Say Goodbye to Split Ends – Six Vitamins for Hair and Nails

Almost every woman I know is constantly seeking to have gorgeous hair and nails. And no wonder – when you see someone else walking down the street with rocking hair or flawless nails, you take notice. Having a healthy diet and exercising often can certainly have an effect on the appearance of your hair and nails, but sometimes that just doesn't cut it! Luckily, there are any number of natural supplements that you can take to increase the vibrancy and health of your hair and nails. We’re here today to look at the best vitamins for hair and nails.

One of the major vitamins that is recommended for hair and nail growth and health is biotin. It’s found in small amounts in a lot of foods. If you want to try to naturally increase your intake of biotin, increase your intake of eggs, milk, and bananas. Otherwise, pick up a biotin supplement at your local grocery store. Just be sure that you only take it in the recommended dosage.

Biotin is a form of vitamin B (also known as B7), and it helps your digestive system break down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy you need for the day. You’re probably getting a fair amount of biotin as it is (and your body doesn’t need much). You can’t really overdose on the vitamin because it’s water-soluble, so it flushes through your system really quickly. However, it can mess up your levels on lab results and have other minor side effects for the big picture.

The building block of your hair, collagen is another great supplement to take if you’re wanting your hair to grow faster and stronger. Collagen production naturally decreases with age (and the process can be helped along by sun exposure). Eating a healthy balanced diet can increase your body’s production of collagen, but you can also choose to take a supplement.

Collagen is a protein, actually one of the most abundant proteins in your body. On top of its benefits for your skin, hair, and nails, collagen also protects your joints and muscles from damage. It’s a great supplement for people with chronic muscular conditions or arthritis.

I’m starting to think this one might be magic. I’ve been taking zinc for years as a natural remedy to fight off colds – it works great for me despite skepticism by some professionals. It’s generally agreed that there are no adverse side effects to taking zinc, so the more things I find out it does, the more excited I am!

Zinc is a great treatment for acne and, of course, it’s included in this article because it also works wonders on your nails and hair. You can increase your dietary zinc levels by eating more beans, nuts, and shellfish, but the supplements are easy to get your hands on and delicious. The ones I like are similar to Sweet-Tarts and orange flavored.

Zinc is a chemical that’s required in trace amounts for the human body to function properly. Like I said, there aren’t side effects of increasing the amount of zinc in your body (unless you go way beyond the recommended dosage). There are, however, extensive side effects of zinc deficiency. These include loss of appetite, anemia, and hair loss among others. Not only will it naturally help your hair and nails to be stronger, it also prevents a host of other problems!

Fish oil supplements are a good choice for hair and nail care because of their high concentration of Omega-3. Omega-3 is a fatty acid that your body needs for a variety of reasons – including keeping your brain healthy! Fish oil is one of the best sources of polyunsaturated fat (though you could go for flaxseed oil if you want a vegan alternative) and will naturally make your hair shinier and stronger.

It also increases the density of your nail beds, helping to fight breakage and give you generally healthier and more beautiful nails. As with most of the other vitamins and supplements in this article, fish oil also has a host of other benefits. It fights breast cancer and asthma symptoms, and there’s research into the idea of using omega-3 as a treatment for depression.

This is one of the only brand specific supplements I found, but it’s a keeper. Designed specifically to increase the health of your hair, skin, and nails, Phyto’s Phytophanere supplement has great reviews for its effectiveness. Phyto is a French botanical company and their mission is to find natural, botanically-based beauty solutions for their customers.

This particular supplement is touted to give you “fuller, thicker, and shinier hair” and also “strengthens nails and supports glowing skin”. Every review on their website gives it 5 stars, and it came up a few other places in recommended reviews. The supplement contains vitamin E, omega-3 and omega-6, vitamins B & C, and pro-vitamin A.

While this supplement is certainly on the more expensive side, everything I’ve seen makes it look like it’s totally worth it. The company recommends getting a bottle twice a year (in the spring and fall, when seasons are changing) and taking two pills a day until the supplement is gone. If you really want to spring for this treatment, go ahead and invest in the shampoo treatment that goes with it. Some customers say they can see visible results in just two weeks with the combination!

There are a lot of potential supplements out there that can help with hair and nail growth and health. If you want to start by taking a completely natural route, increase the amount of eggs, bananas, nuts, milk, and shellfish in your diet. Otherwise, don’t be afraid to try one or two of these supplements. Just be careful that you’re reading and obeying the recommended dosage instructions! Beauty is important, but wellness is better long-term.

Do you have a home remedy for hair growth or nail strength that I missed? Did you try one of these and have a total flop or incredible, mind-boggling results? As always, let me know in the comments.