Vitamin A for Hair Growth

Fresh carrot juice is the richest source of vitamin A from beta-carotene.

Growing your hair can be a rewarding experience when you know which vitamins are necessary. Vitamin A provides important nutrients to hair roots and stimulates hair growth.

Definition

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin; it can be easily dissolved. Vitamin A comes from animal sources and plant sources in the form of beta-carotene.

Expert Insight

Bethany Thayer, M.S., dietitian and spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association, says beta-carotene found in sweet potatoes and other orange vegetables helps shed old cells and replaces them with new ones for hair growth and a healthy scalp.

Effects

Since vitamin A is an antioxidant and beta-carotene converts to vitamin A, this helps to create healthy sebum in your scalp, which keeps your hair moisturized.

Nutrition

To stimulate hair growth, eat vitamin A from eggs, cheese, milk and liver. Dark-green, leafy vegetables and orange-colored fruits and vegetables, like carrots and sweet potatoes, provide you with beta-carotene.

Supplements

Professor of cardiac surgery at Columbia University and author Mehmet Oz, M.D., recommends you only take up to 2,500 IU of vitamin A daily. Taking more vitamin A can be toxic to your body and can cause hair loss. Beta-carotene is safe to eat in quantity.

Warning

Taking too much vitamin A can cause liver damage and possibly even death.

If you're pregnant, ask your doctor before taking any vitamin A. Large doses of vitamin A can cause birth defects.

References

• Medline Plus: Vitamin A
• Dr. Oz on Staying Young
• Eat Smart for Healthy Hair

Resources

• Vitamin A for Hair Loss
• Benefits of Carrot Juice
• Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet