Vitamin Challenge - What are the benefits of Prenatal Vitamins?

Image via curlydeviants.com

Remember that prenatal/fish oil challenge I started about a month ago? Well I've been taking my prenatals as my daily vitamins faithfully, and I'm seeing results. While my hair seems to have grown at its normal rate this month, it does seem stronger, and was surprisingly resilient after my dye experiment. My skin and nails have also seen some improvement - my skin seems healthier (less prone to pimples and definitely more radiant), my nails are stronger, and I feel more energized.

Typically prenatals contain: Vitamin A, D, E, C, Folic Acid, B1, B2, Niacin, B6, B12, Calcium, Iron, Zinc, Thiamin, Riboflavin, and WARNING - they may contain stool softeners that can cause cramping and diarrhea. These vitamins, retinoids and antioxidants are generally found in daily mutlti-vitamins, but often in different ratios. Some of the benefits are as follows: 

Source: http://pregnancy.lifetips.com

Vitamin A - this retinoid is good for our vision, our immune system (particularly by keeping our skin and mucous membranes healthy) and cell growth; 

Source: www.webmd.com/vitamins 

Vitamin D - its most important function is regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and facilitating normal immune system function in our bodies. It aids in the growth and development if our teeth and bones, and without sufficient amount they may develop abnormally. In addition Vitamin D aids in fighting certain diseases;

Source: www.healthline.com

Vitamin E - it is an antioxidant that helps boost immunity levels, and it is good for ones skin and hair. Vitamin E promotes the circulation of blood to the scalp and helps nourish the cells. It also speeds up cell regeneration and can help adults with such problems as wrinkles, scars and acne;

Source: www.newsmax.com

Vitamin C - it is another antioxidant. It's needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to form proteins that build skin, ligaments, blood vessels and tendons. It assists in healing tears to the skin (including the scalp) and maintaining ones bones, teeth and cartilage;

Source: www.nytimes.com

B Vitamins - as a group they include Thiamin (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Folate/Folic Acid (B9), Biotin (B7) and Niacin (B3) and help with cell metabolism (meaning that they speed up the growth cycle), work together to form healthy nerves, improve muscle function, and help prevent certain cancers and heart disease. 

• B1 and B2 are important for healthy functioning of the muscles, nerves, and heart
• B3 helps regulate the nervous and digestive systems
• B5 and B12 are required for normal growth and development
• B6 supports the immune system and aids the body in breaking down protein
• B7 is involved in the production of hormones
• B9 helps cells make and maintain DNA, and lowers the chances of birth defects and certain cancers; 

Sources: Dr. Oz show, altmedicine.about.com

Biotin - additionally, B7 is the hair powerhouse! Supplements have been found to be effective for healthy hair, shine, increased growth rate, reduced hair loss (alopecia). Biotin also promotes healthier looking skin and strong nails. If you are happy with your current multi-vitamin, but are interested in speeding the growth of your hair and nails - a biotin supplement may serve you as well or better than taking prenatals;

For the complete article see: http://m.voices.yahoo.com/a-biotin-hair-growth-supplement-benefits-more-than-9085243.html

Thiamin - B1, helps convert glucose into energy;

Riboflavin - B2, is important for skin health;

Source: www.stylecraze.com

Calcium - as everyone knows it is vital for the development of strong and healthy bones and teeth. And for the maintenance of those bones later on in life. Increasingly researchers are also finding that it helps with healthy weight loss, apparently higher levels of calcium help promote fat burn instead of fat storage;

Source: www.sheknows.com

Iron - without sufficient iron in the system, hair can and will become thin, dull, dry and prone to breakage and loss. Sufficient levels are essential to the nutrition and oxygenization of the hair's roots; and 

Source: www.stylecraze.com

Zinc - also provides hair health benefits. Insufficient zinc levels may result in loss of hair, hair that looks thin and dull and that goes grey early. There are also a number of shampoos which contain zinc to help prevent dandruff.

Source: Zinc.org

Go to any of the sources listed above to find out more about the benefits of each of these vitamins. I've got about 55 days to go. Please join me! Have you taken prenatals? Biotin supplements? What were your results?

And if you'd like to eat your way to better hair, read these two posts:

5 FANTASTIC Foods for Your Hair

and

Eating for a Healthy Scalp (& Hair)

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Write by: Unknown - Tuesday, March 11, 2014