The Role of Dietary Supplements in Hair Loss Treatment: A Review of Evidence

The 2019 document reviews the role of dietary supplements in hair loss treatment, examining the evidence for various nutrients. It highlights that while some studies suggest benefits from supplements like vitamin E, which showed a significant increase in hair count in an RCT, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which increased hair density in a 120-woman RCT, the overall efficacy of many supplements in treating hair loss without deficiency is not well-supported. The document also notes the potential of topical treatments like caffeine and melatonin, and plant-derived 5a-reductase inhibitors, but emphasizes the need for more research. It concludes that while there are promising results, the evidence is not robust, and patients should be cautious about using supplements without medical guidance due to potential toxicities and lack of strong evidence for their effectiveness.