Many causes of hair loss exist including genetics, certain health conditions such as autoimmune diseases, poor hair care, some cancer treatments, certain medications, hormone changes, extreme weight loss and malnutrition. Consuming too few calories, protein, vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss. The amount of vitamin A you consume on a daily basis can affect your hair.
Background
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, consuming too little protein or not enough dietary iron can lead to hair loss; however, the same source reports that consuming too much vitamin A on a daily basis may also lead to hair loss. If your hair loss is due to excess vitamin A consumption, reducing your intake to recommended levels should cease hair loss and resume normal growth of your hair. Ingesting too much vitamin A is most common from use of vitamin A supplements.
Minimum Dosages
Although too much vitamin A may cause hair loss, too little vitamin A may cause other health problems such as night blindness or decreased immune function, according to the National Office of Dietary Supplements. The Institute of Medicine established minimum recommended dietary allowances, or RDAs, for vitamin A to help meet requirements for most people in each population group. RDAs for vitamin A are 900 micrograms per day for adult men, 700 micrograms for adult women, 770 micrograms for adult pregnant women and 1,300 micrograms per day for adult breastfeeding women.
Maximum Dosages
To help prevent hair loss associated with consuming excess vitamin A, do not exceed the Institute of Medicine’s vitamin A tolerable upper intake levels. Tolerable upper intakes for vitamin A for all adults is 3,000 micrograms per day, which is equivalent to 10,000 international units, according to the National Office of Dietary Supplements.
Hair Loss Prevention
To avoid preventable hair loss, take recommended amounts of all nutrients including proteins, vitamins and minerals without exceeding tolerable upper intake levels. Other ways to help prevent hair loss include maintaining a healthy body weight, getting enough sleep, avoiding stress and avoiding overprocessing your hair or pulling it too tightly.
References
- American Academy of Dermatology; Hair Loss: Who Gets and Causes; 2011
- National Office of Dietary Supplements; Vitamin A and Carotenoids; April 2006
- Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes for Vitamins and Elements
- Institute of Medicine Food and Nutrition Board; Dietary Reference Intakes: UL for Vitamins and Elements; May 2011
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