Age-related hair loss and vitamin E
Posted: Fri Aug 23, 2019 12:26 pm
One of the biggest cosmetic challenges associated with ageing is hair loss which affects most men (~70%) and women (~60%). We know, at least since 2000 (Naziroglu and Kokcam), that hair loss is associated with an increased oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.
A relatively small double-blind placebo-controlled trial (n=21) from 2010 (Beoy et al.) looked into whether vitamin E supplementation can increase hair count. Because α-tocotrienol was shown to be 40-60-fold more potent than α-tocopherol against lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomal membranes, the participants were given 50 mg of mixed tocotrienols per day (note that tocotrienols are less popular than tocopherols).
The treatment group's hair count increased by 15.2% after just 4 months and by 34.5% after 8 months. One participant in the treatment group did not experience an increase in their hair count. There was no significant change in the placebo group (the hair count change was -0.1% after 8 months). There was a change in hair weight after 8 months (5.9% for the treatment group and -2.0% for the placebo group) but it did not reach statistical significance (perhaps due to the small sample size).
Of course the study is small and has many limitations (e.g. men and women analysed together) but it strongly suggests that a supplementation or nutrition-based approach should be considered in treating or slowing down hair loss. Rice bran has one of the highest concentrations of α-tocotrienol (236 mg/L). Other natural sources of tocotrienols are barley, hazelnut, walnut, flax seeds, oats, maize and poppy.
Have any of you tried supplementing tocotrienols (or increasing the intake through diet) and have noticed improvements in your hair?
A relatively small double-blind placebo-controlled trial (n=21) from 2010 (Beoy et al.) looked into whether vitamin E supplementation can increase hair count. Because α-tocotrienol was shown to be 40-60-fold more potent than α-tocopherol against lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomal membranes, the participants were given 50 mg of mixed tocotrienols per day (note that tocotrienols are less popular than tocopherols).
The treatment group's hair count increased by 15.2% after just 4 months and by 34.5% after 8 months. One participant in the treatment group did not experience an increase in their hair count. There was no significant change in the placebo group (the hair count change was -0.1% after 8 months). There was a change in hair weight after 8 months (5.9% for the treatment group and -2.0% for the placebo group) but it did not reach statistical significance (perhaps due to the small sample size).
Of course the study is small and has many limitations (e.g. men and women analysed together) but it strongly suggests that a supplementation or nutrition-based approach should be considered in treating or slowing down hair loss. Rice bran has one of the highest concentrations of α-tocotrienol (236 mg/L). Other natural sources of tocotrienols are barley, hazelnut, walnut, flax seeds, oats, maize and poppy.
Have any of you tried supplementing tocotrienols (or increasing the intake through diet) and have noticed improvements in your hair?