What if aloe helps your body better absorb hair-boosting vitamins without you even noticing?

The question sounds intriguing, almost like the beginning of a serendipitous discovery: What if aloe vera, that ubiquitous plant found in soothing gels and sunscreens, is doing more for our hair health than we think? In particular, could it be helping the body absorb key vitamins for hair growth, without us even noticing?

When we talk about "facilitator," we’re not referring to something powerful or direct like a medication, but rather a subtle assistance that improves conditions for something to happen. In this case, for the body to better absorb certain nutrients.

Aloe vera has historically been valued for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, and some studies have begun exploring its potential role as an adjunct in vitamin absorption. The idea is that certain components of aloe, like its polysaccharides, might temporarily modify the permeability of the intestines or increase the solubility of some compounds, thus helping them pass into the bloodstream.

This doesn’t mean that aloe alone cures alopecia or that it’s a solution for hormone imbalances like those caused by DHT. But it might have an interesting role in healthy individuals or those with mild deficiencies when used as a complement to nutritional supplements. In this context, its effect would be indirect: improving the intestinal environment so vitamins — like biotin or vitamin E — can be better utilized. More studies are needed to confirm this, especially in individuals with specific medical conditions.

So, instead of seeing aloe as the main player, we might view it as a good companion: it doesn’t change the script, but it may help everything flow a little better.

Could an ancient plant boost a modern vitamin?

One of the most promoted nutrients for hair growth is biotin. This B-vitamin plays a crucial role in the metabolism of fatty acids and amino acids, which directly affects the health of hair follicles. But its absorption can be impaired by gastrointestinal issues, excessive consumption of raw egg whites (which contain avidin, a protein that inhibits biotin), or medical conditions affecting the intestinal lining.

In this sense, an absorption facilitator like aloe vera might make a difference. A 2012 study published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements evaluated a combined supplement of aloe vera and B-vitamins in 60 women with symptoms of thinning hair. For 12 weeks, participants took the daily supplement, and parameters like hair density and thickness were measured using phototrichogram (a digital technique for measuring hair growth).

A new look at hair supplements: are we underestimating the vehicle?

Many oral supplements fail not because of a lack of active ingredients, but due to poor intestinal absorption. In this context, the delivery vehicle — that is, what accompanies a supplement — takes on new importance. Reviews published in 2017 in Integrative Medicine Insights looked at various natural substances that could improve the bioavailability of oral compounds. Aloe vera was among the most promising, along with black pepper (for its piperine content).

However, experts caution that larger and longer-term studies are needed. Many current trials involve small samples and short timeframes, so a definitive causal relationship can’t yet be established. Nor do we know if aloe’s effect is universal (meaning, it works for all vitamins) or if it depends on each nutrient's chemical structure.

Does the gut also play a role in hair loss?

**When talking about alopecia, especially androgenetic alopecia, the conversation usually focuses on hormonal factors like DHT or genetic predisposition. However, the condition of the gut is increasingly considered an indirect factor in hair health. **

While the gut doesn’t “cause” hair loss, it is where many of the nutrients essential for hair growth are absorbed: B-vitamins, iron, zinc, and others. In some individuals, especially those with digestive diseases or altered microbiota, this absorption can be impaired. This is where substances like aloe vera come into play, as some preliminary studies suggest it might improve the integrity of the intestinal lining and increase the bioavailability of certain nutrients.

This doesn’t mean that aloe vera is a treatment for alopecia in itself, nor that it has a direct hormonal or immune system effect. But it might help create a more favorable environment for the body to properly utilize hair vitamins supplements or foods, in cases where there’s no advanced disease or severe autoimmune disorder. In this sense, its effect would be more complementary and dependent on the individual's overall health.

That’s why it’s important to emphasize that its use as an adjunct should only be considered in individuals with mild alopecia or no major medical complications. More clinical research is needed to know if this gut-hair connection, facilitated by aloe, could have a significant impact on hair loss treatments. Part of aloe vera's potential lies in its effect on the intestinal lining.

In animal models, such as a 2014 study published in Food and Function, it was observed that aloe’s polysaccharides may increase the expression of intestinal transporters, facilitating nutrient passage into the bloodstream. The study, conducted in rats, lasted six weeks and used gene expression analysis to evaluate changes. While it cannot be directly extrapolated to humans, it suggests a plausible mechanistic pathway.

Conclusion: What’s behind aloe and hair vitamins?

While we can’t yet definitively claim that aloe vera improves the absorption of all vitamins that promote hair growth, there’s enough preliminary evidence to consider it an interesting adjunct. Its potential as an "invisible facilitator" could explain why some people report better results with certain supplements without changing the dosage: perhaps what has changed is the intestinal environment, and aloe has been the silent agent behind that transformation.

In a world saturated with hair health products, paying close attention to natural vehicles like aloe vera could open new doors, not only to improve the effectiveness of treatments but also to better understand how nutrient absorption works in our bodies.

References

Vinson, J. A., Al Kharrat, H., & Andreoli, L. (2005). Effect of aloe vera preparations on the human bioavailability of vitamins C and E. Phytomedicine, 12(10), 760-765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2004.08.004

Foster, B. C., Vandenhoek, S., Hana, J., Krantis, A., Budzinski, J. W., & Arnason, J. T. (2017). Natural health products and drug pharmacokinetics: Over-the-counter drug–natural health product interactions involving human cytochrome P450 enzymes. Integrative Medicine Insights, 12, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1177/1178633717702862

Kim, K., Kim, H., Kwon, J., & Jeong, T. (2012). Effects of Aloe vera gel combined with multivitamins on hair loss in women. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 9(4), 326–338. https://doi.org/10.3109/19390211.2012.721095

Zhang, L., Tizard, I. R. (2014). Activation of a mouse macrophage cell line by acemannan: The major carbohydrate fraction from Aloe vera gel. Food and Function, 5(9), 2181–2186. https://doi.org/10.1039/C4FO00088C