Certain vitamins, such as biotin, help your fingernails and hair grow longer. You may have even heard that prenatal vitamins promote longer, thicker hair and longer, stronger fingernails. Claims of prenatal vitamins growing longer hair and stronger fingernails are unproven, according to the MayoClinic.com. Before you begin any vitamin regimen, ask your health care provider what's right for you.
Biotin
The name biotin is derived from the Greek word bios. Biotin, also known alternately as vitamin Bw or vitamin H, helps fingernails and hair grow. It's also necessary for healthy skin. Biotin encourages cellular growth and helps maintain cell function. Without biotin, certain enzymes would not be able to function properly. Biotin is not included among the prenatal vitamins.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins focus on the expectant or breastfeeding mother or the fetus, according to MayoClinic.com. Women who are pregnant or nursing require more of certain vitamins, such as folic acid, calcium and iron, than a woman who is neither. The fetus or nursing baby requires additional nutrients from the mother, which is why prenatal vitamins are so important. They provide these additional nutrients for the mom and baby.
Claims
Prenatal vitamins focus on providing calcium, folic acid and iron, according to the Mayo Clinic. While all of those nutrients are important for your body, especially an expecting or nursing mom, none of them provide additional aid in hair or nail growth. Prenatal vitamins do not include biotin, according to MedlinePlus, which is essential for hair and fingernail growth.
Warning
While prenatal vitamins may be safe for healthy adults to take, you should not take prenatal vitamins unless directed to do so by your physician. Since they contain higher amounts of iron than ordinary vitamins, the iron could build up in your system and cause constipation, nausea and vomiting. Death could result in severe cases of iron buildup in your system.
Considerations
If you want to grow out your fingernails or make them stronger, consider taking a biotin supplement or consuming biotin-rich foods such as leafy, green vegetables. Biotin deficiency is rare in the U.S. so your diet may already provide abundant biotin. According to MedlinePlus, healthy adults can safely consume 30 mcg per day. Ask your doctor what dosage he recommends if you decide to opt for a biotin supplement.
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