The Benefit of Vitamins

On my search for products that will help benefit the hair and enhance hair growth I have found that a lot of my fellow hair divas invest in two main things: a great conditioner and hair vitamins. Now I definitely see the benefit of taking vitamins. I mean if nothing else it is a great way to ensure the body gets what it needs on a daily basis question. My question however is whether or not "hair vitamins" in particular are really worth the money. Now I've seen a number of companies making the claim that their product can make the hair grow up to 200% faster and thicker. Hmm,well I'm not sure how true that is, because we all have a maximum rate of growth, which means we can not go beyond that point, no matter what we are taking or doing to our hair. However, I do believe it is possible to consistently achieve our maximum growth rate if we are at optimum health (e.g. well balance meals, minimal stress, adequate sleep and water), which is where vitamins come in. I personally don't eat as well as I should, so vitamins definitely help out in terms of my overall health. But I have also been giving some thought to taking additional vitamins to see if they will enhance my hair growth potential. So I've been doing some research. I decided to look up the nutritional content of one popular brand currently on the market (e.g. HairFinity) and what I have noticed is the fact that this vitamin (excluding 1 ingredient) has the same supplement content as a general multivitamin!

Here is the nutritional content of HairFinity: 

(2 capsules include)

Vitamin A             8150 IU

Vitamin B1           5 mg
Vitamin B2           5 mg

Vitamin B3           5 mg

Vitamin B6           5 mg

Folic Acid             200 mcg

Vitamin B12         20 mcg

Vitamin C             100 mg

Vitamin D3           100 IU

Biotin                    2500 mcg
Pantothenic Acid  100 mg

Calcium                 217 mg

Capilsana Blend    970 mg
(MSM, Hydrolyzed Collagen providing amino acids, Horsetail)           

1 Month supply: $30.00 CDN 

Here is the nutritional content of my multivitamin:

(2 capsules include)

Vitamin A                242 IU*

Vitamin B1               6 mg

Vitamin B2               1.67 mg

Vitamin B3               77 mg

Pantothenic Acid      67 mg

Vitamin B6               17 mg

Vitamin B12             431 mcg

Folic Acid                 533 mcg

Choline                     66 mg

Inositol                      66 mg

Vitamin C                  140 mg

Vitamin D3                667 IU

Vitamin E                  73 mg

Biotin                         200 mcg*

Calcium                     43 mg*

Zinc                           7 mg

MSM                       0 mg

Horsetail                    0 mg

Amino Acids              0 mg

1 Month Supply: $15.63 CDN

Now, it is obvious that there are some ingredients in the HairInfinity has that my multivitamin just does not have, but the research I've done on taking MSM in such high quality I think I will pass anyway. Also, the multivitamin I take seems to fall short in some other key ingredients (e.g. Vitamin A, Biotin*, Calcium* and Silica*) as well, but it surpasses the HairInfinity in terms of other vitamins and minerals that the body (and hair) needs. I should mention that I also take separate vitamins because I am a vegetarian (Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, iron and protein powders supplying 18 essential amino acids). Finally, research shows that t is impossible for the body to absorb all the vitamins and minerals found in a multivitamin at the same time. They all compete to reach vital channel in the body, so many are lost. Therefore, it is suggested that you take a multivitamin throughout the day (3 times a day) to ensure proper nutrition and full absorption of each nutrient as the body will absorbs what it still needs with each additional pill. Given this fact it, it would be hard to believe you are gaining all the nutritional benefits found of a hair vitamin unless you are taking it this way.

I don't know, but I think if you are eating a balanced diet (which should always be the primary source of your nutrition due to higher absorption rate), then you are okay with a simple multivitamin to meet your needs. Just my opinion, but something to consider. I may complete a hair vitamin challenge just to prove this point though, LOL.