Effects of Dietary Supplements on Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of dietary supplements for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by analyzing 19 randomized controlled trials with 1,658 participants. The study found that supplements like Nutrafol, ALRV5XR, and pumpkin seed oil (PSO) significantly improved hair density and terminal hair density. Nutrafol was identified as the most effective for hair density, while ALRV5XR excelled in terminal hair density. The supplements were generally well tolerated, with mild adverse events reported. However, the study highlights the need for more comprehensive safety data and larger, high-quality studies due to limitations such as small sample sizes and short study durations. The findings suggest that dietary supplements are more effective as adjuncts rather than replacements for conventional treatments, with particular benefits observed in women, especially postmenopausal.