Systematic review Key points Are nutritional supplements or dietary interventions safe and effective for patients with hair loss? Findings In this systematic review of 30 nutritional intervention studies, the highest quality evidence suggests the potential effectiveness of Viviscal, Nourkrin, Nutrafol, Lamdapil, Pantogar, Capsaicin and isoflavone, omega 3 and 6 with antioxidants, apple nutraceutical, total glycosides of peony and tablets composed of glycyrrhizin, zinc, tocotrienol and pumpkin seed oil. No data were identified for dietary interventions. Meaning The findings of this systematic review indicate that nutritional interventions may benefit select patients with hair loss and, although few adverse events were reported, clinicians should engage in shared decision-making with patients given the lack of federal oversight of these. regimes. |
Importance
Despite the widespread use of nutritional supplements and dietary interventions to treat hair loss, the safety and effectiveness of available products remain unclear.
Aim
To evaluate and compile findings from all dietary and nutritional interventions for the treatment of hair loss among people without a known baseline nutritional deficiency.
Evidence Review
The MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to October 20, 2021 to identify articles written in English with original research findings of dietary and nutritional interventions in people with alopecia or hair loss without a deficiency. known basal nutritional status.
Quality was assessed using the Oxford Center for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria. The outcomes of interest were the course of the disease, measured both objectively and subjectively. Data was evaluated from January 3 to 11, 2022.
Findings
Database searches yielded 6347 citations to which 11 articles were added from reference lists. Of this total, 30 articles were included: 17 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), 11 clinical studies (non-RCTs) and 2 case series studies. No diet-based intervention studies met the inclusion criteria.
Nutrition intervention studies with the highest quality evidence showed the potential benefit of Viviscal, Nourkrin, Nutrafol, Lamdapil, Pantogar, capsaicin and isoflavone, omegas 3 and 6 with antioxidants, apple nutraceutical, peony total glycosides and glycyrrhizin tablets compound, zinc, tocotrienol and pumpkin seed oil. Kimchi and cheonggukjang, vitamin D 3, and Forti5 had low-quality evidence for improvement of disease course.
Adverse effects were rare and mild for all therapies evaluated.
Conclusions and relevance
- The findings of this systematic review should be interpreted in the context of each study design; However, this work suggests a potential role for nutritional supplements in the treatment of hair loss.
- Clinicians should engage in shared decision making covering the potential risks and benefits of these treatments with patients experiencing hair loss. Future research should focus on larger RCTs with active comparators.
