Nutritional Supplements in Treating Androgenetic Alopecia

    May 2023 in “ Elsevier eBooks ”
    Kelly O’Connor, Lynne J. Goldberg
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    TLDR Some nutritional supplements may help thicken hair in people with hair loss, but taking too much can cause side effects.
    The document discusses the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), specifically nutritional supplementation, in treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Due to a lack of effective therapies for AGA, many patients turn to CAM, including vitamin and mineral supplementation. This is particularly beneficial for patients with documented deficiencies and those at risk of malnutrition, such as the elderly or those with malabsorption. Certain proprietary nutraceutical blends containing ingredients like ashwagandha, curcumin, equisetum, and marine proteins have shown positive results in double-blinded, randomized, controlled trials, resulting in thicker and denser hair. These supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated, especially when combined with medical therapies like minoxidil. However, excess intake of some supplements like iron, selenium, vitamin D, vitamin E, and zinc can lead to adverse effects. Biotin supplementation, though common, can interfere with certain diagnostic assays. The document concludes with a call for more high-quality research on the safety, efficacy, and optimal use of nutritional supplements for alopecia.
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      in Treatment  7 upvotes 4 years ago
      Hair loss treatments discussed include minoxidil, finasteride, and RU58841. Salon products and supplements generally don't work for hair regrowth unless there's a severe nutritional deficiency, while hormonal treatments like estrogen and spironolactone can be effective.

      community do any supplements actually work?

      in Female  6 upvotes 8 months ago
      A user asked if collagen or hair growth supplements made their hair thicker. Another user suggested that Vitamin D might help if deficient.

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      in Research/Science  82 upvotes 11 months ago
      The conversation discusses whether whey protein and creatine worsen hair loss. Some users report hair loss with creatine use, while others do not; opinions on whey protein's effects are mixed. Treatments mentioned include PRP, minoxidil, and finasteride.

      community 35% regrowth brothers and sisters! More effective than Minox and Fin?

      in Treatment  107 upvotes 6 years ago
      A double-blind clinical study that found ingestion of tocotrienols resulted in a 34.5% increase in hair regrowth compared to the placebo group, and discussion about potential side effects and cost of supplementation with vitamin E pills. The conversation noted that it may be more effective than commonly used treatments like minoxidil and finasteride.

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