Studies show the effects of prenatal vitamins on teens and non-pregnant women

Teenage girls are taking prenatal vitamins under the impression that it will help their hair and nails grow at an accelerated rate. Physicians believe the rate of growth is more dependent on the increase in hormones during pregnancy rather than prenatal vitamins themselves.

For the sake of vanity, these teens are taking prenatal vitamins for hair growth results without being fully aware of the proper usage and unfortunate side effects of taking these vitamins while not being pregnant.

“I took prenatal vitamins once because I heard they make your hair and nails grow faster,” senior Aarika Novelli said. “I really wanted longer hair, but soon after, I threw up rather violently.”

Prenatal vitamins consist of higher amounts of folic acid. Folic acid is an important nutrient that assists in preventing birth defects. Women that are not experiencing pregnancy or are lactating have a high chance of experiencing a toxin buildup from excess vitamin intake.

“Teenage girls should have a sufficient amount of nutrients in their diet which can be provided by eating properly and through taking the correct supplements for your body,” school nurse Jenny Knowles-Causey said. “Taking prenatal vitamins can actually cause a potential overdose in vitamins and minerals in the body.”

All vitamins can be beneficial to the body if used properly.

“When it comes to vitamins and minerals more doesn’t always mean better,” Knowles-Causey said. “Vitamin supplements should only be taken if appropriate for your age, gender, and if you have consulted with a professional.”

Vitamins are dietary supplements. A dietary supplement is meant to be added to complete a diet or to make up for dietary deficiencies.

“Vitamins should only be taken for the correct reasons, before taking anything you should consult with a professional,” Health Instructor Angela Arp said. “Most teenage girls aren’t aware of what is actually going into their body when they shove these supplements in their mouths thinking it’s going to make their hair longer, but more importantly just having a good diet that gives your body the proper nutrients will do that.”

Not only can taking prenatal vitamins under the wrong pretenses be harmful, but obtaining prenatal vitamins can also be extremely pricey.

“The first prenatal vitamins I was prescribed cost $80 a month,” expectant teacher Amanda Lannon said.

Prenatal vitamins are meant to replace all the vitamins and calcium that may become depleted while pregnant.

“From my understanding, the baby takes pretty much whatever they need from your body and the prenatal vitamin is meant to balance everything back out,” Lannon said.

A vitamin B-12 deficiency could stem from anemia or an autoimmune disease; prenatal vitamins can cause the folic acid overflow to mask such conditions further delaying medical treatment.

“Prenatal vitamins contain high levels of vitamin B, iron, and folic acids, which are all good for the body, but the problem is there can be too much or an over amount of what your body needs which can cause side effects such as constipation, nausea, diarrhea, fatigue and even hair loss,” Knowles-Causey said.

The more severe side effects for taking prenatal vitamins irresponsibly consist of increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

“I just thought taking them would help me grow my hair and nails out, but I didn’t realize there could be serious side effects,” Novelli said. “I will definitely not be taking prenatal vitamins unless it’s appropriate and I will make sure that other people know what can happen when taking vitamins that aren’t prescribed to you.”

There are a variety of alternatives to taking prenatal vitamins for the accelerated hair and nail growth effect. According to rxlist.com, women who are sexually active and of the childbearing age can take alternative vitamins that contain 400 mg of folic acid. Most daily multivitamins are supplied with this amount.