8/12/2024

Hair Growth for Women: Minoxidil vs Finasteride

Which of these treatments was most effective for hair growth among postmenopausal women? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

8/15/2024

Nutrafol Vegan for Women’s Hair Growth?

Did taking Nutrafol Women's Vegan formula increase hair growth and reduce hair shedding? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements for hair.

8/04/2023

Black Currant or Caffeine for Hair?

Does black currant seed oil, or its constituent gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), increase hair growth? Find out what research suggests in the GLA section of our ALA and GLA Supplements Review, which includes our Top Pick for black currant seed oil.

Also find out if applying caffeine to the scalp increases hair growth and reduces shedding in our article about supplements and topicals for hair.

8/18/2023

Blood Pressure Meds & Hair

Be aware that different types of blood pressure medication have different effects on hair growth. Get the details in our article about hair growth.

9/29/2023

Nail Growth

Does biotin help nails to grow faster? Find out what research suggests, and also learn which topical treatment for hair growth may help nails to grow, in the Biotin section of our B Vitamin Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for biotin and other B vitamins.

6/01/2022

Help for Hair Growth?

Is there evidence that applying onion juice, castor oil, rice water, or aloe vera to the scalp aids in hair growth? We’ve added information about these approaches to our article about Supplements for Hair.

10/14/2015

Calcium Supplements Increase Kidney Stone Growth

Calcium supplementation is known to increase the risk of kidney stones in postmenopausal women. A new study shows that taking calcium nearly doubles the monthly growth of such stones in women prone to getting them. The study also assessed the effects of vitamin D supplementation. Details are found in the Calcium Supplements Review >>

6/03/2022

Nutrafol for Hair?

Is Nutrafol beneficial for hair growth? Get the details in our article about Supplements for Hair.

8/23/2022

Oral Minoxidil for Hair?

Use of minoxidil as an oral treatment for hair growth is gaining in popularity - although it's not an FDA approved use of this drug. Learn if it works, dosage, and side effects in our CL Answer about supplements and topical treatments for hair.

8/26/2022

Hair Growth Compared

We received and answered the following questions this week:

• Is low-dose minoxidil more effective than finasteride (Propecia)?
• How does pumpkin seed oil compare to minoxidil?

8/30/2022

Getting Minoxidil for Hair

A CL Member asked how to get low-dose minoxidil (for hair growth), since it usually comes in higher-dose tablets. Find out in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

8/30/2022

Tea Tree Oil Toxicity

Is tea tree oil safe to use around the eye? Be careful -- it can potentially cause eye injury.

There is also concern that tea tree oil can cause growth of breast tissue in young boys. Learn more about this in the Cautions and Concerns section of our Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils Review.

4/05/2024

Swelling from Minoxidil

Even when used topically, minoxidil may cause swelling of the hands and feet. Learn the factors that increase this risk, in our article about supplements and other treatment options for supplements and other treatment options for hair growth.

4/12/2024

Oral vs. Topical Minoxidil

How does taking low-dose minoxidil as a pill compare with topical minoxidil for hair growth? See what a recent study found in our article about supplements and treatments for hair.

7/29/2024

Saving on Minoxidil for Women

Did you know that women often pay more than men for topical minoxidil products? Learn why and how to avoid this in our article about products for hair growth.

7/28/2023

Amla for Hair?

Find out if taking amla syrup boosted hair growth in women losing hair in the Health Benefits section of our article about amla.

Also see our article about supplements for hair.

8/22/2023

Selenium & Hair

Although an essential nutrient, very high intake of selenium can cause hair to fall out, and a recent case report highlighted the need to consider how much selenium one gets from foods before supplementing with selenium. Get the details in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Selenium Supplements Review.

Also see our article about hair growth to find out which other supplements can cause hair to fall out.

9/29/2023

Allergic Reaction to Minoxidil

Some people have allergic skin reactions to minoxidil liquid. Learn why and how to avoid it in our article about hair growth.

10/28/2022

Medications & Losing Hair

A CL Member asked if lamotrigine, prescribed for seizures and bipolar disorder, can cause hair to fall out. The answer is yes -- it is among a number medications and supplements that can affect hair growth.

12/16/2022

Colostrum for Hair?

Can taking bovine colostrum (such as Armra Colostrum) promote the growth of hair? Find out what research suggests in our updated CL Answer about supplements for hair.

Also see our CL Answer about health benefits of bovine colostrum.

2/03/2023

Niacin & Cancer?

The NAD booster, nicotinamide riboside, might promote growth of existing cancers. Is there similar risk with niacin and niacinamide (nicotinamide)? Find out what evidence suggests in the Concerns and Cautions section of our NAD Booster Supplements Review.

Also, see our Top Pick among niacin supplements in our B Vitamin Supplements Review.

5/19/2023

NourishVita for Hair?

Does NourishVita Hair, Lash, & Brow Growth Supplement work? Find out in our article about supplements for hair.

7/01/2022

Shampoo for Hair Growth?

Is there evidence that shampoos like d'or Hair Thinning Therapy Shampoo or Nioxin really work? Find out in our updated CL Answer about supplements and topical treatments for hair.

8/02/2015

Prebiotics for Immune Health

Prebiotics are complex sugars which can support the growth of probiotic organisms in the gut. A recent study reported a specific type of prebiotic increased amounts of beneficial bacteria and improved certain markers of immune function in older men and women. Get the details, including dosage, plus our tests of popular probiotics and prebiotics in the Probiotic Supplements Review >>

3/11/2017

Prebiotics for Appetite Control?

