline, a component many other prenatal vitamins lack, and methylfolate, a more absorbable type of folate.
FullWell products are created by a licensed dietician and evaluated by a third party. On request, certificates of analysis (COAs) are also available.
Best postnatal vitamin for hair growth
Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin
- Dose: Two pills daily
- Active ingredients: Vitamins A, C, B12, D3, E, and K2, as well as folate, biotin, choline, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, boron, omega-3 DHA, and vitamins A, C, B12, D3, E, and K2
Many women have excessive hair loss after giving birth, which can be concerning (24).
Ritual’s postnatal vitamin provides a mix of vitamins and minerals to aid postpartum healing.
It includes docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid that promotes hair development, improves hair density, and reduces hair loss (25, 26).
It also contains vitamin D, iron, and zinc, all related to hair loss in those deficient in these nutrients (2).
Ritual’s postnatal vitamin has been quality and accuracy verified by a third party.
Best collagen supplement for hair growth
Thorne Research Collagen Plus
- Dose: One scoop (16.5 grams) daily
- Active ingredients: Collagen, nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate, anhydrous betaine, and fruit extract
Collagen is a protein that includes amino acids that may be utilized to construct keratin, the protein found in hair (8).
Collagen has recently been a popular vitamin for healthy hair, skin, and nails. However, data on its efficacy for hair growth could be more extensive (27).
Still, Thorne’s product is one of the best choices for a collagen supplement.
Thorne Research Collagen Plus is formulated to maintain healthy hair, skin, and nails by combining collagen peptides, plant-based antioxidants, and nicotinamide riboside. This molecule may aid in healthy aging and cellular repair (28).
This berry-flavored powder is gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free and sweetened with stevia.
Thorne Research supplements are tested four times throughout production and are manufactured in NSF-certified facilities.
How to choose the best supplements for hair growth
When buying hair growth supplements, keep the following aspects in mind:
- Your individual needs: Getting enough vitamins and minerals is vital for maintaining healthy hair, but too much of particular vitamins, such as A and E, can cause hair loss and even vitamin poisoning. It’s a good idea to see a healthcare practitioner to determine which supplements are worth using in your wellness routine (2).
- Third-party testing: It’s usually a good idea to pick supplements that have been third-party evaluated to confirm their safety and label accuracy.
- Cost: The cost of supplements might vary considerably. Choose a product that fits nicely inside your budget.
When to see a doctor
There are several reasons for hair loss, some needing medical attention (29).
It is always advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner. They can evaluate the reason for your hair loss and provide a customized treatment strategy.
Frequently asked questions
Do hair growth vitamins work?
Most people who benefit from hair growth supplements have nutrient deficiencies since inadequate consumption of certain elements, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin D, has been related to hair loss (2).
However, precise data on the efficacy of hair growth vitamins in otherwise healthy people still need to be included (9).
Does biotin work for hair growth?
Biotin is a well-known B vitamin frequently used to improve the health of one’s hair, skin, and nails. However, data on its usefulness needs to be more consistent.
Because biotin supplements might impact the results of some blood tests, it’s critical to inform your doctor if you’re using them (2, 3, 30).
Are hair growth vitamins safe to take?
For healthy individuals, most vitamin and mineral supplements are considered safe. However, many people can satisfy their vitamin demands only via food, and taking supplements may cause you to take too many nutrients (31).
Before beginning any new supplement, contact a healthcare practitioner, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or using medicines.
Choosing a third-party tested product can also ensure that the product you buy includes what is mentioned on the label.
How can I thicken my hair?
Supplements and FDA-approved hair loss products are among the home cures that may help thicken hair. To decide the best solution for you, see a healthcare expert.
The bottom line
Various variables, including age, genetics, and hormones, can influence hair growth.
Hair loss can be exacerbated by dietary deficiencies such as vitamin D, iron, and zinc.
While some people swear by hair growth supplements, data to back up their effectiveness is sparse. Furthermore, several substances often found in hair supplements may harm some people, particularly those pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you’re worried about your hair, consult a doctor before taking hair growth supplements.
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