What is Nutrafol?
If you’ve been looking around for the best way to reduce or reverse hair loss then you’ve probably come across Nutrafol. Nutrafol is a nutraceutical that is formulated to target multiple root causes of hair loss, including stress, hormones, aging, metabolism, nutrition, and lifestyle. Nutrafol is 100% drug-free and made from natural ingredients.
What is a nutraceutical?
Nutrafol is what is called a nutraceutical. But, just what is a nutraceutical?
A nutraceutical is a term that combines “nutrition” and “pharmaceutical.” It refers to a type of food or food product that is considered to have potential health benefits beyond basic nutritional value. Nutraceuticals are often associated with promoting health, preventing or managing certain medical conditions, and improving overall well-being.
These products can include dietary supplements, functional foods, herbal products, vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive compounds extracted from natural sources. Nutraceuticals are typically consumed in the form of pills, capsules, powders, or beverages.
The concept of nutraceuticals lies at the intersection of traditional nutrition and modern medicine, aiming to bridge the gap between the two fields. While some nutraceuticals have scientific evidence supporting their health claims, others may lack substantial clinical research and may not be approved or regulated as rigorously as pharmaceutical drugs.
Ingredients in Nutrafol
Nutrafol is a patented product that contains a number of different ingredients. According to the patent, Nutrafol contains:
- about 100 mg to 1000 mg of an extract of Curcuma longa
- from about 100 mg to 1000 mg of an extract of the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera
- at least about 200 mg of saw palmetto extract
- from about 225 mcg to 300 mcg of iodine
How much saw palmetto is in Nutrafol?
Well, according to the patent it contains about 200 milligrams of saw palmetto extract. However, I believe this amount may vary depending upon whether it is the formula for men or for women. Men tend to have more issues with DHT so a higher concentration of saw palmetto extract could be more effective for them. In fact, in the patent it states that the preferred embodiment for male subjects is at least about 500 mg of bioactive saw palmetto, preferably standardized to contain at least about 85% fatty acids and sterols.
For women the preferred embodiment includes at least about 200 mg of bioactive saw palmetto extract, preferably standardized to contain at least about 85% fatty acids and sterols.
This embodiment containing less saw palmetto is preferred in women due to the fact that women typically have about 5 times less total testosterone than men. The same benefits can be achieved with less of this DHT inhibitor since women have less testosterone which can be metabolized into DHT.
If you’re interested in Nutrafol you can find it in formulations for both men and women on Amazon.
Overall, the formulation seems reasonable. Many saw palmetto supplements contain about the same amount but do not contain the other ingredients. Most of the studies showing a beneficial affect utilized dosages of up to 320 milligrams of saw palmetto.
The patent also states that the formulation may contain:
- at least about 100 mg of tocotrienols and tocopherols comprising a complex of about 78% tocotrienols and about 22% tocopherols
- at least about 1000 mg of Type I and III collagen having a molecular weight of less than about 3000 Daltons
- at least about 100 mg of hyaluronic acid
Does Nutrafol Work?
Opinions on Nutrafol’s supplements are diverse when it comes to its effectiveness. While some clinical trials and reviews suggest that the products can gradually show positive results over time, there are also users who expressed dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
For individuals with minimal hair loss, Nutrafol might be effective as the supplements are designed to support healthy hair growth and enhance thickness.
Nutrafol For Men
Here is one case given as an example in the patent application:
A 49-year-old man noticed mild hair thinning at the age of 28 but experienced more pronounced hair loss after undergoing radiation therapy for thyroid cancer at 32. For 17 years, he tried various FDA-approved drugs and natural supplements with minimal improvement. He was also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and experienced chronic stress, which worsened his hair condition.
The subject started a treatment regimen that included Curcumin, Ashwagandha, Saw Palmetto extract, and tocotrienol/tocopherol complex, followed by hydrolyzed marine collagen and hyaluronic acid. After seven months, he observed reduced hair loss, improved hair quality, and notable new hair growth, especially at the frontal hairline, temples, and vertex. His hair loss progression was halted, and the bald spot on his crown significantly decreased.
Throughout the experiment, the subject experienced no noticeable side effects from the treatment.
Here is another:
A 36-year-old man with early-stage male pattern hair loss (MPHL), rated as stage II on the Hamilton-Norwood scale, started taking a specific combination of supplements daily. These supplements included curcumin, piperine, withanolides, Serenoa repens, tocotrienol/tocopherol complex, hydrolyzed collagen types I and III, hyaluronic acid, vitamins (A, D, C), selenium, biotin, capsaicin, resveratrol, L-methionine, and L-cysteine hydrochloride. After six months, he observed a significant improvement in his hair condition. The hair loss progression halted, and he noticed new hair growth, especially in the frontal area, filling in his receding hairline. His hair also became thicker and more manageable. His wife and colleagues also noticed the increased hair growth and thickness. Additionally, the subject experienced overall improved health and increased libido.
Nutrafol For Women
Here is a case study involving Nutrafol and Women:
Forty women between the ages of 21 and 65, who were in good health and had different skin types, participated in this study. These women also reported experiencing thinning hair. They were divided into two groups, and neither the participants nor the researchers knew which group they were in. One group (consisting of 26 women) received a specific treatment, while the other group (14 women) received a placebo, both once a day.
Throughout the study, the participants were examined at three different time points: at the beginning of the study, after three months, and after six months. A small area (2 cm2) on the scalp was selected and marked, located at the junction of the frontal and lateral hairline.
The main aspects the researchers looked at were the changes in the number of vellus (fine and light-colored) and terminal (thicker and darker) hairs on the scalp, which were analyzed using a special technique called phototrichogram. The researchers assessed these changes on the 90th and 180th days of the study.
In addition to these main aspects, the researchers also considered other factors. They evaluated the hair growth and quality based on assessments made by expert physicians who were unaware of which treatment each participant received. They also looked at the improvement in the thickness of terminal hairs, measured the hair mass index, and asked the participants to complete self-assessment questionnaires about ease of use and quality of life during each visit.
After taking Nutrafol for six months the participants filled out a questionnaire. The results were interesting. The list below shows the percentage of participants that showed an improvement in the specified category:
- Overall hair growth 80.8%
- Overall hair volume 73.1%
- Thickness of hair body 80.8%
- Hair color 23.1%
- Amount of noticeable new hair 76.9%
- Hair growth rate 73.1%
- Stress level 15.4%
- Anxiety level 15.4%
- Overall well-being 19.2%
- Skin smoothness 23.1%
- Overall skin health 26.9%
The findings of this research suggest that taking Nutrafol led to enhanced hair growth in women who perceived their hair to be thinning. Additionally, most of the treated subjects reported positive changes in essential aspects of hair quality and overall well-being.
Side Effects Of Nutrafol
No negative events or side effects were reported from Nutrafol during these studies. The participants found Nutrafol to be easily manageable and seamlessly integrated it into their daily lives.
Although, Nutrafol states on there site that:
We do not recommend Nutrafol to anyone under the age of 18. Also, while we have no reason to believe it’s harmful, there have not been enough studies for us to say Nutrafol is suitable during pregnancy—so we recommend skipping it while pregnant or trying to conceive and sticking with Nutrafol Postpartum while breastfeeding. If you have a medical condition, or are taking medications (especially anticoagulant and blood-thinning drugs), please consult with your physician before taking Nutrafol.
If you’re interested in Nutrafol you can find it in formulations for both men and women on Amazon.
