Hair loss and hair thinning in women is very common, especially as women near menopause. It’s suggested that it’s often caused by hormonal changes, which makes sense. Thinning hair can be really upsetting to deal with, and can sometimes be difficult to treat. I came across some new research I wanted to share about hair loss in women. I was pretty impressed by the study, so I wanted to share the information in case it helps anyone.
The study was on the antioxidant pycnogenol, which is an extract from French maritime pine bark (pronounced pick-nodge-eh-nol) that measured hair density in menopausal women. Hair density if a useful way to study hair thinning since it literally means counting the amount of hairs in a specific measured area.
The study consisted of women aged 45-60 and measured how many hairs they had in a specific square centimeter on their heads, which averaged 225.8 hairs at the beginning of the study. After two months of taking pycnogenol at a dose of 150mg a day broken up into three 50mg doses, the average women’s hair density increased from 225.8 hairs in one square centimeter to 293.6 hairs after two months of taking pycnogenol, a 30% increase. The women in the placebo group did not experience a significant change in their hair density. That sounds pretty impressive to me. The study also measured that the women who took pycnogenol had increased scalp circulation- poor blood circulation in the scalp is associated with hair loss.
I certainly don’t mean to put the supplement pycnogenol forward as a miracle for female hair loss, but the research is definitely impressive. I’ve spoken to many women who have come into the health food store who are anxious about hair loss, so this does seem like something to try. I’d also say that for the vast majority of women who I’ve spoken to who are worried about their own hair loss, that it usually doesn’t seem very noticeable to me. I do think we’re the most critical of ourselves, where we may feel lacking in some way that we’re worried about, but then it often isn’t even noticed by anyone else.
Still, pycnogenol is an interesting supplement since it has so many different and seemingly unrelated benefits. It’s been shown to help with blood flow, both to the legs and for cardiovascular health, and is also often used to help with asthma symptoms in children and adults. One of the most impressive results of pycnogenol, other than this new research for hair loss, is for brain function in adults middle aged and older. I wrote about pycnogenol back in 2017 when the research came out, but the information is still relevant.
A year long, placebo controlled study on pycnogenol and brain function followed seventy-seven adults aged 55 to 70. Half the group was given 100 milligrams of pycnogenol daily, and at the end of the study, tests showed a seventy-two percent improvement in decision making in the pycnogenol group (vs. a five percent decline in the placebo group). The attention span of the group that took pycnogenol was increased by forty-one percent and memory improved by thirty-seven percent (compared to a ten percent decline in the control group).
Pycnogenol has also been shown to aid in lowering blood pressure, helping to normalize blood pressure readings in fifty-eight percent of hypertensive patients. Another study found that participants who took Pycnogenol were able to reduce their blood pressure medications after taking the supplement for 12 weeks.
Other double-blind studies have reported pycnogenol’s benefit for lowering blood sugar in patients with Type 2 diabetes. After twelve weeks of taking the French maritime pine bark extract, it was reported that the supplement, “significantly lowered plasma glucose levels” when compared with the placebo. Pycnogenol also improved blood flow and blood vessel health.
I really love supplements that have more than one different benefit, and I’d say pycnogenol definitely excels in that area. Something thing to keep in mind however, it that the majority of these studies are done over a decent period of time, ranging from two months to a year, so as with any supplement, it’s good to be patient and give it some time to work. Also, no matter how great a study says something is, nothing works 100% of the time for every single person. Still, I think pycnogenol is an impressive supplement that’s worth trying. It has a long safety record, but it’s always a good idea to tell your doctor or pharmacist of any supplements you’re taking in case of drug interactions. For example, pycnogenol shouldn’t be taken with prescription blood thinning medications because it has a slight blood thinning effect.
Stop by Pass Health Foods in Palos Heights if you have any questions, we’d love to help you further. We’re at 7228 W. College Drive in Palos Heights.
