Is Colostrum the Secret to Hair Growth? What Research Says
Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
|Hair loss is something that many of us face at some point in time. Some may face hair thinning or shedding while others deal with severe cases like baldness. Can you relate?
Although hair fall is a natural part that comes with aging, many suffer in the early stages of life, and it feels like a frustrating battle.
There are conventional treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride that may help. But lately, there’s a growing interest in natural alternatives to control hairfall and promote hair growth.
One such alternative that’s all over TikTok, Instagram, and other social media platforms is colostrum. It is the first milk mammals produce after birth, known for its immune-boosting properties.
But does colostrum help with hair growth, and what does science say about colostrum and hair loss?
Let’s find out together. We’ll also look at how to use colostrum for hair and which one is the best colostrum for hair growth?
Before We Talk Hair Growth, Let’s Talk Hair Loss
It is essential that we understand what hair loss is and what the root causes of hair loss are. Shedding hair is a natural process. As a part of the hair growth cycle, we lose hair every day.
“It’s normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs a day. When the body sheds significantly more hairs every day, a person has excessive hair shedding.”
If you’re losing more than that, it is where you need to be alarmed. Excessive hair loss can result from various factors like:
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Hormonal Changes: Conditions like pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia) are often triggered by hormonal imbalances.
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Stress: Emotional or physical stress can affect the natural hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss.
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Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and proteins can significantly affect hair health.
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Scalp Health: Inflammation or poor circulation in the scalp hinders hair follicle function.
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Genetics: In many cases, hair loss is hereditary and linked to genes passed down through families.
Also Read: Colostrum Benefits for Adults
How Does Colostrum Help with Hair Growth?
Typically, hair loss is a gradual process that may worsen over time. Addressing it sooner may help in a better way. People are more likely to shift towards natural remedies. Among the natural solutions, bovine colostrum supplements have emerged as a potential ally to stop hair fall and support hair growth.
Colostrum is rich in essential nutrients, growth factors, and immune-supporting properties. It offers a natural and easy way to nourish your hair and work their way from inside to provide you with healthier and stronger hair. Here’s how colostrum and hair growth are linked:
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Activation of Growth Factors:
Colostrum, particularly the bovine colostrum, is packed with growth factors such as insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta). These growth factors stimulate the hair follicles and proliferation potentially nourishing the scalp and promoting hair regrowth.
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Inflammation Reduction:
One major reason for hair loss is chronic inflammation such as irritation and itching.
Colostrum’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties work wonders in reducing scalp irritation creating a healthier environment for better hair growth.
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Colostrum Boosts Follicle Health:
The stem cells, peptides, and prebiotics in colostrum may help rejuvenate weakened hair follicles, promoting thicker, healthier strands. These cells can also support the scalp’s collagen production, which is essential for hair strength.
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Improved Gut Health:
“All diseases begin in the gut”- declared Hippocrates-the father of modern medicine.
This is why healthy skin and hair are often associated with a healthy gut. Colostrum is touted for its gut health benefits. Immunoglobulins present in colostrum help heal the gut, thereby providing a healthy hormonal balance. This leads to better scalp health, lesser hair fall and beautiful hair and not to forget the radiant skin.
Also Read: Health Benefits of Colostrum for IBS Relief
What Research Has to Say About Colostrum and Hair Loss?
Though the research is still in the early stages, a few studies are available that suggest colostrum could play a key role in stimulating hair growth and preventing hair loss.
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Aim of the Study:
To explore the potential of exosomes derived from bovine colostrum (Milk-exo) as a non-surgical treatment for hair loss.
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What They Used:
Exosomes extracted from bovine colostrum.
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Focus Area:
Tested the impact of these exosomes on human hair dermal papilla (DP) cells, which play a crucial role in hair growth and regulation.
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Key Findings:
a. The exosomes activated dermal papilla cells.
b. Promoted the transition of hair follicles from the telogen (resting) phase to the anagen (active growth) phase.
c. Indicated a strong potential to stimulate natural hair regrowth.
Study 2: Comparing Exosomes for Hair Growth
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Aim of the Study:
To compare the effectiveness of exosomes from human umbilical cord stem cells vs. bovine colostrum for promoting hair growth.
