Can Vitamin Supplements Help Promote Hair Growth?

Kinda. Biotin (vitamin B7), Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Zinc, among others, are all linked to healthy hair growth; however, taking supplements will only help if your diet is deficient in these vitamins/micronutrients.

Biotin (vitamin B7) is a vitamin found in foods like eggs, milk, and bananas and can increase keratin, a protein found in your hair, nails, and skin.  A deficiency in Biotin can cause thinning of the hair, a rash on the face and brittle nails.

All cells need vitamin A for growth. This includes hair, the fastest growing tissue in the human body. Sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, spinach, and kale are all rich in beta-carotene, which is turned into vitamin A.

Vitamin D’s actual role in hair growth is not understood, but one form of hair loss is linked to deficiencies. You can increase vitamin D levels through sun exposure or by eating certain foods such as oily fish - salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel, red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods, including, some fat spreads and breakfast cereals.  

Zinc plays an important role in hair tissue growth and repair. It also helps keep the oil glands around the follicles working properly. Hair loss is a common symptom of zinc deficiency and studies show resolving zinc deficiency with supplementation may reduce deficiency-related hair loss. Foods high in zinc include oysters, beef, spinach, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, and lentils.