Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Probiotic Intake on Androgenic Alopecia

August 2024 in “ Nutrients ”

Alejandro García-Navarro, María Isabel Vasallo-Morillas, Roge Navarro-Belmonte, Cristina Vilanova, Daniel Torrent, Alina Kilasoniya, Isabel Moles-Ugeda, Estefanía Gallego-Herrera, A Ramírez-Boscá

androgenic alopecia probiotic mixture telogen hairs anagen hairs Lactobacillus terminal follicles miniaturization AGA probiotics

Studysummary This study found that a combination of probiotic strains of Lactiplantibacillus administered over 16 weeks reduced the number and density of telogen hairs in individuals with androgenic alopecia, while increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus in their gut microbiota. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effect of a probiotic mixture on androgenic alopecia (AGA) in 136 participants over 16 weeks, with 115 completing the study. The probiotic group showed significant improvements, including a reduction in telogen hairs, an increase in hair length, and a higher abundance of Lactobacillus. The study concluded that the probiotic mixture promotes the presence of terminal follicles and prevents their miniaturization, suggesting probiotics may positively impact hair growth in AGA patients. The treatment was well tolerated with a 90% adherence rate, and no significant adverse events were reported.

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research Roles of Gut Microbiota in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Mendelian Randomization Analysis

April 2024 in “Frontiers in microbiology”

This study found that certain gut microbiota are linked with androgenetic alopecia, identifying both risk and protective microbial factors, which could inform targeted probiotic strategies for managing AGA.

research Factors Associated With Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia: A Scoping Review

March 2024 in “PLOS ONE”

This review explores the risk factors, associated comorbidities, and psychological impacts of early-onset androgenetic alopecia, highlighting its complexity and potential implications for treatment response and overall health.

Effect of Applying Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Subsp. Plantarum N793 to the Scalps of Men and Women with Thinning Hair: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study

research Effect of Applying Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Subsp. Plantarum N793 to the Scalps of Men and Women with Thinning Hair: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study

January 2024 in “BMFH”

In this study, researchers found that while applying a lotion containing Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum N793 did not improve hair density overall compared to placebo, it was effective in improving hair density among individuals with relatively mild hair thinning.

research The Gut and Skin Microbiome in Alopecia: Associations and Interventions

October 2023 in “PubMed”

This review reports that alterations in the scalp, hair follicle, and gut microbiome are associated with alopecia, and interventions targeting microbiome dysbiosis may have potential in treating hair loss.

Efficacy and Tolerability of an Oral Supplement Containing Amino Acids, Iron, Selenium, and Marine Hydrolyzed Collagen in Subjects With Hair Loss: A Prospective, Randomized, 3-Month, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Study

research Efficacy and Tolerability of an Oral Supplement Containing Amino Acids, Iron, Selenium, and Marine Hydrolyzed Collagen in Subjects With Hair Loss: A Prospective, Randomized, 3-Month, Controlled, Assessor-Blinded Study

June 2023 in “Skin Research and Technology”

The researchers reported that an oral supplement containing hydrolysed fish-origin collagen, taurine, cysteine, methionine, iron, and selenium significantly improved the effectiveness of anti-hair loss treatments in people with androgenic alopecia or chronic telogen effluvium after 12 weeks, compared to drug treatments alone.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Therapy Update

May 2023 in “Drugs”

This comprehensive review analyzes androgenetic alopecia treatments, discussing the mechanisms, costs, efficacy, and safety of FDA-approved drugs like minoxidil and finasteride, as well as newer non-FDA-approved options that have shown effectiveness across various studies.

research Comparative Analysis of Scalp and Gut Microbiome in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Korean Cross-Sectional Study

December 2022 in “Frontiers in Microbiology”

This study found that individuals with androgenetic alopecia had higher scalp microbiome diversity and more complex scalp-gut microbiome networks than those without, suggesting a link between skin-gut microorganisms and hair loss development.

research Clinical and Metabolic Characteristics of Males With Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

December 2022 in “PubMed”

This study observed that one-third of men with early-onset androgenetic alopecia had altered hormonal profiles, which were associated with increased insulin resistance and more severe hair loss.

research Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of Nutritional Supplements for Treating Hair Loss

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research Treatment Options for Androgenetic Alopecia: Efficacy, Side Effects, Compliance, Financial Considerations, and Ethics

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This review discusses treatment options for androgenetic alopecia, highlighting the need for personalized, evidence-based approaches but reports no new clinical results.

research Do Kimchi and Cheonggukjang Probiotics as a Functional Food Improve Androgenetic Alopecia? A Clinical Pilot Study

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This study found that administering a kimchi and cheonggukjang probiotic product promoted hair growth and increased hair thickness in individuals with patterned hair loss without causing adverse effects.

research Alopecia Areata and the Gut: The Link Opens Up for Novel Therapeutic Interventions

48 citations , May 2018 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets”

This review discusses how modern lifestyle factors affecting gut health may contribute to Alopecia Areata in genetically predisposed individuals, reporting no new results but suggesting the need for long-term interventions.

A Proprietary Herbal Extract Against Hair Loss in Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium: A Placebo-Controlled, Single-Blind, Clinical-Instrumental Study

research A Proprietary Herbal Extract Against Hair Loss in Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium: A Placebo-Controlled, Single-Blind, Clinical-Instrumental Study

1 citations , January 2018 in “Acta dermatovenerologica Alpina, Pannonica et Adriatica (Tiskana izd.)”

This study found that a herbal shampoo and solution were more effective than placebo in reducing hair loss and improving hair growth in participants with androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium.

research Genetic and Molecular Aspects of Androgenetic Alopecia

24 citations , January 2018 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This review discusses advances in molecular biology and genetics related to androgenetic alopecia and reports no new clinical results.

research Comment on the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

1 citations , December 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Biotin may help women with hair loss who have low biotin levels, but more research is needed.

research The Effectiveness of Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

178 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that minoxidil, finasteride, and low-level laser light therapy significantly improve hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia, while minoxidil is also effective for women, compared to placebo.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations , March 2017 in “Endocrine”

This review examines recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of androgenetic alopecia, highlighting two major genetic risk loci, but does not report new clinical findings.

research Interventions for Female Pattern Hair Loss

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This study found that topical minoxidil improved female pattern hair loss, finasteride was not more effective than placebo, and laser devices showed inconsistent results but increased hair count compared to baseline.

research A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss

78 citations , January 2017 in “Skin appendage disorders”

This review discusses the use of biotin for hair and nail growth, noting clinical improvement in cases with existing pathologies, but concludes there is insufficient evidence supporting its benefits for healthy individuals.

research Guidelines on the Use of Finasteride in Androgenetic Alopecia

33 citations , January 2016 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

This review discusses the use of finasteride for androgenetic alopecia and highlights that while it is considered safe, there is concern regarding its sexual side effects, which reverse upon discontinuation.

research Scalp Dermatoscopic Findings in Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Relations with Disease Severity

30 citations , January 2014 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study observed no significant relationship between trichoscopic findings and disease severity in male or female androgenetic alopecia, despite some specific patterns correlating with different severity levels in female patients.

research Global Photographic Assessment of Men Aged 18 to 60 Years with Male Pattern Hair Loss Receiving Finasteride 1 mg or Placebo

35 citations , February 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that finasteride (1 mg) significantly increased hair growth in all scalp regions affected by male pattern hair loss over 24 months in men aged 18 to 60, with more pronounced effects in younger men.

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research A Randomized Clinical Trial of 5% Topical Minoxidil Versus 2% Topical Minoxidil and Placebo in the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

269 citations , August 2002 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that 5% topical minoxidil significantly increased hair regrowth and improved psychosocial perceptions of hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia compared to 2% topical minoxidil and placebo over 48 weeks.

Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

research Minoxidil-Induced Hair Growth Is Mediated by Adenosine in Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells: Possible Involvement of Sulfonylurea Receptor 2B as a Target of Minoxidil

83 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Minoxidil boosts hair growth by targeting adenosine and possibly sulfonylurea receptor 2B.

research Finasteride Increases Anagen Hair in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

129 citations , October 2000 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that finasteride increases anagen hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia.