Here are 2 posts from TLHS:

excessive vitamins = hair loss??
Posted by Jules on April 4, 2003, 12:38:17
210.50.30.21

Hey everyone,
I was going through some of the old message boards at hairboutique.com (yes, it's one of those days!) and I found a post by wolfgang saying that taking too many vitamins can result in hair loss.

I was just wondering if this is correct, and if so, which vitamins are most likely to cause this?

Thanks,
Jules

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Re: excessive vitamins = hair loss??
Posted by Karen C on April 4, 2003, 15:41:05, in reply to "excessive vitamins = hair loss??"
68.9.167.59

I'm not sure about hair vitamins (bottled and labeled as hair vitamins) but a friend of mine's brother took too much vitamin A (handfuls of them daily for a long time) and he lost all his hair and ended up in the hospital for a while. After he recovered and left the hospital, he was told not to eat foods with vitamin A for a year. Anyway - his hair did grow back and grew in very curly which was different for him since his hair used to be straight.

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Anyone have more info. or the post at the hairboutique? How much is too much?

The fat soluble vitamins (A, D, & E) are the ones to watch out for, as they can build up. I'm not sure how much is considered an excess, and you would probably get different answers depending on whom you asked. I doubt that anyone ingest an unsafe amount by taking a multi-vitamin daily. I've heard of people getting excess vitamin A from drinking too much carrot juice (they turn yellow!). Polar bear liver has a toxic amount of vitamin A, but I don't think too many of us have to worry about that.

Large amounts of vitamin B6 (over 100 mg) can cause temporary numbness in the arms and legs, especially if taken without other B vitamins to balance it out.

bunniee

Too much vitamin A is toxic, for sure - but that's because it's in a form that the body can't process all that well. Taking lots of beta carotene, the precursor of vitamin a, doesn't have the ill side effects.

I believe that for toxic effects (for the A, at least) you need to be taking in excess of 25,000 IU.

Oh, and Buniee - the yellowing of the skin from carrot juice is a normal side effect from the beta carotene. It isn't toxic, at all - just the body flushing out toxins, so my naturopath tells me! I've had it happen on my hands - slight yellowish tinge. Not too noticeable, really!

Through the research that I've done, I seem to find that if you stay closer to the more 'natural' form of vitamins, then you are less likely to have the side effects.

Rachel

in excess is a bad thing.
That goes for vitamins and everything else.

Make sure you stay close to the daily recomendations.
You could also check out a good book.
It's Earl Mindles Vitamin Bible.
Some good info on amounts and such.

Just do your research .

Hope this helps :)

I am using GNC ultranourishair and I noticed that they have Biotin,1200mcg, which is supposed to be 400% of the RDA :( I am also taking an additional 3mg of biotin...is it harmful in anyway :?

I am using GNC ultranourishair and I noticed that they have Biotin,1200mcg, which is supposed to be 400% of the RDA :( I am also taking an additional 3mg of biotin...is it harmful in anyway :?

There are many people people on these boards that take 4-5 mg of biotin a day. I'd have to say it isn't harmful at all. Does RDA mean, Recommended Daily Allowance? If so, it's just recommended, it doesn't mean you can't take more....they just want you to take at least the RDA. Hope this makes some sense.

Yes - what Amanda said. It means Recommended Daily Allowance - and is just enough to keep you healthy enough from getting scurvy, or so some nutritionists say! :D

Many prefer to go by the ODA - Optimal Daily Allowance - since it provides you the optimum amount for your lifestyle. If you are extremely active in athletic, your ODA is going to be higher than someone who sits around all day, you know?

Rachel