Loss of hair is a complex situation that generates significant concerns among individuals. Those who opt for mainstream medical treatments have to contend with limited options. Recently, though, the world has witnessed a steady rise in the number of natural therapies thought to help manage hair loss. A nutraceutical product containing Biotin, Folic Acid, Saw Palmetto, Fo-Ti, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Iron Ferrous Fumarate among other ingredients by the name Folexin has been developed with the objective of improving hair growth.
To this end, few scientific reviews exist touching on the subject matter of products of this nature. This emphasizes the need for randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled studies to assess the effectiveness of such oral supplements in strengthening existing hair and rejuvenating dormant hair follicles. The primary end point of such a study should be to statistically demonstrate the effectiveness of nutraceutical products in the management of self-perceived thinning.
Literature studies done on the specific ingredients used in Folexin, however, point to a significant possibility that this formulation might be of benefit to adults if utilized in appropriate dosages. Patel, Swink and Castelo-Soccio (2017) argue that though research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin-based products is limited, such supplementation might be of benefit in hair and nail growth. Patel et al. (2017) however, noted that more needs to be done to create sufficient evidence that such supplementation works in healthy individuals and its long-term effects.
Zhu, Gao, Yang, Li and Gao (2018) demonstrated that Serenoa repens (also known as Saw Palmetto) and also one of the ingredients in Folexin promoted hair regeneration by “activating TGF-β signaling and mitochondrial signaling pathway.” The study, however, failed to underscore the long-term use of long-term use of Serenoa repens. It also fell short of clarifying whether blending Serenoa repens with other ingredients as is the case with Folexin and other nutraceutical supplements reduces its effectiveness.
Mature adults who consume this products as directed report hair growth improvement within 10 weeks (Zhuli, 2019). However, it is worth keeping in mind that nutraceutical products largely remain a gray area as some subjects claim to benefit from them yet others report no major improvements. Therefore, there is need for members of the public to be sensitized on the potential benefits and limits that such therapies come with.
Conclusion
Plant-based extracts have been used in the management of hair loss symptoms for decades. But even with that said, more studies need to be done to assess the claims behind some of the nutraceutical brands being sold to members of the public. Our expert opinion, to this end, is that though Folexin might help in adult hair loss mitigation, more human-based studies need to be done to assess its long-term effects. More about this product and others of this nature can be found on this website among others.
