Written by James C. Morton Jr., Staff Writer. In a six month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical research study, marine complex supplement significantly promotes hair growth (7.3%) and hair conditions in men compared to baseline and placebo group.
Androgenic alopecia (male/female-baldness) is the most frequent cause of hair loss that affects 50 million men and 30 million women in the United States. It is characterized by the loss of hair in a well-defined pattern, either beginning at the temples or at the crown of the head, and then progressively receding partially or completely (1). This condition can be associated with various factors that involve dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen overexpression, stress, lack of essential nutrients, obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Other medical conditions for men may be enlargement of the prostate gland and for women the use of birth control, postmenopausal or polycystic ovary syndrome (2).The latest statistics on the cost for treating hair loss range from $300 to $600 a year on chemicals, or $4000 to $15,000 per hair transplant (3).
The most popular treatment approach for androgenic alopecia is the use of prescription and some over-the-counter medication, and hair transplant procedures. Unfortunately, there are side effects for using chemicals like minoxidil (rogaine) or finasteride (propecia) and hair transplant surgery can be very expensive (4).
Fortunately, a 2016 study (5) reveals that a marine complex supplement increases hair growth and hair stability conditions. The study involved 60 healthy male patients ((average age 44.5 years) with clinically diagnosed pattern hair loss. They were given either 905.8milligrams of a marine complex supplement (452.9mg twice a day) or a placebo. The marine complex supplement contained vitamin C (from acerola powder and ascorbic acid), zinc (from zinc oxide), shark powder, mollusk powder, horsetail extract and flax seed extract. Before, during, and after the study, physical examination and evaluation of hair and scalp were measured with the digital photography and trichoanalysis imaging (6, 7).
After 180 days researchers noted the following: (p<0.001 = significant)
| 90 Days Evaluation | 180 Days Evaluation | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Factors | Marine Complex | Placebo | Marine Complex | Placebo |
| Total Hair Count | 4.07% Increase (162.2 to 169.1) p<0.001 | .6% Decrease (152.2 to 151.3) Not Significant | 7.3% Increase (162.2 to 174.9) p<0.001 | 3.5% Decrease (152.2 to 147.0) Not Significant |
| Total Hair Density | 4.08% Increase (159.7 to 166.5) p<0.001 | .66% Decrease (150.0 to 149.0) Not Significant | 7.2% Increase (159.7 to 172.2) p<0.001 | 3.5% Decrease (150.0 to 144.7) Not Significant |
| Terminal Hair Density (coarse short or long) | 4.5% Increase (122.0 to 127.7) p<0.001 | 2.9% Decrease (104.7 to 101.7) Not Significant | 6.4% Increase (122.0 to 130.4) p<0.001 | 5.3% Decrease (104.7 to 99.2) Not Significant |
In addition, a hair pull test significantly showed improvement with the marine complex supplement versus the placebo group at 90 days (p<0.05), and 180 days (0.001). The use of the marine complex continued to demonstrate as a safe supplement with no adverse events, and improved patients’ self-esteem (8).
When suggesting how marine complex benefits those with androgenic alopecia, the researchers pointed to the marine complex (shark and mollusk powder) formulation and nutritional ingredients (horsetail extract, zinc, vitamin C, flax seed) that helps strengthen hair, and reduces shedding and thinning of hair(9, 10,). They went on to conclude that prior studies have showed that a marine complex supplement significantly increases volume, nail strength, and quality of skin when assessed on women (11). Researchers also stated the need to conduct longer studies beyond 180 days, and that the Vellus Hair Density (thin hair on scalp) only showed significance at 90 days.
Source: Ablon, Glynis. “A 6‐month, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study evaluating the ability of a marine complex supplement to promote hair growth in men with thinning hair.” Journal of cosmetic dermatology 15, no. 4 (2016): 358-366.
© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Posted November 2, 2016.
References:
- “Androgenic Alopecia” posted on the NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine website.
- “Type of Hair Loss” posted on the WebMD website.
- “Medical Treatment for Balding Men” posted on the American Family Physician website.
- ”Treatment and Drugs for Hair Loss” posted on the Mayo Clinic website.
- Ablon G. A 6-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the ability of a marine complex supplement to promote hair growth in men with thinning hair. Journal of Cosmetic Deratology. 2016 July:17 (1-9).
- TrichoScan, DermoScan GmbH, Regensburg Germany. Available:http://www.dermoscan.de/en/products/ Accessed May, 2016.
- Jain N, Doshi B, Khopkar U. Trichoscopy in alopecias: diagnosis simplified. Int J Trichology 2013; 5: 170–8.
- Ablon G. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of an oral supplement in women with self- perceived thinning hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2012; 5: 28–34
- Ablon G, Dayan S. A randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled, multi-center, extension trial evaluating the efficacy of a new oral supplement in women with self-perceived thinning hair. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol 2015; 8: 15–21. 10. Ablon G. A 3-month, randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled study evaluating the ability of an extra-strength marine protein supplement to promote hair growth and decrease shedding in women with self-perceived thinning hair. Dermatol Res Pract 2015; 2015: 841570
- Rizer RL, Stephens TJ, Herndon JH et al. A marine protein-based dietary supplement for subclinical hair
- thinning/loss:results of a multisite, double-blind, placebocontrolled clinical trial. Int J Trichology 2015; 7: 156–66.
