Nutrafol is a very well conceived, multi-component hair growth supplement that you’ve no doubt seen advertised on TV, that has at its core, components that we have been recommending for over 2 decades.
Nutrafol has a couple of published studies showing a highly positive effect on hair loss, but the authors have a disclosed financial relationship with the company, so obviously the results, although encouraging, can’t be considered entirely independent.
Nutraceuticals for Androgenetic Alopecia
| The core components of the formula tested termed “Proactive thinning” consist of: * Low dose combination of Vitamins A, C, D, E, Biotin, Iodine, Zinc and Selenium (pretty much basic to any drug store grade “hair vitamin”). *a 1720 mg. proprietary combination “Synergen Complex” of Saw Palmetto extract, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Sensoril Ashwagandha extract, Bio Curcumin, Curcumin 95, and Tocotrienols. * 575 mg. combination of Cysteine, Lysine, Methionine, Horsetail, 50% Resveratrol extract, Keratin, Black Pepper extract, and Capsicum extract. The sheer variety of components this formula does, in fairness do attempt to address a variety of factors that drive androgenetic hair loss (anagen to telogen transition), and hair follicle miniaturization including inflammation, hormones, stress, and nutritional deficiency. The synergy created by these components would undoubtedly provide and if studies are to be believed, do facilitate some degree of reversal of Androgenetic hair loss. WHERE NUTRAFOL COMES UP SHORT Each singular component in their proprietary combination does in fact have published studies supporting their use for hair growth. The issue with Nutrafol, which is shared by several, albeit well designed multi-component hair growth formulas, such as FORTI-5 is that the doses of the active ingredients used are FAR BELOW optimal, thus limiting the potential efficacy. This fairly common feature of these hair growth formulas can be largely attributed to the ingredient costs, and attempting to overcome inconvenience of having to take as many capsules in one sitting, which may cause compliance and ultimately reorder issues. In reviewing the formula the MINIMUM dosage recommendations for the above listed components which far surpass those of Nutrafol, that would have any realistic hope of stimulating significant hair growth as singular or dual ingredients would be: Saw Palmetto CO2 Extract: 320 mg. Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides: 5000 – 10,000 mg. Ashwagandha (Sensoril Extract): 250 mg. BCM Bio-Curcumin: 400 mg. Super Absorbable Tocotrienols: 130 mg. Vitamin D – 5,000 iu L-Cysteine – 1,000 mg. Resveratrol (95% Extract) – 250 mg. Solubilized Keratin: 500 mg. Capsaicin Extract (Capsifen): 100 mg. Most of the above ingredients at the listed doses have documented hair growth effects, a few even when used as single interventions on hair growth, and to be fair to Nutrafol there is undoubtedly a synergy when simultaneously addressing multiple causative mechanisms. So given the positive results obtained with a very low amounts of these combined ingredients, consider the pronounced hair growth and as importantly the concomitant age reversal effects of this combination at much higher, more clinically significant doses. Our current recommended protocol takes into account all the mechanisms addressed by Nutrafol and quite a bit more. Kelly’s Updated Protocol A few quick examples: *We recommend Astaxanthin be taken in conjunction with Saw Palmetto extract based on research demonstrating a more significant decrease in DHT, AND Estrogen, while raising Testosterone – a real boon for hair growth along with libido and BMI that you won’t get with Saw Palmetto alone. Astaxanthin, a powerful antioxidant and 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, is not included in Nutrafol. *Taurine far out performs both Cysteine and Methionine in its effects on hair growth. It also ameliorates existing and inhibits fibrosis, and was a primary ingredient in a European hair growth formula patented by L’Oreal in France. *Capsaicin, naturally occurring in Cayenne Pepper, is documented to reverse the course of AGA when COMBINED with sufficient amounts of Soy Isoflavones. This combination raises follicular and systemic IGF-1, and is frequently reported to have an anabolic effect on muscle growth, which makes sense given this mechanism. Finasteride also raises follicular IGF-1, but as you know, can come with a side effect price tag. *Although Resveratrol and Curcumin is a combination that research from Italy does show reverses AGA and promotes hair growth, the amounts used in Nutrafol are by themselves insufficient. We use a recently developed Resveratrol and Curcumin that is compounded with galactomannan fibers from fenugreek seeds. This makes our Resveratrol and Curcumin Elite formulas used in our recommended protocol up to 10 times more bio-available than the prior version used in the original research and Nutrafol. In addition to the advantages in both dose and bio-availability, and ultimately hair growth and age reversal, combining components in this way is much more cost effective, as when considering dose, Nutrafol, perhaps in part due to its expensive national ad campaign, is given its price, cost ineffective. Our possible array of continually updated hair growth recommendations goes far beyond the components of Nutrafol, optimally incorporating things like vigorous scalp massage, spinal inversion, topical Emu Oil and anti-dandruff/fungal shampoos that further increase circulation and quell both inflammation and the associate exacerbating proliferation of Malessia. You can additionally reach out to us directly in person for input into your existing regime. |