It's no secret that prenatal vitamins are packed with
a slew of essential nutrients like folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin
D, and others that help support baby's development and protect against
or birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord, called neural tube
defects. But could they also deliver an admittedly less important but
still appealing perk for non-pregnant women—longer, faster-growing hair and smoother skin?
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Recently, it seems like everyone I talk to is taking
prenatal vitamins for the beauty benefits. The trend appears to have
gotten Hollywood's stamp of approval, too. A quick Google search
confirms that LeAnn Rimes, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Mindy Kaling all swear
by prenatals for red carpet-ready strands. "[Prenatal vitamins] will not
only scare your boyfriend, [they] will make your hair grow faster,
thicker, and keep your skin glow-y and smooth," Kaling said a few years ago.
So should us non-pregnant folks be stocking up on
prenatal vitamins at the pharmacy? After all, many reproductive-age
women take prenatals when trying to conceive but before they're actually
pregnant. Doctors often recommend this, in fact, since neural tubes
develop in the very earliest stages of pregnancy. But are there any
long-term side effects to consider, or reasons you might want to stick
to a regular multivitamin instead?
We polled dermatologists, nutritionists, and a GI doc
to find out what they think. Ava Shamban, MD, a Beverly Hills
dermatologist and founder of SKINxFIVE, tells us that it's probably OK
for a non-pregnant woman to take prenatals, even though the vitamins
contain more than the average non-pregnant woman might need. "They are
calculated for the needs of a pregnant woman, not an elephant," she
says. Some people might notice a difference in their skin and hair after
using them, she adds.
But other experts we spoke to warned against taking these pills when you're not trying to conceive.
"For the first few months after having a baby—when
you may not have time to eat a balanced diet and feel exhausted—taking
prenatal vitamins is fine," says Health's contributing medical
editor Roshini Rajapaksa, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at the
NYU School of Medicine. "But long term, they have higher than necessary
amounts of certain vitamins and minerals that can cause [negative] side
effects."
[post_ads]Two in particular to be aware of are iron and folic acid,
Dr. Rajapaksa says. Some women can benefit from an iron supplement,
such as young women with especially heavy periods and, of course,
moms-to-be (the nutrient aids baby's brain development and helps prevent
iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy). But too much of this mineral can be a bad thing.
"Taking more iron than you need all the time can lead to constipation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or worse," says Cynthia Sass, RD, MPH, Health's contributing nutrition editor.
Folic acid, too, can be dangerous in large amounts,
and is "one of the most significant differences you'll find in comparing
a prenatal and regular multivitamin," says Stephanie Middleberg, RD, a
nutritionist based in New York City. This B vitamin is important during
pregnancy because it helps prevent neural tube defects and pre-term
birth. While you don't have to worry about overdoing it on folate–the
natural form of folic acid found in foods like fruits, veggies, and
nuts–through diet, consuming too much in supplement form might mask a vitamin B12 deficiency or even up your risk of colorectal cancer, according to the National Institutes of Health.
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Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD, a San Diego-based nutritionist and author of Eat Clean, Stay Lean ( amazon.com)
tells us she does recommend prenatals to her female athlete clients
since athletes tend to have a greater risk of low iron levels, as well
as to women who think they might get pregnant soon. But she points out
that other than folic acid, iron, and the essential fatty acid DHA, the
vitamins and minerals in most prenatals are pretty standard. For that
reason, "prenatals may not give an additional 'boost' above a regular
quality multivitamin," she notes.
If you're after longer hair, Debra Jaliman, MD, a
dermatologist based in New York City, recommends a daily biotin
supplement for non-pregnant women instead. She suggests one that
contains 2.5 milligrams (2,500 micrograms) of the B vitamin, such as
Nature Made High Potency Biotin Softgels (amazon.com).
Another option is collagen peptides, which Middleberg says she often
recommends for healthier skin, hair, and nails. Our pick: Vital Proteins
Collagen Peptides (amazon.com), which you can easily mix into smoothies or juice.
The bottom line? While some people may notice
faster-growing hair from taking prenatals, it's not necessarily a good
idea to take high levels of vitamins you don't need. Always consult your
doctor before taking any new supplements to make sure they're right for
you, and look for reputable brands with not too many extra filler
ingredients, Bazilian says. Most importantly, don't forget to drink
enough water, get plenty of sleep, manage your stress, and fill your
plate with lots of fresh produce, healthy fats, lean proteins, and
fiber—all are key to a healthy body inside and out.
"It may not be as easy as popping a pill, but a
healthy lifestyle will benefit you in numerous ways without posing
unnecessary risks," says Sass.