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What They Did:
Tested both types of exosomes on human hair follicle cultures.
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Key Findings:
a. Bovine colostrum-derived exosomes significantly enhanced hair follicle growth and dermal papilla regeneration.
b. Exosomes from human stem cells showed little to no difference compared to untreated samples.
Even though this research is promising, it’s important to note that colostrum might work best as part of a holistic hair care regimen. Ensure to include good nutrition, take good care of your scalp, and stay active.
Ways to Consume Colostrum for Hair Growth
If you’ve tried conventional methods like minoxidil or other common hair growth treatments and found them not helpful, colostrum could be a better alternative worth exploring. Here are some effective ways to include colostrum in your routine for hair fall control and hair regrowth:
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Colostrum Supplements: Available in powder or capsule forms, these supplements are a convenient way to get a consistent daily dose of colostrum.
Powder form is easily absorbed by the body. You can mix it into water, yogurt, or smoothies.
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Colostrum Infused Beverages: Simply stir colostrum powder into warm milk (avoid hot) or plain water for easy digestion.
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Colostrum Recipes: Blend colostrum powder with fruits, and nuts for a nourishing hair-boosting shake. You can simply sprinkle colostrum powder over your breakfast, oatmeal, cereal, or yogurt as well.
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Topical Application: Mix colostrum powder with aloe vera, coconut oil or yogurt and apply it to the scalp.
Also Read: Best Practices to Consume Colostrum
The Best Colostrum for Hair Growth: What to Look For
When considering adding colostrum for hair loss to routine, it is to be noticed that not all colostrum supplements are created equal. You must keep a few things in mind while selecting the best colostrum for hair growth.
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Source: You should look for bovine colostrum from healthy cows raised ethically. Colostrum from grass-fed, hormone free cows is often considered the highest quality.
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Timely Extracted: The best and most concentrated colostrum is the one that’s extracted within 6 hours of birth.
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Purity: Go for products that are free from fillers, additives, and artificial preservatives. The more natural the product is, the better are the results.
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Dosage: Aim for 100-200 mg per serving, which is the typical range to get the benefits of colostrum.
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Cruelty Free: Ensure to choose a brand that makes sure that calves have already had their fair share before extracting colostrum. Also the cows must not be harmed during the process.
Verdict: Is Colostrum the Secret to Hair Growth?
While there’s no magic potion or spell that helps you get your hair back instantly, colostrum for hair loss is worth considering. Its unique concentration of essential nutrients, growth factors, and antioxidants and anti-inflammatory features could potentially support healthier hair and scalp.
If you’re seeking a more natural and promising approach to hair care, colostrum can be a valuable consideration. However, as we always suggest, the best approach is to include a healthy diet, reduce stress, maintain an active lifestyle, and stay happy.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Does colostrum help your hair grow?
Colostrum shows potential for supporting hair growth and reducing hair loss, mainly due to its rich content of growth factors, nutrients, and anti-inflammatory compounds.
Q2. Does Colostrum Work for Everyone?
While colostrum for hair growth shows potential, it’s important to manage expectations. For individuals experiencing hair loss due to severe damage or inactive follicles, colostrum might help revitalize existing follicles. However, it cannot bring dead follicles back to life.
Q3. Does colostrum block DHT?
No, colostrum does not directly block DHT. However, it may support hair health in ways that counteract DHT’s negative effects.
Q4. Who should avoid taking colostrum?
Though the lactose content in bovine colostrum is very minimal, those who are lactose intolerant must consult a doctor before using colostrum.
References:
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Yu, Hong, et al. "Bovine Colostrum as a Potential Therapy for Alopecia: A Multi-Omic Investigation Reveals Activation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Modulation of Microbiota." bioRxiv, 17 Nov. 2024, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.17.623990v1.full
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Bhattarai, Yogendra, and Prem S. Shetty. "Colostrum and Its Bioactive Components: Influence on the Gut Microbiota and Human Health." Nutrients, vol. 14, no. 6, 2022, p. 1205. National Center for Biotechnology Information, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8960251
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Kim, Hyosuk, et al. "Potential of colostrum-derived exosomes for promoting hair regeneration through the transition from telogen to anagen phase." Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology 10 (2022): 815205. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35359449/
