Fish oil supplements have been proven to be beneficial in several areas, such as treating high triglycerides and helping to prevent heart disease. Hair loss is not one of them, however, and there is little more than anecdotal evidence to support that claim. Fish oil may increase the risk of bleeding so you should consult with your physician before taking.
How is Fish Oil Obtained?
Fish oil can be made from a number of different types of fish, including herring, tuna, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and salmon, as well as from whale or seal blubber. The fish are cooked in order to turn the fat into liquid and placed in high-speed drums that separate the oil from the rest of the fish. The fish oil is purified and deodorized in a process that takes several months to complete. The remaining fish product is turned into fish meal.
Fish Oil and Hair Loss
There are no published studies by credible sources to support fish oil as a hair loss treatment. The omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil can reduce inflammation, which can contribute to hair loss. The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education states that inflammation around the hair follicle aborts hair growth and that inflammation on the hair stem cells, which are located on the hair follicles, can destroy the follicle.
The University of Maryland Medical recommends taking omega-3 fatty acids for hair disorders, as well as vitamins A, C and E, which also may be contained in fish oil. Check your label to see the vitamin content.
Pattern Baldness and Inflammation
The most common type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia, which is simply male, or female, pattern baldness and affects roughly 50 percent of men and women by the age of 40. Pattern baldness is influenced by age, heredity and an abundance of a hormone known as DHT, which will shrink the hair follicle over time.
One study by Yann Mahe, M.D., that appeared in the issue International Journal of Dermatology claimed that a significant degree of inflammation and fibrosis were present in at least 37 percent of androgenetic alopecia cases, giving some credence to the notion that fish oil may help with some pattern baldness cases, although it has not been tested specifically for that use.
Safety
MedlinePlus claims that fish oil is likely to be safe if you take less than 3 grams per day; more than that can keep blood from clotting and increase bleeding. Fish oil may also cause an increase in the effects of blood-pressure lowering medications. If you have bipolar disorder, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure or HIV/AIDS you should use extreme caution when taking fish oil and consult with your physician first.
References
- MedlinePlus: Fish Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hair Disorders
- Cooper Aerobics: How’s It Made? Fish Oil
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Cleveland Clinic Center For Continuing Education: Hair Disorders
- Wiley Online Library: “International Journal of Dermatology”; Androgenetic alopecia and microinflammation; Yann F. Mahe et al.; August 2000
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