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Linoleic acid is an essential nutrient that the body cannot synthesize and thus must be absorbed through the consumption of food. The typical intake of linoleic acid in the United States diet accounts for ~6% of energy. The major dietary sources of linoleic acid are vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, meats, and eggs. Linoleic acid is thought to improve hair growth and maintain a healthy scalp.
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Key insights:
- The in vitro evidence suggests that treatment with linoleic acid may activate specific signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin) involved in hair follicle growth and cycling in human dermal papilla cells (specialized cells involved in hair cycling). Furthermore, treatment with linoleic acid increased the expression of a number of growth factors and decreased the expression of Dickkopf-related protein (DKK-1), a testosterone-induced signaling molecule that may be involved in the emergence of several types of alopecia.
- The in vivo (in mice) evidence also suggests that linoleic acid may support hair growth (however this growth wasn’t measured objectively) via the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
- There doesn’t appear to be any clinical evidence to support the use of linoleic acid to treat hair loss outcomes.
- Our experience tracking members: linoleic acid by itself is not enough to improve hair loss outcomes.
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