Nutrition and hair: deficiencies and supplements

A Marine Protein-based Dietary Supplement for Subclinical Hair Thinning/Loss: Results of a Multisite, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial

Introduction:

Since skin and hair quality are potent vitality signals, and hair growth deficiency can cause significant psychological morbidity. In addition to clearly-defined hair loss disorders, milder forms of hair thinning or hair loss appear to be increasingly common, with a suggestion that sub-optimal diets and stressful lifestyles may be involved.

Methods:

Here we assess the value of a dietary marine-extract based dietary supplement in premenopausal women with subclinical hair thinning or hair loss conditions. This multi-site, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted with impact on hair shedding rate and hair fiber diameter (assessed by phototrichogram) as primary end points upon consumption of the oral supplement compared to a placebo. A total of 96 eligible female subjects were enrolled aged 21–55 years of age from Asian, Caucasian, and Hispanic ethnic backgrounds.

Results:

This study showed that hair shedding was significantly reduced in the first 3–6 months of daily consumption of the oral supplement. Moreover, phototrichogram image analysis revealed a statistically significant increase in the mean vellus-like hair diameter after 6 months of supplement consumption, when compared to the mean vellus-like hair diameters measured at baseline.

Discussion:

These results support the view that a nutritional supplement approach may be useful for women in this age group to deal with subclinical hair thinning or hair loss conditions, and those components of this marine extract-based oral supplement may be a useful adjunct.

The effect of parathyroid hormones on hair follicle physiology: implications for treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) influence hair follicles through paracrine and intracrine routes. There is significant evidence that PTH and PTHrP influence the proliferation and differentiation of hair follicle cells. The PTH/PTHrP receptor signalling plays an important role in the hair follicle cycle and may induce premature catagen-telogen transition. Transgenic mice with an overexpression or blockade (PTH/PTHrP receptor knockout mice) of PTHrP activity revealed impaired or increased hair growth, respectively. Some findings also suggest that PTHrP may additionally influence the hair cycle by inhibiting angiogenesis. Antagonists of the PTH/PTHrP receptor have been shown to stimulate proliferation of hair follicle cells and hair growth. A hair-stimulating effect of a PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist applied topically to the skin has been observed in hairless mice, as well as in mice treated with cyclophosphamide. These data indicate that the PTH/PTHrP receptor may serve as a potential target for new (topical) hair growth-stimulating drugs, especially for chemotherapy-induced alopecia.

Pigmentary disorders of the eyes and skin

Oculocutaneous albinism, Menkes syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, neurofibromatosis type 1, dyskeratosis congenita, lentiginosis profusa syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, and Waardenburg syndrome all are genodermatoses that have well established gene mutations affecting multiple biological pathways, including melanin synthesis, copper transport, cellular proliferation, telomerase function, apoptosis, and melanocyte biology. Onchocerciasis results from a systemic inflammatory response to a nematode infection. Hypomelanosis of Ito is caused by chromosomal mosaicism, which underlies its phenotypic heterogeneity. Incomplete migration of melanocytes to the epidermis and other organs is the underlying feature of nevus of Ota. Vogt-Koyangi-Harada and vitiligo have an autoimmune etiology; the former is associated with considerable multiorgan involvement, while the latter is predominantly skin-limited.

A 3-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the ability of an extra-strength marine protein supplement to promote hair growth and decrease shedding in women with self-perceived thinning hair

An oral marine protein supplement (MPS) is designed to promote hair growth in women with temporary thinning hair (Viviscal Extra Strength; Lifes2good, Inc., Chicago, IL). This double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessed the ability of MPS to promote terminal hair growth in adult women with self-perceived thinning hair associated with poor diet, stress, hormonal influences, or abnormal menstrual cycles. Adult women with thinning hair were randomized to receive MPS (N = 30) or placebo (N = 30) twice daily for 90 days. Digital images were obtained from a 4 cm(2) area scalp target area. Each subject's hair was washed and shed hairs were collected and counted. After 90 days, these measures were repeated and subjects completed Quality of Life and Self-Assessment Questionnaires. MPS-treated subjects achieved a significant increase in the number of terminal hairs within the target area (P < 0.0001) which was significantly greater than placebo (P < 0.0001). MPS use also resulted in significantly less hair shedding (P = 0.002) and higher total Self-Assessment (P = 0.006) and Quality of Life Questionnaires scores (P = 0.035). There were no reported adverse events. MPS promotes hair growth and decreases hair loss in women suffering from temporary thinning hair. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02297360.

