Toxic levels of vitamin A can cause hair loss. Unlike water-soluble compounds that the body excretes when not required, vitamin A is a fat-soluble compound that the body will store until needed. Ingesting excessive amounts of vitamin A could potentially cause a toxic level to buildup producing a condition known as hypervitaminosis A. Skin and hair changes, including hair loss, are side effects of the condition. The good news is the effects of hypervitaminosis A are usually not permanent. [1]
Can I Get Too Much Vitamin A from My Diet?
There are two types of vitamin A acquired through food. The vitamin A found in milk, cheese, eggs, and liver is called preformed vitamin A, which the body processes efficiently. Provitamin A carotenoids are found in vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots. [2]
Most cases of vitamin A toxicity occur from taking supplements. Even considering all foods fortified with vitamin A, it is rare to achieve toxic levels of vitamin A in the body through diet alone. For example, a person eating liver daily may be at risk for developing hypervitaminosis A. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, symptoms of toxicity are generally associated with chronic hypervitaminosis A in excess of ten times the upper limits of the recommended daily allowance of 25,000 to 33,000 IU/day. [3]
Are the Effects of Hypervitaminosis A Permanent?
The remedy for hypervitaminosis A is a simple solution, especially if it is caused by excessive supplementation. Simply stop taking it. Most people suffering from the adverse symptoms of hypervitaminosis A will fully recover once the levels in the body return to normal. [4]
Resources
- [1] [4] US National Library of Medicine – Medline Plus – “Hypervitaminosis A.”
- [2] National Institutes of Health – “Vitamin A and Carotenoids.“
- [3] Linus Pauling Institute – Oregon State University – “Vitamin A.“
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