Hair Vitamins: Do They Really Work? What YOU Should Know!
“Hair vitamins and supplements” are terms searched over thousands of times every single day, reports Google.
Billions of dollars are spent every year on supplements, lotions, and potions for hair growth or hair loss treatment depending on how you choose to look at it.
You know, “the glass half full or half empty” analogy? How do we know what to take? What is an excessive amount? What constitutes an adequate dosage?
In this article, we’ll break down the ingredients commonly found in hair vitamins and supplements, explaining how they work and the benefits they offer for your hair.
Hair vitamins
Biotin and B Vitamins
Also known as Vitamin H, Biotin (and other B vitamins) is known to promote hair growth and nail thickness.
Biotin plays an important role in healthy cell formation and is often deficient in people suffering from hair loss. It’s also essential for the healthy metabolization of fats, amino acids, and carbohydrates.
Biotin is the most well-known, but additional B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, and folate (B9) also support healthy hair growth, as B vitamins create red blood cells which carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto, derived from the berries of the palm tree native to the southeastern United States, offers multiple benefits for hair health.
Firstly, it prevents the body from converting testosterone into DHT, thereby helping to prevent hair loss.
It also lowers inflammation in the body and scalp which is key to preventing hair loss and stimulating hair growth. It is also known for its ability to strengthen the hair follicle, further contributing to overall hair health.
Moving on to others with credible studied evidence to promote cell production, follicle and scalp stimulation…
Copper
Copper, known for its role in maintaining the integrity of tissues within blood vessels, could have a significant impact on hair health.
Thus, copper peptides, in particular, may possibly stimulate hair follicles, so they receive adequate oxygen and nutrients to produce new hair growth.
Iron
Another mineral that your hair needs is iron. It helps boost circulation and carries oxygen to your hair’s roots, which helps the hair grow faster and longer. Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.
When low iron levels are detected, it is recommended ferritin levels be tested as well.
While these nutrients promote hair growth, it’s important to consider potential drawbacks, especially in the case of Biotin, which has received attention from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FDA Warning
FDA warns (read the full report here) that certain supplements, including hair vitamins such as biotin, may interfere with lab tests and cause an incorrect result on Thyroid lab testing.
Here’s why
Taking extremely high doses of biotin supplements, beyond the recommended daily intake, can lead to excess biotin in the bloodstream.
This surplus of biotin can saturate the binding sites utilized in certain laboratory tests, including those used to assess thyroid function.
These tests rely on biotin binding to specific molecules to produce accurate results within typical biotin intake levels.
However, the saturation of binding sites due to excess biotin can lead to inaccurate test results.
This poses a significant concern, particularly for individuals with thyroid conditions who rely on these tests for health monitoring and treatment decisions.
Such inaccuracies can result in misdiagnosis or improper management of thyroid disorders.
What’s next
Next week, we will complete the list with a few more to consider: amino acids, trace minerals, vitamin D, and others!
If you have additional questions or concerns about your current supplement intake or what you should consider for your specific hair and scalp challenges, contact the team of Certified Nutritional Coaches at HPIHair for more answers to the root of your concern.