A study suggests that a prebiotic supplement may be helpful for appetite control — although more research is needed. Prebiotics fuel the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. For more information about the study and prebiotics (including how to get prebiotics from foods), see the "Prebiotics" section of the Probiotics Supplements Review (which includes our tests of products) >>

7/20/2018

Green Tea as a Prebiotic

Green tea may have a prebiotic effect — stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Find out what clinical trials are showing in the What It Does section of the Green Tea Review. (Also see our Top Picks among green tea products).

8/13/2019

Vitamin D for Breast Cancer?

Some evidence suggests that having higher blood levels of vitamin D lowers the risk of breast cancer. Can very high-dose vitamin D slow tumor growth in women with breast cancer? See what a new study found in the Cancer section of the Vitamin D Supplements Review. Also see our Top Picks for vitamin D supplements.

7/27/2021

Fish Oil and Colon Cancer

Does fish oil supplementation decrease the risk of abnormal colorectal growths or other changes associated with colorectal cancer? See what a new study found in the Cancer section of our Fish Oil Supplements Review.

9/21/2021

PFAS Effects in Breast Milk

Higher concentrations of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in mothers appears to alter the fat composition of breast milk, according to a recent study. Learn more, including how this may affect infant growth, in our updated article about How to Avoid PFAS, which includes information about PFAS in dental floss, foods and bottled water.

12/06/2020

Yacon Syrup for Weight Management?

A new study tested whether yacon syrup can affect hunger hormones and decrease appetite after eating. See the results in our updated answer to the question: Does yacon syrup help with weight management? How do I find a quality brand?

10/29/2018

Don't Take Calcium With Thyroid Hormone

A study showed negative effects of taking calcium too soon after taking levothyroxine (Synthroid). For details on how to safely take this combination, see the update in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Calcium Supplements Review. (Also see our Top Picks for calcium.)

11/20/2018

Soy Can Affect Thyroid

Daily intake of soy isoflavones (as found in soy protein and soy isoflavone supplements) can affect thyroid hormone levels — even in people with normal thyroid function, according to a recent study. For details, see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Menopause Supplements Review and the Protein Supplements Review.

6/11/2019

Does Dark Chocolate Improve Mood?

A recent study evaluated whether eating dark chocolate improved mood and reduced levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. See the results in the What It Does section of the Dark Chocolate and Cocoa Review. Also see our Top Picks among products.

9/17/2019

Ashwagandha for Stress and Anxiety

Can ashwagandha decrease symptoms of anxiety and lower levels of a stress hormone? See what a new study found in the Anxiety, Stress and Insomnia section of the Ashwagandha Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick for ashwagandha.

1/12/2020

Concern With Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha can increase thyroid hormone levels, resulting in thyroid toxicity, even in people without a history of thyroid disease. Read about a recent case and learn symptoms to look for in the Concerns and Cautions section of the Ashwagandha Supplements Review. Also see our Top Pick among ashwagandha supplements.

9/02/2017

Ashwagandha & Thyroid Function

Ashwagandha extract improved thyroid hormone levels in men and women with subclinical hypothyroidism in a new study. See the details in the "What It Does" section of our Ashwagandha Supplements Review -- which includes our Top Pick among ashwagandha supplements.

11/21/2015

Genetically-engineered Salmon: How it Compares

This week the FDA approved a genetically-engineered, farmed salmon as safe for consumption — but how do amounts of omega-3's and hormones compare with non-genetically engineered salmon? Get the details in the update to the Fish Oil and Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplements Review (Including Krill, Algae, Calamari, Green-lipped Mussel Oil) >>

7/07/2013

Calcium and Vitamin D to Prevent Fractures

A large study among post-menopausal women receiving hormone therapy showed a much lower rate of hip fracture among those who received a specific calcium/vitamin D supplement compared to those who did not get the supplement. For details about the supplement, as well as test results and comparisons for 13 calcium/vitamin D supplements, see the updated Calcium Supplements Review >>

11/21/2023

Vitamin D for Thyroid Disease?

Does taking vitamin D improve thyroid function in women with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Vitamin D Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks for vitamin D.

Also see: I take levothyroxine (Synthroid), a thyroid hormone to treat hypothyroidism. Are there supplements or foods I should avoid, or be taking?

5/21/2024

Ashwagandha Can Impact Thyroid Function

Be aware that ashwagandha supplements may increase thyroid hormone levels and cause side effects, as was recently reported. Get the details, including symptoms, in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Ashwagandha Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks.

9/17/2024

Probiotic for Blood Sugar Control?

The probiotic Akkermansia muciniphila has been promoted for blood sugar and appetite control, possibly by increasing GLP-1, that same “satiety” hormone targeted by medications like semaglutide (Ozempic). But does it really work? See what evidence suggests in the Blood sugar and appetite control section of our Probiotics Supplements Review, which includes our Top Picks among probiotic supplements.

10/05/2014

Black Cohosh Improves Menopause Symptoms and Decreases Fibroid Size

A popular black cohosh supplement significantly improved symptoms of menopause and decreased the size of fibroids, according to a new clinical study. Among women who, instead, took a hormone replacement drug, menopausal symptoms also improved, but the size of fibroids slightly increased. Get the details, including the brand and dose, in the update to the Menopause Supplements Review >> 

10/04/2011

Saw Palmetto May Not Work

It's used by many men hoping to reduce urinary symptoms caused by benign growth of the prostate, or BPH, but a new, well-designed study suggests that it doesn't work. Some other recent research suggest the same. Even when doubling and tripling the standard dose, the high-quality saw palmetto extract used in the new study failed to provide benefit.

What should you do? You may want to consider a different supplement -- beta-sitosterol, a phytosterol. The evidence remains fairly good for beta-sitosterol. To find out more about saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and the supplements we have tested, see the Prostate Supplements Review. More >>