While the number one benefit of taking folic acid — and its natural form folate — is to prevent the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) in babies, there are a number of other benefits to making the B vitamin a part of your regular daily regimen.

One of those is the promotion of healthy hair and the potential delay of greying and hair loss as we age.

Folic acid helps your body make new cells, including blood cells, skin, hair, and nails, according to the CDC.

Multiple studies, including one published in 2017, found a link between folic acid deficiency and premature greying.

Because folic acid helps with the synthesis of DNA nucleotides and amino acids, some older research — including this study published in 1993 — has explored whether it could add volume and shine to your hair, but this hasn’t been well studied.

While there isn’t enough information to guarantee that taking folic acid every day will lead to an increase in hair growth, what we can say is that not getting enough folate can affect your hair. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements lists changes in hair, skin, and fingernail color among the signs of folate deficiency.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that anyone who could become pregnant get 400 mcg of folic acid a day, starting at least one month before conception and continuing during pregnancy.

Preventing NTDs and supporting healthy hair growth aren’t the only benefits of folic acid. Visit the age group sections of our site — including 20-39 and 40+ for more information.

If you’re noticing hair loss

Hair loss can have many causes, and folate is only one piece of the puzzle. Rather than taking extra folic acid on your own, talk with your health care provider, who can help find the cause. For adults, the upper limit for folic acid from supplements and fortified foods is 1,000 mcg a day unless a doctor recommends more.

Updated October 2026. This article is for general information and is not a substitute for advice from your health care provider.

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