Hair needs certain nutrients to grow healthy and strong, and vitamin B12 is one of them! In fact, vitamin B12 not only helps promote healthy hair, but it can help support better overall health in general. Keep reading to learn how and why vitamin B12 is important for hair and how to get thicker, healthier-looking hair.
What is Vitamin B12?
Also known as cobalamin, vitamin B12 is one of the eight B vitamins. Your body needs vitamin B12 to convert the food you eat into energy, which is why people with a vitamin B12 deficiency sometimes feel sluggish and fatigued. Vitamin B12 also plays a role in cell formation, immune system functioning, and mood regulation.
Vitamin B12 for Hair Growth
So what role does vitamin B12 play in hair growth? Vitamin B12 is important for the creation of red blood cells, which nourish the hair follicles with nutrients and oxygen for healthy hair growth.
Since vitamin B12 also plays a role in cell formation, hair follicles may not be able to grow new hair as efficiently when vitamin B12 levels are low. So one side effect of a vitamin B12 deficiency may be hair loss.
However, you can’t diagnose a vitamin B12 deficiency based on hair growth patterns alone. If you suspect that you have a vitamin B12 deficiency or are concerned about hair loss, ask your doctor about it.
Sources of B12
Your body doesn’t make vitamin B12 on its own. So, it’s important to consume vitamin B12 daily, either through your diet or through supplements. Animal products, like meat and dairy, are the most common sources of vitamin B12. However, some foods that don’t naturally contain vitamin B12 may be fortified with this nutrient.
Vitamin B12 foods:
- Clams
- Sardines
- Liver
- Beef
- B12-fortified cereals
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Cheese
- B12-fortified non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk)
- Eggs
If you consume too much vitamin B12, your body generally can store it for later use. If you’re concerned about your B12 intake, supplements are available. Many multivitamins contain vitamin B12. But be sure to check with your doctor before starting a supplement.
Beyond B12: 3 More Ways to Get Thicker, Healthier-Looking Hair
1. Eat a Healthy Diet
Although you may need vitamin B12 for hair, B12 isn’t the only nutrient necessary for healthy hair growth. Make sure you’re consuming enough hair-healthy vitamins and minerals by eating a diet filled with plenty of lean meats, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Or take a clinically proven hair growth dietary supplement.
2. Avoid Breakage for Longer Lengths
No matter what you eat, average hair growth rates are generally around one-half inch per month. So if you want longer, healthier-looking hair, you’ll have to work to avoid breakage and keep as much of that length as possible.
Wash your hair about three or four times per week, depending on your hair type, with a gentle shampoo like Toppik Hair Building Shampoo. Always follow shampoo with a high-quality, moisturizing conditioner like Toppik Hair Building Conditioner to keep hair hydrated.
Be extra gentle when detangling your hair, and only use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair (which is more fragile that dry hair).
Finally, skip the too-tight hairstyles and avoid using heat to style your hair whenever possible.
3. Create the Look of Thicker Hair
Use Toppik Hair Building Fibers to conceal thinning hair and make it look instantly thicker. Toppik Hair Fibers are made of keratin protein, the same protein as your hair, so they blend undetectably with hair. They cling to existing hairs with electromagnetic energy, building the look of thickness in seconds. Plus, they come in nine different shades and work with all hair textures! Toppik Fibers are the perfect option for creating the illusion of thicker hair.
Vitamin B12 is important for hair, but it’s not the only factor involved in hair growth. If you’re concerned about thinning hair or slower growth, talk to your doctor about the possible causes of your thinning hair and your treatment options. Take steps to avoid breakage and damage, and add Toppik Fibers to your daily routine to make your hair look thicker instantly.Â