Marine Based Ingredients (Collagen Hydrolysates)Collagen is an essential component of the extracellular matrix.71 Collagen hydrolysates are commonly extracted from marine sources for use in nutraceuticals. Hydrolyzing collagen yields dipeptides, tripeptides, and free amino acids. Following ingestion, radiolabeled collagen hydrolysates are absorbed in the intestines, distributed to tissues including the skin and persist for up to 14 days.72 Collagen fragments serve as building blocks for collagen and bind to receptors on fibroblasts stimulating collagen production.73 They also have antioxidant, photoprotective, and immune modulating properties.74,75 Nutraceuticals containing collagen hydrolysates have been shown to improve hair growth in patients with telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia.76,77Evaluation of Nutrafol® Safety and EfficacyThe hair loss supplement Nutrafol® is currently being investigated in several multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-control studies . Herein we present several case studies of subjects treated with Nutrafol® as monotherapy. These cases demonstrate clinical improvement, and were associated with a high degree of patient satisfaction and a favorable safety profile.Case 1A 52-year-old woman before and after two years of Nutrafol® use (Figure 2). She had a history of chronic anemia, now resolved, and diverticulitis. She takes no medications. Her family history includes early hair loss in father, sister, and brother and she believes stress and childbearing triggered her hair loss. Prior to Nutrafol®, she tried minoxidil for a couple of months but discontinued after not seeing results. She expressed high levels of satisfaction with Nutrafol®, no side effects, and plans in continuing therapy indefinitely.Case 2A 45-year-old female with early signs of diffuse pattern hair loss before and 4 months after Nutrafol® supplementation (Figure 3). She had no family history of hair loss, did not want to take any prescription drugs and was seeking a nutraceutical solution
