{"id":25000,"date":"2021-07-06T22:55:54","date_gmt":"2021-07-06T22:55:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=25000"},"modified":"2022-05-16T19:56:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T19:56:36","slug":"do-prenatal-vitamins-help-hair-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/do-prenatal-vitamins-help-hair-growth\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It True That Prenatal Vitamins Help Hair Growth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shavonne Morrison, MS, RD, LD<\/a>, addresses questions related to pregnancy, prenatal vitamins, and hair growth<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

If you\u2019re on a mission to grow thicker, longer hair, or have experienced some hair loss, you might have heard of a variety of solutions, including prenatal vitamins. But wait, do prenatal vitamins make your hair grow?<\/span> Before you take prenatal vitamins for hair growth, <\/span>\u00a0there are a few things you should consider before supplementing <\/span>with prenatals<\/span>\u2014especially if you aren\u2019t pregnant or <\/span>trying to conceive<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

First, if you fall into that category of pregnant or planning to be pregnant, we\u2019ll talk about the changes in hair growth during pregnancy.<\/span> Then, we\u2019ll take a look at what science has to say about taking <\/span>prenatal vitamins for hair growth<\/span>. <\/span>Regardless of whether you\u2019re pregnant or not, the nutrients in prenatal vitamins, from folic acid to vitamin D<\/a>, are essential to your health\u2014and your hair. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

How Pregnancy Changes Your Hair<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

Pregnancy is a time of exponential growth and development<\/a> for the baby. To facilitate this, the mother\u2019s body undergoes many hormonal changes. These changes\u2014combined with increased blood volume and circulation\u2014could be the reason for healthier-looking, longer hair.<\/p>\n\n\n

The main hormone at work here is estrogen. Estrogen prolongs the growth phase of hair during pregnancy. For many, this means less hair loss and breakage<\/a>, resulting in healthy, shiny hair.<\/p>\n\n\n

On the flip side, many women experience postpartum hair loss<\/a>. Once estrogen levels begin to return to normal, hair is more likely to fall out at a higher rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Pregnant<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Do Prenatal Vitamins Help with Hair Growth?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Hair seems to grow naturally during pregnancy. So do prenatal vitamins also make your hair grow while pregnant? Although there’s a correlation<\/i> between prenatal vitamin<\/a> consumption and hair growth during pregnancy, that doesn’t necessarily mean that prenatals cause<\/i>\u00a0hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n

However, a 2018 study\u00a0found that women may experience thicker nails<\/a> during pregnancy. Interestingly, there was no difference in the growth rate<\/em> of nails\u2014only nail thickness. This indicates that since pregnancy hormones impact nail thickness, they may similarly impact hair thickness.<\/p>\n\n\n

Overall, research doesn’t support the idea that prenatals will help your hair grow. However, a diet rich in vitamins A, C, D, E, B vitamins, iron, and zinc<\/a> very well could!<\/p>\n\n\n

Best Vitamins in Prenatals for Hair, Skin + Nails<\/h2>\n\n\n

While some may be tempted to take a prenatal for hair benefits, you can also get key vitamins and minerals from a high-quality multivitamin<\/a> or through food.<\/p>\n\n\n

Here are the top beauty-boosting nutrients to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n

Vitamin A<\/h3>\n\n\n

Healthy, moisturized skin\u2014as well as a nurtured scalp\u2014requires vitamin A. It facilitates the proper production of sebum<\/a>, the oil your body naturally produces.<\/p>\n\n\n

Vitamin C<\/h3>\n\n\n

A powerful antioxidant, vitamin C can neutralize free radicals (molecules that can cause oxidative stress<\/a> in the body and impair hair growth) without becoming unstable itself. It also increases the absorption of iron, which is necessary for hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n

Vitamin D<\/h3>\n\n\n

The role of vitamin D for hair growth\/loss isn’t conclusive. But according to a 2019 study, there may be a substantial link<\/a> between having enough vitamin D and avoiding hair loss.<\/p>\n\n\n

Vitamin E<\/h3>\n\n\n

Also an antioxidant, vitamin E\u00a0has\u00a0similar effects<\/a> on the body to vitamin C in terms of reducing oxidative stress and promoting hair growth. Vitamin E is known to improve skin\u2019s smoothness<\/a> and help maintain its moisture. This includes the skin on your scalp\u2014and a major component of having healthy hair is maintaining a healthy scalp<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

B Vitamins<\/h3>\n\n\n

B vitamins\u2014specifically biotin (vitamin B7)\u2014are involved in the health of your hair, skin, and nails. In particular, some studies link biotin deficiency to hair loss<\/a>. In particular, a 2017 study<\/a> found that 38 percent of study participants reporting hair loss had a biotin deficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n

Iron<\/h3>\n\n\n

This mineral is important for carrying oxygen to every cell in the body. Iron deficiency symptoms include weak\/brittle nails, paleness\/pallor, and\u00a0hair loss<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

Zinc<\/h3>\n\n\n

Lastly, zinc\u00a0deficiency is commonly associated with hair loss<\/a> in people of all genders. A zinc supplement might be necessary in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n

F<\/strong>olic Acid<\/h3>\n\n\n

Also known as vitamin B9, or the most available form of the vitamin, folate, folic acid is one of the essential vitamins in prenatal vitamins. It\u2019s recommended in both pre-conception and all throughout pregnancy in order to prevent birth defects. Some studies have suggested that it can also potentially be used to treat hair loss, according to a 2019 review<\/a>, but the research is still inconclusive.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

C<\/strong>alcium<\/h3>\n\n\n

You can also find calcium in prenatal vitamins, which is key to both fetal bone development and maternal bone health. When it comes to hair health, calcium is also a crucial mineral to avoid hair loss, particularly during the perimenopause period<\/a>, a 2016 study<\/a> reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Back<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Can you take a prenatal if you aren’t pregnant?<\/h2>\n\n\n

Will prenatal vitamins help with hair loss, even if you aren\u2019t pregnant? Hold on before you take that supplement. If you’re not pregnant, there are a few things to consider before taking a prenatal vitamin for hair growth.<\/p>\n\n\n

The main concern with taking a prenatal when you aren\u2019t pregnant (or planning to be) is iron toxicity. Nonpregnant women need 18 milligrams of iron per day, compared to pregnant women who need 27 milligrams.<\/p>\n\n\n

Taking too much iron daily over a long period of time can lead to symptoms such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n