Nutraceutical supplements may promote hair growth in women at midlife: Study

A nutraceutical product may be defined as a substance, which has physiological benefit or provides protection against chronic diseases. Nutraceuticals may be used to improve health, delay the aging process, prevent chronic diseases, increase life expectancy, or support the structure or function of the body.

Some popular nutraceuticals include ginseng, Echinacea, green tea, glucosamine, omega-3, lutein, folic acid, and cod liver oil. Majority of the nutraceuticals possess multiple therapeutic properties.

Researchers compared results at 6 months and 12 months of treatment and found that mean total hair counts increased significantly and progressively. Global hair quality improvements significantly increased by 40% with few or no side effects, along with a decrease in hair shedding.

"With the aging of our society and the fact that women now spend approximately one-third of their lives in the postmenopausal period, research into interventions for menopause symptoms, including hair thinning, is critical, especially with therapeutic options being so limited," says Dr. Glynis Ablon of the Ablon Skin Institute and Research Center in California and lead author of the study.

"Hair loss is a significant concern for midlife women," says Dr. Stephanie Faubion, NAMS medical director. "Additional research will help confirm the long-term efficacy of nutraceutical supplements."

Drs. Ablon and Faubion are available for interviews before and after the presentation at the Annual Meeting.

For more information about midlife women's health issues, menopause and healthy aging, visit menopause.org.