Q&A: The Science Behind Hair Growth with Nutrition Expert Jaclyn Safrath

The Nature’s Bounty® team sat down with Jaclyn Safrath, MPH, MS, Manager of Medical Affairs at Nature’s Bounty, a Nestlé Health Science brand, to learn more about hair health and the science behind the brand’s new Optimal Solutions® Hair Growth product.  

NB: Is it common for women to notice their hair thinning as they get older?  

JS: It is common for women to notice their hair start to thin as they get older. In general, women shed 50 to 100 single strands of hair per day. While hair shedding is a part of the natural hair cycle, noticeable hair thinning is not. More than 50 percent of women will experience noticeable hair loss by age 50, according to research. (1) 

NB: What are some of the most common reasons why hair thinning occurs?  

JS: There are three common reasons why women might experience hair thinning. First, it’s our lifecycle. Think about it – our body goes through various hormonal changes, including postpartum, menopause, as well as general changes spurred by aging. Second, lifestyle factors can play a big role in the quality and growth of our hair. Factors such as our nutrition levels, stress, environmental factors, cigarette use, hydration levels, and hair styling and treatments all play a role in the health of our hair.  Third, is genetics.  

It’s important to point out the difference between two types of hair—terminal hair and vellus hair. Terminal hair consists of thick and long hair strands. Vellus hair is lightly pigmented, fine, and short, and is often referred to as “peach fuzz.” In this case, terminal is positive as we want to ensure we have thicker and longer strands compared to vellus hair.  

Not all hair on your head is terminal hair. Once you notice a change in texture, thickness, and how much scalp is revealed in your part, it usually means the terminal hair is miniaturizing, and there’s a decrease in ratio of terminal to vellus hair – a key indicator of hair thinning.   

Look at your mother or grandmother’s part line or the hair line at their temples. Ask them if it’s the same width as when they were in high school. Most often, the part is wider now and they notice hair receding at their temples.  

The width of your part is an indicator of hair thinning, which researchers measure when studying hair thinning and hair growth.  

NB: What role does the scalp play in hair growth?  

JS: The scalp is the epicenter of hair growth, yet it’s an often-neglected area of the body. Hair follicles, found under the scalp, are what produce and retain hair strands. Hair shedding can occur when the follicles become clogged.  

Just as you care for the pores on your face, you must do the same for your scalp. You can detoxify your scalp in several ways, including massaging the scalp to stimulate blood flow and using shampoo and conditioners free from parabens and sulfates, which can cause build up over time. 

NB: What are the key nutrients found in the new Nature’s Bounty® Hair Growth supplement? And, how do these ingredients support the growth of thicker, fuller hair?  

JS: The Advanced Hair Complex found in the new Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Hair Growth product works by delivering nutrients to the hair follicles to encourage the growth of thicker, fuller hair.*  

The Advanced Hair Complex features a unique blend of three key nutrients that support thicker hair growth—Biotin, Silicon, and Arginine.*  

Biotin promotes hair protein synthesis to support hair structure. Silicon nourishes the hair.* And, Arginine, an amino acid found in keratin, helps enhance nutrient delivery to the follicle. 

According to a 2021 study published in the Journal of Clinical & Experimental Dermatology Research, researchers found that women, average age 46, with hair thinning who took a dietary supplement with Advanced Hair Complex (under the name Lustriva®) for three months, experienced a significant increase in hair thickness measured by comparing the percentage of terminal hair to vellus hair, compared to placebo. (2)  

This clinically studied combination of nutrients is delivered in our Advanced Hair Complex formula in Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Hair Growth product.  

NB: What are other ways women can support hair health?  

JS: There are other ways you can support the health of your hair, including finding ways to manage stress, and eating a healthy well-balanced diet with colorful fruits and vegetables and high-quality protein. In addition, reduce your hair’s exposure to high heat from curling irons and hair straighteners, and always keep the health of your scalp in mind to clear the way for hair growth.  

Try the new Nature’s Bounty® Optimal Solutions® Hair Growth which is clinically shown to help grow thicker, fuller hair in three months in a once-per-day formula.*  

References 

1. Gan DC, Sinclair RD. Prevalence of male and female pattern hair loss in Maryborough. In Proceedings of Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings. 184-189. (2005) 
2. Kalman DS et al. “A randomized double-blind evaluation of a novel biotin and silicon ingredient complex on the hair and skin of healthy women.” Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology Research, vol. 12, no. 1 (2021) 

Lustriva® is a registered trademark of Nutrition 21, LLC.