Prenatal Vitamins and Hair Growth

When the average consumer thinks of prenatal vitamins, one considers them a significant dietary supplement for a healthy pregnancy. The vitamin supplements widely available on the international market today cater to the dietary needs of both the mother who is expecting and her unborn child. It is the widespread belief of most practicing physicians and midwives that prenatal vitamins are an essential supplement to a well-balanced diet for a woman who is expecting. One does not usually think of prenatal vitamins and hair growth having much to do with each other.

However, some mothers-to-be have claimed that one of the wonderful side effects of their prenatal vitamins was an increase in the volume and length of their hair. If prenatal vitamins did promote hair growth, it would be an additional incentive for women to take them, especially because many women experience some degree of hair loss due to changes in hormone levels following their child’s birth.

While scientific studies and experimentation have neither denied nor confirmed the relationship between prenatal vitamins and hair growth, there is just cause to speculate. One of the vital nutrients that prenatal vitamins provide is folic acid, which is known to significantly decrease the risk of neural tube defects. However, as other B-complex vitamins, folic acid is known to quicken cell production. Furthermore, it is a common ingredient in many hair care products. Thus, those who support the notion that prenatal vitamins and hair growth are related have some basis behind their claims.

Although it is yet to be determined whether the use of prenatal vitamins may instigate hair growth, there are other ways to promote your hair that are already scientifically accepted. All women, both those who are expecting and those who are not, may aid the growth of their hair through the supplementation of additional fruits and vegetables into their diet. By increasing the consumption of many fruits and vegetables, the body is fed a larger supply of the flavonoid antioxidants. These nutrients both increase the growth and protection of hair follicles. In addition, antioxidants have numerous other health benefits that span far greater than hair growth alone.

Thus, pregnant women should continue their daily regiment of prenatal vitamins, whether or not a relationship exists between prenatal vitamins and hair growth. The nutrients from the multivitamin will support a healthy pregnancy. If a mother-to-be gains a glossier head of hair in addition to a healthy newborn, then consider it a lucky bonus.