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Vitamin A for Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss

D

Based on 4 studies with 1 total participants. 3/4 studies show positive effects.

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            D

        

        

            
The Bottom Line

            
            
Based on 4 studies with 1 total participants. 3/4 studies show positive effects.

            
            
        

    










    

  
Key Study Findings





    

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Vitamins A, B, C, and D: A Short Review for the Dermatologist.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: control
                
                
                Outcome: None
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: patients with uncombable hair syndrome

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Case report
                
                
                n=1
                
                
                20 weeks
                
                
            

            
                Combined Diet and Supplementation Therapy Resolves Alopecia Areata in a Paediatric Patient: A Case Study.
            
            

                
                Dose: Multi-nutrient supplement, zinc sulfate, fish oil with vitamin D; diet rich in vitamins A and D, zin
                
                
                vs: Placebo
                
                
                
                Effect: Complete remission within 5 months
                
                
                None
                
            

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    narrative_review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Nutrition and skin: Kids are not just little people.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: Placebo
                
                
                
                Effect: narrative review; discusses role of nutrition from prenatal period on skin immune responses; highlig
                
                
                not_applicable
                
            

            
        

        
        

            

                
                    Review
                
                
                
                
            

            
                Retinoids putting the "a" in alopecia.
            
            

                
                Dose: None
                
                
                vs: None
                
                
                Outcome: Vitamin A role in alopecia development
                
                
                Effect: None
                
                
                None
                
            

            
            
Population: Patients with alopecia (theoretical)

            
        

        
    







    
    

        
        

            

  
Key Statistics





            


    

        
4

        
Studies

    

    

        
1

        
Participants

    

    

        
            
            ↑
            
        
        
Positive

    

    

        D

        
Grade

    




        


        
        
        

            

  
Referenced Papers





            

                
                

                    

                        
                            Vitamins A, B, C, and D: A Short Review for the Dermatologist.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Alternative therapies in …
                        2021
                        
                        10 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Combined Diet and Supplementation Therapy Resolves Alopecia Areata in a Paediatric Patient: A Case Study.
                        
                        
                            
                                Case Report
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Cureus
                        2020
                        
                        5 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Nutrition and skin: Kids are not just little people.
                        
                        
                            
                                Review
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        Clinics in dermatology
                        2016
                        
                        19 citations
                        
                    

                

                
                

                    

                        
                            Retinoids putting the "a" in alopecia.
                        
                        
                            
                                Other
                            
                            
                            
                        
                    

                    

                        The Journal of …
                        2013
                        
                        10 citations
                        
                    

                

                
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Dosage & Usage





            
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units


            
            

                
Commonly Used Dosages

                

                    
                    

                        
general:

                        
700-900 mcg RAE/day (2,300-3,000 IU)

                    

                    
                

                
                

                    Upper limit: 3,000 mcg RAE/day (10,000 IU preformed vitamin A)
                

                
            

            

            
            

                
Dosages Studied in Research

                

                    

                        
                            

                                Dosage
                                Duration
                                Effect
                                N
                            

                        
                        
                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                Multi-nutrient supplement, zinc sulfate, fish oil with vitamin D; diet rich in vitamins A and D, zin
                                20 weeks
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                1
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Positive
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                            

                                None
                                --
                                
                                    
                                    Negative
                                    
                                
                                --
                            

                            
                        
                    

                

            

            

            
            

                Best taken: With a fat-containing meal; consult your healthcare provider about appropriate dosage
            

            
        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Safety & Side Effects





            

                
                

                    
Reported Side Effects

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Hair loss at excessive doses (hypervitaminosis A)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Dry skin and lips
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Headache and nausea at high doses
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ⚠
                            Teratogenicity — contraindicated in pregnancy at high doses
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    
Known Interactions

                    
    
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Retinoid medications (isotretinoin, tretinoin — additive toxicity risk)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Tetracycline antibiotics (increased intracranial pressure risk)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Anticoagulants (high-dose vitamin A may increase bleeding risk)
                        
    • 
                        
                        
  • 
                            ●
                            Hepatotoxic drugs (additive liver stress at high doses)
                        
    • 
                        
                    

                

                

                
                

                    

                        Tolerable upper intake: 3,000 mcg RAE/day (10,000 IU preformed vitamin A)
                    

                

                
            

            

                Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
            

        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Frequently Asked Questions





            




    
    

        
            Does Vitamin A help with Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss?
            
        
        

            Based on 4 studies with 1 participants, there is preliminary evidence that needs more research that Vitamin A may support Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss management. Our evidence grade is D (Very Early Research).
        

    

    
    

        
            How much Vitamin A should I take for Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss?
            
        
        

            Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 700-900 mcg RAE/day (2,300-3,000 IU). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
        

    

    
    

        
            Are there side effects of Vitamin A?
            
        
        

            Reported side effects may include Hair loss at excessive doses (hypervitaminosis A), Dry skin and lips, Headache and nausea at high doses, Teratogenicity — contraindicated in pregnancy at high doses. Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
        

    

    
    

        
            How strong is the evidence for Vitamin A and Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss?
            
        
        

            We rate the evidence as Grade D (Very Early Research). This rating is based on 4 peer-reviewed studies with 1 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
        

    

    




        

        

        
        
        

            

  
Related Evidence





            

                
                

                    
Other ingredients for Nutritional Deficiency Hair Loss

                    

                        
                        
                            Selenium
                            A

                        
                        
                        
                            Biotin
                            B

                        
                        
                        
                            L-Cysteine
                            D

                        
                        
                        
                            Vitamin B12
                            F

                        
                        
                        
                            Folate
                            F

                        
                        
                    

                

                

                
                
                
            

        

        

    


    
    












    

        FDA Disclaimer:
        These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.