Encyclopedia · supplement
Vitamin E and tocotrienols
One small 8-month trial of tocotrienols reported more scalp hairs, with a manufacturer link and no replication.
What it is
Vitamin E is a family of fat-soluble antioxidants. Tocotrienols are one branch, found in palm oil and rice bran. True vitamin E deficiency is rare.
How it works
The claim is that antioxidant action reduces oxidative stress in the scalp. This has not been shown in people.
What the studies show
- In 21 versus 17 volunteers given 100 mg of mixed tocotrienols a day or placebo for 8 months, hair count rose 34.5% with tocotrienols and fell 0.1% with placebo. Hair weight was unchanged. A co-author is affiliated with the maker, the study is small, and the hair-loss type was not specified. Beoy 2010
- A systematic review of 30 studies listed tocotrienol among interventions with the highest-quality, still limited, evidence of benefit in people without known deficiency. Drake 2023
- A review found the role of vitamin E in alopecia unclear. Almohanna 2019
How it's used in studies
The trial used 100 mg of mixed tocotrienols a day for 8 months.
Side effects and safety
The European upper limit for supplemental vitamin E is 300 mg a day for adults and is under review. High doses can raise bleeding tendency and interact with blood thinners.
Bottom line
Interesting but thin and industry-linked. It does not replace proven treatments. Discuss with a doctor.
Studies 3
Beoy LA et al. Effects of tocotrienol supplementation on hair growth in human volunteers. 2010
Tested: 100 mg/day mixed tocotrienols vs placebo (21 vs 17)
Result: Hair count rose 34.5% with tocotrienols vs a 0.1% fall with placebo; hair weight unchanged; co-author affiliated with the maker.
Read the study ↗Drake L et al. Nutritional supplements for hair loss: a systematic review. JAMA Dermatol. 2023
Tested: oral supplements including apple nutraceutical and capsaicin-isoflavone
Result: Apple nutraceutical and capsaicin-isoflavone were among the supplements with higher-quality evidence; adverse effects were rare and mild.
Read the study ↗Almohanna HM et al. The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review. 2019
Result: Vitamin and mineral deficiency may be a modifiable factor in hair loss, but well-designed trials are lacking.
Read the study ↗