The effectiveness of taking fenugreek seed concentrate and micronutrients on hair loss and hair growth was examined within the framework of an extensive nutritional science study. Fenugreek seed has already been valued since centuries for its trichophytic characteristics (when applied externally). Nowadays fenugreek seed is particularly effective when utilised as a nutritional supplement.

The product "Arcon-Tisane plus - Fenugreek + Micronutrient Hair Capsules" that was tested in the study contains a concentrate of fenugreek seed, which has been enriched with micronutrients.

This includes the vitamins from the B group such as B1, B2, B6, nicotinamide, calcium D-Pantothenate, biotin and folic acid, vitamins C and E as well as the trace elements zinc, copper, selenium and iodine.

The study was carried out by the internationally recognised Hamburg-based institute "proDERM" in conformity with the guidelines of good clinical practices under the guidance of "BioTeSys" - an institute for biological chemistry and nutritional science at the University of Hohenheim, with headquarters in Esslingen. The study was initiated by Arcon International in Singen.

The result of the study confirms that taking a nutritional supplement with fenugreek plus micronutrients clearly has a positive effect on hair loss. Hair growth and hair thickness were significantly improved amongst the treated test persons.

Altogether, 60 volunteer test persons ages 30 to 67 took part in the study. The study group consisted of 30 women and 30 men with slight to moderately strong hair loss. The women were substantially younger than the men (48.5 +/- 11 years and 54.4 +/- 11 years, respectively). The study persons thus constituted a representative group for the study.

The study was carried out under strict and recognised conditions - randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled. In order to precisely ascertain the effectiveness of the examined product, one-third of the participants took a placebo throughout the entire length of treatment. As a result, it was determined which effects are actually attributable to the enriched fenugreek seed concentrate and which are based solely on psychological effects.

Placebo and product were neither distinguishable for the participating test persons nor for the attending dermatologists ("double-blind"): The placebo was provided with a fenugreek seed aroma. Which test persons took the placebo and which the nutritional supplement was decided in advance per random principle ("randomised").

The study lasted six months. During this period, the test persons as well as control group participants took two capsules of the preparation or the placebo every day. The status of their respective hair loss/growth was controlled every two months with the help of an image analysis (phototrichogram). Extensive questioning of the test persons also took place at the end of the study. The objective was to obtain the personal assessment of the participants in relation to changes in their hair and the health of their nails, their general satisfaction as well as the compatibility of the active substance combination.

In comparison with the placebo, the effect of the enriched fenugreek seed concentrate was significantly greater in many respects:

• The evaluations of the image analysis indicated that taking the product led to a significantly greater hair thickness.
  
  
• After taking the product, 82.9% of the test persons also reported that their hair volume and hair thickness improved.
  
  
• 74.3 percent of them said that their hair's resistance increased.
  
  
• The concentrate also fared significantly better than the placebo in terms of the manageability of hair amongst women as well as the hair thickness, hair growth at the parting and the hair thickness of the receding hairs on the temple amongst men.
  
  
• Furthermore, taking the nutritional supplement has a positive influence on nails and skin. In comparison with the placebo, the nail robustness especially improved.
  
  
• About three-fourths of the test persons would recommend it further and continue to take it.

Up to now the study has been published in the following professional journals:

	"Symposium Medical", Edition 8/2006 ISSN 0943-9250 (German)
	"Kosmetische Medizin", 27th Volume, Issue 4, 2006 ISSN 1430-4031 (English)