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So you want to promote hair growth and make your hair follicles stronger, and you have more than a few bottles of biotin in your cabinet to prove it?
Hold that thought.
While biotin is a necessary mineral needed for hair health and growth, it’s not the only one on the block, nor is it always the most effective. Before you spend another dime on supplements — this is the one vitamin you should try this week for new hair growth.
It’s not that you don’t NEED biotin (you do!), it’s that a biotin deficiency is actually kind of rare and fueling up on biotin isn’t going to magically make your hair grow.
There are a number of causes of hair shedding and thinning that include aging, genetics, hormonal changes, certain medications, and a biggie — stress.
While it’s certainly possible that you are suffering from a nutritional deficiency that can be diagnosed by a doctor via blood tests (and then remedied with specific supplements), there’s also a very good chance your hair issues stem from stress.
And when it comes to combating stress with a pill, experts don’t always agree on what is most effective.
With that said, there is one natural ingredient that keeps popping up on everyone’s radar: a plant called ashwagandha.
According to Heathline: “Ashwagandha is best known for its stress-lowering effects. The medicinal herb appears to help lower levels of cortisol, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands in response to stress. More specifically, daily doses of 125 mg to 5 grams for 1–3 months have shown to lower cortisol levels by 11–32%”
Wondering which supplements you can take that contain ashwagandha? There are plenty — in a variety or price points.
One affordable option is this pure ashwagandha supplement, which contains 1950mg of the plant nutrient with black pepper extract — and zero fillers. The best part? It costs just $11.45.
Physician’s Choice Ashwaganda, $11.45, Amazon
Nutrafol
On the higher end of the supplement spectrum, you’ll find Nutrafol — a dedicated hair growth supplement that contains a cocktail of incredible and effective ingredients — including ashwagandha, vitamins A, C, and D, selenium, zinc — and yes, biotin.
Nutrafol, $79
