7 Nutrients To Get More Of If You're Dealing With Hair Loss

There are plenty of nutrients in food and hair supplements that boast incredible hair growth benefits (we see you, collagen), but did you know that certain vitamins, minerals, and bioactives can help combat hair loss and shedding?

It turns out there are quite a few mane-boosting vitamins and minerals that are commonly discussed when it comes to hair loss (and a few that aren't as common, like botanical bioactive).

All of these hair-healthy nutrients can be easily found in foods and targeted supplements.

Biotin may be the other darling of hair supplement formulas alongside collagen, but B7 isn't the only B vitamin that boosts hair growth.

Folic acid (aka folate or vitamin B9) is heavily involved with new cell synthesis, which can support the hair growth phase by promoting keratinization.

This essential vitamin promotes hair growth on two fronts. First, it increases the absorption of critical hair-boosting mineral iron (more on iron's hair benefits in a moment).

This vital nutrient truly does it all—including being critical for hair growth and promoting overall hair health, it turns out! Vitamin D3 (the superior form of D) interacts with hair follicles and has a direct impact on the hair growth phase.

Insufficient levels of vitamin D (which includes 41% of U.S. adults2, for the record) can decrease hair volume on the scalp and the rest of the body, William Gaunitz, FWTS-certified trichologist and founder of Advanced Trichology, previously told mindbodygreen.

This fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin is often touted for its skin benefits, but it happens to be a well-rounded beauty supplement ingredient that supports more than just skin health.

According to Gaunitz, iron is the single most important micronutrient when it comes to hair growth.

Globally important for whole-body well-being and downright vital to skin and hair health, we had to include antioxidants as its own category in this list of mane management supplement ingredients.

Thanks to their role in combating oxidative stress by fighting free radicals, antioxidants are able to help buffer against hair shedding, dullness, graying, and other hair concerns.

So, there you have it.

Adding the nutrients from this list of mane-boosting vitamins, minerals, and botanicals to your diet is a surefire way to promote hair growth and health.

That said, if you choose to supplement with any of these nutrients, you should make sure to choose a formula with efficacious doses (i.e., one that doesn't "fairy dust" any vital vitamins or minerals) and that the most bioavailable form of each ingredient is included.

If you're dealing with hair loss, shedding, or thinning, you can support hair growth and bolster your overall hair health with the nourishing vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients on this list.