Tocotrienols are among the most potent effectors of increased hair counts, literally translating to more hairs. In a prior update we featured an eight-month human study that demonstrated taking Tocotrienols experienced a better than 34 percent average improved hair count.
I have personally been using Tocotrienols for years for the multiple health benefits, such as reduced triglycerides, and for prostate cancer risk reduction, which along with MPB, runs in my family.
I had been able to successfully stabilize and re-densify my hair prior to their introduction of Tocotrienols in my treatment regime, so it is hard to assess its overall effects on my own hair.
I have, however received feedback from many clients who noticed a definite increase in their own hair thickness and density after about 4-5 five months. Although the recommendation for Super Absorbable Tocotrienols is 2 a day, I personally use 3 a day. I frequently do this when the ingredient appears to be safe and potentially very beneficial for its overall anti-aging, antioxidant effects.
I separate it for several hours from supplements that contain iron, because higher potencies of iron have been shown to potentially reduce the absorption of Vitamin E and perhaps Tocotrienols.
The Mechanism of Tocotrienols in regards to hair growth
Michael Mooney, who we credit for originally putting Nizoral on the map as a hair loss intervention in the 90’s, succinctly summed up the mechanisms of tocotrienols on hair growth.
“Tocotrienols likely work to increase hair count via a reduction in oxidative stress, caused by reactive oxygen species, such as super oxide, a tightly controlled inflammatory agent that the immune system deploys to kill invading microorganisms. A study by Naziroglu and Kokcam showed that there was an association between oxidative stress and hair loss.
As we age or because of nutritional deficiences of zinc, copper or manganese, we tend to make less superoxide dismutases (SOD), which control superoxide’s potential to damage tissue, including damaging hair follicles.
As well, aging and nutritional deficiencies reduce production of glutathione peroxidase, an antioxidant enzyme, which also might protect hair follicles from oxidative damage.
Tocotrienols are potent antioxidants, up to 60 times more potent than the popular d-alpha tocopherol form of vitamin E. It appears that their antioxidant effects reduce inflammatory damage to hair follicles. “
Another antioxidant combination that effectively ameliorates inflammatory damage to hair follicles and effectively initiates hair regrowth is the oral combination of Resveratrol and Curcumin.
Darker Hair Too
In addition to the reports of hair growth, there have been numerous accounts of hair darkening. After several years of Tocotrienol usage there is no question my hair has darkened, however it is unclear for me, given my multiple treatments, how much Tocotrienols contribute to this effect. This is all likelihood the result of the antioxidant effect of Tocotrienols controlling the hair whitening effect of the body’s production of hydrogen peroxide that typically occurs as we age.
The bioavailability of Tocotrienols has been improved over the last few years since they were introduced as a hair loss treatment, and has evolved into the formula Super Absorbable Tocotrienols. Through a revolutionary, patented delivery system, Super-Absorbable Tocotrienols ensures optimal absorption and additionally delivers the benefits of a unique proprietary complex of phytonutrients (squalene, phytosterols, trace amounts of mixed carotene and coenzyme Q10) naturally extracted together with Tocotrienols to support youthful hair growth, hair health and hair density. In a study involving 30 volunteers who took Tocotrienols for eight months, nearly all the subjects showed significant improvement in hair thickness and density.
Super Absorbable Tocotrienols may be used as a sole treatment or readily integrated into an existing regime for enhanced results.