Humans have experienced hair loss for thousands of years and tried to find ways to stop it. In ancient Egypt, unusual treatments included applying boiled porcupine hair to the scalp and consuming the leg of a female greyhound. Hippocrates even touted castration as a baldness prevention.
Currently, supplements are a common source people turn to in the hopes of preventing hair loss or restoring hair. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill, but certain supplements can potentially aid in hair growth or mediate hair loss.
What Causes Hair Loss?
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia, and it is caused by an autoimmune reaction attacking hair follicles. This is generally caused by the combination of genetic factors, such as family history and genetic markers, and environmental factors, including stress, infections, and dietary influences.