Nutritionist Review of Nutrafol
Are you noticing more hair in your brush and clogging your shower drain, or starting to see your scalp a little more lately? Hair loss can be incredibly traumatic, but you’re not alone. If affects 80% of men and half of all women during their lifetime.
We have tons of clients who come to us desperately seeking nutritional remedies or questioning whether hair shedding could be related to nutritional deficiencies.
While there are a long list of hair loss culprits, there is an even longer list of possible remedies from shampoos to supplements. First, it is important that you seek professional help to rule out more serious conditions of hair loss and potentially help you pinpoint the most plausible root causes. Some of the most common contributors that we notice within our patient population include:
Stress hair loss - this is often related to any type of traumatic stress on the body including childbirth, illness/infection (COVID), nutritional deficiencies often brought on by eating disorders or rapid weight loss, birth control pill cessation, etc.
Genetic and/or hormonal hair loss - hormonal hair loss, otherwise known as androgenetic alopecia, is often a symptom of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), but is not always related. It often comes out in non-PCOS women with advanced age.
Many experience both 1 and 2 concurrently. A dietitian and dermatologist team can help you narrow down the issues and formulate a targeted treatment plan. This may or may not include supplementation.
Speaking of supplements, Nutrafol is one of the leading hair loss supplement solutions thanks to top-notch SEO and strategic marketing.
What is Nutrafol?
Nutrafol is a vitamin and herbal supplement formulated specifically for hair growth.
Here is what Nutrafol claims:
A 6-month randomized, double-blind trial demonstrated 80% improvement in hair growth and hair thickening, and 73% saw improved growth rate.
Here is the problem:
Aside from this one study that was only done on a total of 40 participants, there is no other compelling evidence to support Nutrafol efficacy. Further, this one “promising” trial was paid for by the very company who sells you Nutrafol supplements. Suspect? While this is pretty typical of many product studies, it should also raise some flags, or at the very least draw some skepticism.
Ultimately, more studies need to be done in order to prove that this product works. In the meantime, you can decide if you want to invest in taking Nutrafol. It is certainly a commitment as it costs upwards of $80 per month. And remember, like with most lifestyle changes or products, the results will typically only last as long as you continue to stick with the supplement.
Our opinion:
We have a front-row seat as to whether this can demonstrate noticeable improvements in hair growth and restoration because many of our clients have tried it for periods of 3-6 months. While we haven’t seen any remarkable changes in our clients when taking Nutrafol alone, it may not hurt and might help boost growth while pursuing other treatment options. Majority of those who take Nutrafol also try other remedies and therefore, it’s tricky to conclude whether it’s the supplement that’s helping or the other remedies - or both!
What’s your experience on Nutrafol? Write us and let us know!
If you’re struggling with hair loss, we understand how stressful and devastating this can be. While nutrition is not a magic cure, it can either help or hurt your hair growth journey.
Reach out to us and we can set you up with one of our hair growth specialists.