Hair loss in women

Hair loss is a common cause of morbidity for many women. As a key member of the woman's health care team, the obstetrician/gynecologist may be the first person to evaluate the complaint of hair loss. Common types of nonscarring hair loss, including female pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium, may be diagnosed and managed by the obstetrician/gynecologist. A systematic approach to diagnosis and management of these common forms of hair loss is presented.

BMI and levels of zinc, copper in hair, serum and urine of Turkish male patients with androgenetic alopecia

OBJECTIVE

Male pattern androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive hair loss from the scalp. It is known that imbalances of some trace elements play a role in the pathomechanism of many forms of alopecia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of zinc and copper in hair, serum and urine samples of Turkish males with male pattern androgenetic alopecia and to compare with healthy controls.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

116 males with male pattern androgenetic alopecia and 100 controls were involved in this study.

RESULTS

Levels of zinc and copper in hair were decreased significantly in the patients (p<0.05), although zinc and copper levels of serum and urine were not different between patients and controls (p>0.05). Body mass index of patients were higher than control group. In addition, in the group with body mass index of 25 and lower zinc level in hair and urine, copper level in serum were significantly higher (p<0.05). Body mass index was negatively correlated with hair zinc levels.

CONCLUSION

We thought that decreased zinc and copper levels in hair may play a role in the etiology of male pattern androgenetic alopecia. In addition, obesity by making changes in the balance of the trace elements in hair, serum and urine may play a role in male pattern androgenetic alopecia. Hence, assessing the levels of trace elements in hair of male pattern androgenetic alopecia patients may be more valuable compared to serum and urine for treatment planning.

Six months chronic toxicological evaluation of naringin in Sprague-Dawley rats

Naringin is a flavonoid showing variable pharmacological properties and is distributed ubiquitously in plant foods. There is a paucity of reported data regarding its safety profile. In the present study, chronic toxicity studies of naringin was designed and conducted by oral gavage at doses of 0, 50, 250 and 1250 mg/kg in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats for six months followed by 1-month recovery period. During the 6-month treatment period and one month recovery period, no mortality and toxicologically significant changes in clinical signs, opthalmoscopic examination, hematology, clinical biochemistry, serumsexhormone, macroscopic findings, organ weights and histopathological examination were noted and attributed to naringin administration. Although consecutive and/or isolated periods of significant body weights and food consumption decreases were relevant to naringin administration, they were not considered toxicologically significant. In addition, slight, non-pathological and reversible hair loss was noted during the 6-month treatment period and considered as a kind of change possibly relevant to naringin administration; however, it was not considered adverse change and to be of toxicological significance. Based on the results of this study, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) of naringin in rats is greater than 1250 mg/kg/day when administered orally for 6 consecutive months.

Female pattern alopecia: current perspectives

Hair loss is a commonly encountered problem in clinical practice, with men presenting with a distinctive pattern involving hairline recession and vertex balding (Norwood-Hamilton classification) and women exhibiting diffuse hair thinning over the crown (increased part width) and sparing of the frontal hairline (Ludwig classification). Female pattern hair loss has a strikingly overwhelming psychological effect; thus, successful treatments are necessary. Difficulty lies in successful treatment interventions, as only two medications - minoxidil and finasteride - are approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia, and these medications offer mediocre results, lack of a permanent cure, and potential complications. Hair transplantation is the only current successful permanent option, and it requires surgical procedures. Several other medical options, such as antiandrogens (eg, spironolactone, oral contraceptives, cyproterone, flutamide, dutasteride), prostaglandin analogs (eg, bimatoprost, latanoprost), and ketoconazole are reported to be beneficial. Laser and light therapies have also become popular despite the lack of a profound benefit. Management of expectations is crucial, and the aim of therapy, given the current therapeutic options, is to slow or stop disease progression with contentment despite patient expectations of permanent hair regrowth. This article reviews current perspectives on therapeutic options for female pattern hair loss.