Pills to Make Hair Grow

Taking any kind of pills, all-natural or not, for hair growth has been rumored to be a quick solution for fast hair growth. However, the human body has certain limitations, and even adding additional vitamins and minerals to your body may not result in the desired amount of hair growth.

Facts

• Hair grows at an average rate of 1/4 inch a month. This varies slightly depending on the individual. Hair is made up of roughly 91 percent protein, but rarely is protein deficiency the cause of slow hair growth. The body must effectively metabolize amino acids, fatty acids and carbohydrates to grow hair at an optimum rate. Adding the vitamins involved in metabolizing these acids and carbohydrates is as easy as taking a pill (vitamin supplement) or adding a few healthful foods to your diet.

Types

• Vitamin A ensures that the scalp produces the oils it needs to keep hair healthy and prevent breakage. B vitamins, especially biotin, have been prescribed by doctors for hair restoration. Biotin is required for metabolizing fats, carbohydrates and amino acids in the body, a process that is crucial for optimum and healthy hair growth. Vitamin C and vitamin E also play roles in the processes by which hair grows. A multivitamin is likely the most effective way to get all of these nutrients, without changing your diet.

Benefits

• If your hair grows significantly slower than the average growth rate for hair, you may be deficient in one or more of the vitamins that are necessary for growing healthy hair. Those vitamin deficiencies may be affecting other bodily processes that you are not even aware of. Compensating for these deficiencies via supplements or dietary changes is likely to improve bodily processes and increase energy levels.

Considerations

• Hair growth is directly impacted by your general health. Optimum hair growth can occur naturally with diet and exercise. If the body is healthy, great hair will surely follow. Add biotin to your diet by including eggs, and vitamins C and E are easily added to your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. While hair is composed mainly of protein, protein deficiency is unlikely unless you are a vegetarian. If you suspect protein deficiency, this is best addressed with your health-care provider before you add more protein to your meals. If you are not vitamin deficient, taking these vitamins is unlikely to result in increased hair growth.

Warning

• Many hair-care products and dietary supplements claim that using them will result in faster hair growth. These products, however, are not FDA approved. They are not universally recognized as a solution for rapid hair growth. Taking any type of pill or dietary supplement, all-natural or not, may result in changes to your general health. Always check with your health-care provider before adding these supplements to your diet.