How much B12 should I take daily for hair growth? The lowest amount recommended that should be traceable in your body is 2.4 mcg. While you are looking for a difference in your hair growth you can increase this dosage to 3 mcg and beyond.
If you are low in vitamin B12, a common recommended dose for oral supplements is about 1,000 mcg daily. But you should make sure to ask your healthcare provider about how much vitamin B12 you should look for in a supplement.
In that same vein, adding vitamin B12 supplementation, like dietary supplements, to your routine won't suddenly make hair grow back. However, vitamin B12 may give you the appearance of fuller and thicker hair because the increase in oxygen to hair follicles can help stimulate the replacement of lost strands.
If your hair loss is a result of nutrient deficiency, it's reasonable to expect that by reversing the deficiency, you may reverse the hair loss, or at the very least stop it in its tracks.
For hair loss, it is suggested that you supplement with 3 mcg or more of B12 per day to see results.
A dose of 1,000 mcg or more is considered a high dose of vitamin B12, which is about 400% of the daily requirement of 2.4 mcg. Active absorption of vitamin B12 facilitated by intrinsic factor is limited to 1.5–2 mcg per meal due to the limited capacity of cubilin receptors.
Clinically proven to regrow hair in 3-6 months, no pills required.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.
How long does it take to recover from B12 deficiency? Once you begin treating your vitamin B12 deficiency, it can take up to six to 12 months to fully recover. It is also common to not experience any improvement during the first few months of treatment.
While biotin is one of the more popular supplements for hair, skin, and nails, the research supporting its benefits for people with adequate biotin intake is limited ( 2 ). Similarly, research is inconclusive on whether folate and vitamin B12 are effective for hair growth in people with adequate intakes ( 2 , 3 ).
Vitamin B12
As a general rule of thumb, take your B vitamins in the morning or with a meal. Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.
Your body absorbs only as much as it needs, and any excess passes through your urine. High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause: Headache. Nausea and vomiting.
Though doses of up to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B12 are considered safe, it's best to speak with a doctor to find out whether taking a supplement is necessary. Most people can fulfill their B12 needs through a nutrient-rich diet.
There is no upper limit for vitamin B12, and most supplements provide between 500 mcg to 5,000 mcg of B12 daily to meet various nutritional needs [2].
Biotin is well-known for being able to support hair health and growth, which is why you can't wrong with taking the supplement at least once a day. “Biotin (a form of vitamin B) is important for the energy production that many enzymes need,” New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD says.
While folic acid is essential in supporting healthy hair growth, it is not the only vitamin or supplement that benefits both the hair and skin. Rather, it's best to choose hair care supplements that include additional hair-boosting ingredients, such as B complex, vitamin B12 and biotin.
Supports healthy hair, skin, and nails. Given vitamin B12's role in cell production, adequate levels of this vitamin are needed to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails ( 36 ).
B12 deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, depression, pale or yellow skin, mental impairment, and pain and inflammation in the mouth and tongue. Many of the symptoms caused by low B12 levels are not specific to B12 deficiency, which can cause the condition to go undetected.
A high-dose B complex supplement (with 1,000 mcg of B-12) hurt, rather than helped, people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and advanced kidney disease, resulting in a worsening of kidney function and an increase in the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.
The Institute of Medicine's Food and Nutrition Board recommends that healthy adult men and women over 19 years old consume 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B-12 each day. Pregnant women need 2.6 micrograms daily and women who are breastfeeding need 2.8 micrograms daily.