This week, I was reminded of how significant sulforaphane can be in hair growth. Apparently, there is a large number of women whose hair started thinning and falling out after having Covid. So how can sulforaphane and BrocElite help?
In one study I found, researchers investigated the effects of a Brassica oleracea extract, which has various glucosinolates, including sulforaphane, on hair growth. The researchers used in vitro and ex vivo models to evaluate the effect of the extract on hair follicles.
Brassica oleracea is a species of plant that includes various vegetables such as kale, broccoli, and cauliflower. These vegetables are known to contain glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing compounds that are “cousin” molecules to sulforaphane.
When the plant tissue is disrupted, for example, by chopping or chewing, an enzyme called myrosinase is released from the cell wall, which hydrolyzes glucosinolates into various metabolites, including sulforaphane.
In vitro studies involve using cells grown in a laboratory setting. The researchers found that the extract stimulated hair follicle cell proliferation and migration, which are important processes for hair growth. The extract also upregulated genes involved in hair growth, such as insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
Ex vivo studies involve using tissue samples from an organism in an artificial environment, such as a culture dish. The researchers found that the extract promoted hair shaft elongation and increased the number of hair follicles in ex vivo human scalp samples.
This research, along with our previous blog on how sulforaphane blocks DHT, continues to point to sulforaphane being an effective tool to promote hair growth.
1 Comment
I’m one whose hair dramatically thinned and fell out after COVID. In 2022, I had so many bald spots that I cut my remaining hair short and wore wigs for nearly a year. I tried all sorts of things I read about to stimulate my hair to grow back. Thankfully, I’m done with wigs as much of my hair did return, but it is still not as thick as before and a few small bald spots remain. I’m encouraged reading this blog post since I just recieved my first order of BrocElite, which I started taking it last week. I have been regulary taking BerbElite for over a month. Thanks for the information! I love your emails and blog posts.