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An Onion Among Onions
Americans spend a lot of money on supplements and other products they hope will coax the return of a thick and luxurious mane. The question is: Do any of these products work? A study published on Wednesday in JAMA Dermatology suggests certain ones might help improve a little.
A re-analysis of 30 earlier studies suggests that some nutritional supplements, ranging from pumpkin seeds to capsaicin, the component that gives hot peppers their heat, may help spark the growth of new strands. The study looked at both products composed of a single substance and those that blended a host of ingredients, such as biotin, marine collagen and antioxidants.
Mostaghimi and his colleagues decided to look into supplements because a lot of patients who come to him with hair loss are interested in them. “The question for us was: What kind of data can we put together to serve as a guide for physicians and potentially for their patients?” he explains.
Supplements are appealing precisely because “there are not many good treatments for hair loss,” Mostaghimi says. “For those who want to try supplements, this can be a starting point.”
"Usually (the risks of these nutritional supplements) are fairly benign with gastrointestinal distress and rash as possible side effects," he adds.
It’s estimated that Americans spend some $3.9 billion on hair loss treatments, none of which are guaranteed to regrow hair in all people who use them. Mostaghimi and his colleagues decided to try to determine which of the products claiming to restore at least some of a user’s former crowning glory may actually do so.
The researchers scoured the medical literature for studies that had evaluated the effectiveness of the products. Out of an initial 6,347 studies, Mostaghimi and his colleagues narrowed the list down to 30, which included 17 randomized clinical trials, 11 clinical studies and two case series.
“The studies looked at different types of hair loss,” he adds. “While some had objective measures, they weren’t all the same. Some counted hairs. Some measured hair thickness. Others didn’t have a specific measure.”
Also, Mostaghimi says, you have to take into account that “nearly all of the studies were sponsored by the companies selling these agents. So there aren’t a lot of negative studies out there.”
Mostaghimi and his colleagues concluded that adverse effects from the supplements they evaluated were rare and mild. So, at least people who want to experiment with won’t have to worry about hurting themselves.
A re-analysis of 30 earlier studies suggests that some nutritional supplements, ranging from pumpkin seeds to capsaicin, the component that gives hot peppers their heat, may help spark the growth of new strands. The study looked at both products composed of a single substance and those that blended a host of ingredients, such as biotin, marine collagen and antioxidants.
Natural hair loss supplements: What the study found
“The main thing I would take from this study is that while it’s not a green light for all nutritional supplements, if a person is interested in these supplements, it shows that we do have some data to support their use,” Dr. Arash Mostaghimi, study co-author and director of inpatient consultation in the department of dermatology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, tells TODAY.com.Mostaghimi and his colleagues decided to look into supplements because a lot of patients who come to him with hair loss are interested in them. “The question for us was: What kind of data can we put together to serve as a guide for physicians and potentially for their patients?” he explains.
Supplements are appealing precisely because “there are not many good treatments for hair loss,” Mostaghimi says. “For those who want to try supplements, this can be a starting point.”
"Usually (the risks of these nutritional supplements) are fairly benign with gastrointestinal distress and rash as possible side effects," he adds.
It’s estimated that Americans spend some $3.9 billion on hair loss treatments, none of which are guaranteed to regrow hair in all people who use them. Mostaghimi and his colleagues decided to try to determine which of the products claiming to restore at least some of a user’s former crowning glory may actually do so.
The researchers scoured the medical literature for studies that had evaluated the effectiveness of the products. Out of an initial 6,347 studies, Mostaghimi and his colleagues narrowed the list down to 30, which included 17 randomized clinical trials, 11 clinical studies and two case series.
Which natural hair loss supplements actually work?
Some of the branded potions that appeared to have a positive impact in some people were:- Viviscal
- Nourkrin
- Nutrafol
- Lambdapil
- Pantogar
- Capsaicin
- Pumpkin seed oil
- Peony extract
- Isoflavones
- Omega 3 with antioxidants
- Omega 6 with antioxidants
- Zinc
“The studies looked at different types of hair loss,” he adds. “While some had objective measures, they weren’t all the same. Some counted hairs. Some measured hair thickness. Others didn’t have a specific measure.”
Also, Mostaghimi says, you have to take into account that “nearly all of the studies were sponsored by the companies selling these agents. So there aren’t a lot of negative studies out there.”
Mostaghimi and his colleagues concluded that adverse effects from the supplements they evaluated were rare and mild. So, at least people who want to experiment with won’t have to worry about hurting themselves.
