Do Kimchi and <i>Cheonggukjang</i> Probiotics as a Functional Food Improve Androgenetic Alopecia? A Clinical Pilot Study

Abstract

PURPOSE: Probiotic supplementation demonstrates beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles. We hypothesized that probiotics could benefit patients presenting with alopecia, secondary to improved blood flow to the scalp. MATERIALS AND METHODS: probiotic product. RESULTS: probiotic product could promote hair growth and reverse hair loss without associated adverse effects such as diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that the observed improvements in hair count and thickness resulted from initiation of the anagen phase in hair follicles in response to probiotics.