I’ve heard a number of theories on how to achieve luscious locks, from eating eggs every day to brushing your hair while still in the shower. But one of the strangest hair theories out there is that taking prenatal vitamins helps hair (and nail) growth. Could it be true?
Let me preface this entry by saying that I haven’t consulted a doctor about taking prenatal vitamins when not pregnant. Only the good ol’ Internet and past experience have been my guide, so this is a research post as opposed to a “go out and take these” one. Got it? Good!
For those who don’t know, prenatal vitamins are supplements pregnant women take, which provide additional nutrients to her and the fetus. These vitamins are filled with woman-healthy goodies like iron, folic acid and other magic stuff. And apparently this concoction can have some pretty great side effects. Not-pregnant Jezebel writer Jenna Sauers reviewed some prenatal vitamins she currently takes, and the results sound impressive:
I’ve been taking them for a couple months and I’m not dead yet. In fact, I feel great and my hair, skin, and nails all look heaps better. My boobs, too…What I also love is that my nails are growing in stronger and less flaky than before. I’ve noticed a huge improvement, and as a lifelong-nail-biter-turned-manicure-obsessive, my nails were in pretty bad condition before these vitamins came into my life. They were soft and brittle and now they’re long and hard and look great even unpolished…My skin looks better than usual, too. And my boobs are ever so slightly bigger.
While Jenna says that she hasn’t seen hair improvement yet, I can attest to it! I took prenatal vitamins my senior year of high school, and saw notable changes in my locks. While the bottle certainly startled my Catholic school teachers at times, it was worth it for the shiny, thick mane I had. (I would have continued to take them, but then college struck and I didn’t have money to spend on vitamins that are more expensive than daily health supplements.) Now, I admit that I have thick, semi-healthy hair to begin with, so I can’t attest to their effect on other types. But they worked well on what I have! Perhaps it’s time for a trip to the drugstore vitamin aisle. [via Jezebel and Livestrong]
Have you ever tried taking prenatal vitamins for beauty reasons? How did it work? If not, would you give them a shot?
guest
i totally vouch for pre-natal vitamins helping with skin, hair and nails. They are a stronger dosage that is time-released in your body, giving you all day nutrition.
I think that women should give it a try, but not stay on it more then a year because your body will build a dependency.
guest
i take them, it’s wonderful. my nails would flake off & die & i’d have some ugly hair if not for prenatal vitamins.
guest
When my husband was in the army, the health clinic would provide vitamins for free. Prenatal vitamins were what women got, so I took them for quite a while. Didn’t notice any real changes in my hair, nail, and skin health, but they definitely didn’t hurt me.
I’m not surprised that some women do notice those changes though. A SAD diet is pretty vitamin and mineral deficient. Getting those nutrients is a big, happy change for your body.
peony / 1 posts
I have taken them in the past to make my nails and hair grow and they really do work! (for me) They are higher in folic acid (which is a type of B vitamin) and Essential Fatty Acids (which are good for a number of things including skin, hair, and nails) than regular vitamins. The kind I take doesn’t have any iron in it, so I have to be sure to take an iron supplement with it.
I have never heard of someone “building a dependency” to vitamins. The only thing that could be harmful would be if you were taking too much iron, and lots of prenatal vitamins have increased amounts of it. (this can actually be fatal)
Of course, these are all just my own personal opinions and observations.
peony / 2 posts
Im not the best eater, I love junk food
and to feel better (mentally and physically) I have been taking prenatal pills for almost 6 years now. I used to have acne would use Proactive, since vitamins I used a regular face wash and don’t break out. Before prenatals I was a huge nail bitter, since prenatals I have no need to bite my nails because they are no longer weak or brittle, they are strong and long. There is no real proof but from personal experience I believe that my body has benefitted and will continue to benefit from vitamins, whether they are prenatal or daily vitamins =) If you would like to watch a documentary on the benefits of vitamins and good eating trying Netflixing “Food Matters”. I watched it last week and was really impressed on how much we don’t know… nor do Dr’s about the benefits of vitamins. To sum up the documentary, our bodies are in need of vitamins, more than we are taught…and we are told “too much could be dangerous” because if everyone was healthy then there would be no money to be made in the medical field.