Here's What To Know About Folic Acid And Its Hair Care Benefits

When it comes to growing out your hair, the process can be a slow and sometimes difficult one. At times it can seem like forever to see any progress, but several things can help you in your hair growth journey: One of these is folic acid.

Although folic acid is often taken in a supplement form, it can also be found in many healthy foods such as peanuts, beans, sunflower seeds, liver, whole grains, fresh fruit, dark leafy greens, and eggs, per Harvard University. It is also often added to foods like cereal, pasta, and bread.

Folic acid is a B vitamin crucial for forming red blood cells and having healthy cell function. It is also one of the most important vitamins given to pregnant women to help reduce the risk of birth defects in the early stages of gestation. Per Mayo Clinic, folic acid is also considered to be great for reducing the risk of heart disease, treating depression, and has even been suggested to reduce the risk of some cancer. But did you know it can also help those looking to add length to their hair? 

If you've been searching for a way to boost your hair growth, you might want to consider adding folic acid to your vitamin regime. Speaking to Women's Health, Joshua Zeichner, MD explained that taking a folic acid supplement regularly will aid in the production of hair follicles, which will help your hair grow fuller and stronger. This is particularly beneficial for those dealing with hair loss, which is often linked to folic acid deficiency. can also prevent premature graying of the hair, add volume to your mane, and make your strands shiny.

Folic acid is known for aiding in tissue growth, which is beneficial to cell production and vital to hair, skin, and nails. Folate can also allow for the metabolization of fat, carbs, and protein, which will help the body absorb nutrients better and ensure that hair follicles get the nutrition they need to support healthy hair growth, per Stylecraze.

Folic acid can be used with other vitamins, such as zinc, or taken with biotin to help speed up the hair growth process as well. In addition, adding folate-rich foods to your diet is another great way to utilize the benefits of folic acid and improve your hair health. The CDC recommended that adults get about 400 mcg of folic acid a day. While folate is a great choice to add to your hair care routine, many other vitamins could also be beneficial.

If you are looking to add some supplements for hair health into your daily life, there are many to choose from. Vitamin C is beneficial for many things, and among them is hair health. The vitamin aids in the production of collagen and protein and can ramp up the health of your hair. Vitamin D is also great for producing new hair follicles and allowing growth. "The number one vitamin that's not respected enough as a serious cause of hair not growing back in TE is a vitamin D deficiency," Sapna Palep, M.D., tells Prevention.

Iron is another great supplement that could change your hair, especially if you suffer from anemia-related hair loss. B12 can also combat thinning and brittle hair, while OMega-3 fatty acids can add protein and strength to your locks, per Women's Health. There are also many supplements on the market that specifically target hair growth and other hair issues. In addition, a dry hair oil may also give your fantastic results. 

While growing out your hair can seem daunting at times, improving your changes with supplements and diet changes can be a huge help. Whether you choose folic acid, or another method, be sure to do your research and consult your doctor before making any big changes.