By Akeem Alex
People from all walks of life take supplements for a variety of different reasons. Some take multivitamins to make sure they hit their daily vitamin and mineral intake, some take muscle-building supplements to get the most out of their gym visits, and some take compound-specific supplements that provide them with a nutrient they’re not getting in their diet, such as B-12 for vegans.
Supplements can be tailored to perform many different functions, and increased hair growth is no exception. There are a huge variety of supplements on the market today that work to improve your hair’s strength and vitality from the inside out with a series of natural ingredients.
Supplements to Support Hair Growth
With so many options available both in stores and online, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. That’s why we’ve narrowed it down for you with this list of the top nutritional supplements to look for on the label when combatting hair loss.
- Biotin
Biotin gummies for hair growth is a compound that is water-soluble and supports healthy hair growth by helping to break down carbohydrates and fats. If you’re experiencing brittle, thin hair along with brittle nails or dull, lackluster skin, you’re most likely missing out on your daily requirement of biotin.
Though most daily multivitamins contain some biotin, you may want to take a pure biotin supplement to jumpstart your hair growth. Luckily, biotin supplements are extremely easy to find at any local drugstore and are relatively inexpensive. Plus, many of these supplements come in gummy form so you can get your biotin in while enjoying a sweet snack!
- Folic Acid
Folic acid is an essential compound found in many health foods such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and other leafy greens like spinach and kale. Besides its known hair growth-supporting properties, folic acid is often used to treat anemia and even prescribed to women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The effects that folic acid provide to those with anemia or pregnant women are actually incredibly beneficial to both men and women looking to improve the appearance and strength of their hair. Folic acid aids in the production of red blood cells, which your body needs to properly circulate oxygen throughout the bloodstream. Additional folic acid in your daily intake can improve the circulation of blood to your scalp and hair follicles, aiding in the hair growth process and rejuvenating blocked follicles to slow or stop hair loss.
- DHT Blockers
DHT is a testosterone byproduct that is known to cause hair loss, usually in the form of genetic pattern baldness. Though DHT is generally seen in larger quantities in men, women can also experience hair loss due to the presence of DHT.
DHT blocking vitamins are supplements that are designed to block an enzyme known as 5 alpha reductase, slowing the transformation of testosterone into DHT. This process reduces the levels of DHT in your system and slows hair loss, sometimes even stopping it entirely. DHT blocking products generally contain a variety of all-natural ingredients such as horsetail extract, vitamin B, and saw palmetto.
- Iron
Similarly to folic acid, iron supplements are often taken by those experiencing symptoms of anemia and pregnant women in order to reduce the risk of developmental delays. Iron is an essential mineral that people of all health levels need to ingest every day, and an iron deficiency can cause decreased energy levels, hair loss, and other unpleasant symptoms.
Iron supplements help to support the body’s production of red blood cells in order to make sure that the circulatory system is working properly. Though iron deficiencies can occur naturally, they are commonly experienced by vegetarians and vegans as the average person receives most of their daily iron intake from meat.
- Vitamins C, D, and E
You’ve been told since childhood that you need to get a proper dose of vitamins each day by eating fruits and vegetables. Though kids can generally get away with eating less than their recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals, adults might experience a host of unwanted symptoms if they try to do the same, one of which is hair loss and hair brittleness.
Vitamin C contains antioxidants, which protect your body against the oxidative stress of free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C aids in the production of collagen, a crucial compound related to hair thickness and shine. Vitamin D is known to reverse the effects of telogen effluvium, or stress-related hair loss. Vitamin E rejuvenates the sebaceous glands of your scalp, helping to support the production of sebum and preventing hair loss and brittleness through healthy oil production.
