Say What?: Fred Flintstone Wasn't a Dietitian

According to Star Magazine, American Beauty star Mena Suvari has taken to popping three Flintstone vitamins a day in order to grow her hair (sources claim she has grown tried of her short 'do).

A source claims Mena does this since zinc and biotin promote hair growth.

While true, biotin (a vitamin belonging to the B-complex) sometimes referred to as "Vitamin H" or "Vitamin B7") is water-soluble.

In other words, excesses of it are simply excreted in the urine, not held in a special “hair growth” reserve.

In the case of zinc, extra supplementation only works if your body is deficient. Otherwise, you are at risk of developing toxicity.

Apart from interfering with the metabolism of iron and copper, too much zinc (the result of consistently high doses) can also result in nausea and vomiting.

As important as vitamins and minerals are, meeting the daily requirements of each is sufficient.

Excess amounts go unused and, if taken is unusually large quantities, can cause more harm than good.