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The Science Behind Roots² Hair Shedding Support - And how it helps with hair shedding

Updated: 12 hours ago

Written by Dr Heng Jiacheng, MBBS, Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM)Associate Member, ISHRS · Member, AAHRS. Insights from a Singapore-based hair-loss physician



hair shedding on comb in telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a form of diffuse hair shedding that may occur after the normal hair-growth cycle is disrupted by a physiological or emotional stressor.

Common triggers include illness, high fever, childbirth, surgery, rapid weight loss, restrictive dieting, significant emotional stress, medication changes and nutritional deficiencies. Shedding commonly becomes noticeable two to three months after the triggering event. [1,2]


Roots² Hair Recovery Support is designed to provide targeted nutritional support during periods of increased hair shedding and recovery, hence aiding in telogen effluvium hair regrowth. It does not replace medical assessment, particularly in cases of persistent or recurrent shedding. When shedding continues beyond six months, identifying and addressing the underlying trigger remains of utmost importance.





Targeted Micronutrient Support


Biotin, as D-Biotin — 900 mcg

Biotin is a water-soluble B vitamin that functions as a cofactor for enzymes involved in normal macronutrient metabolism.

True biotin deficiency can cause dermatological changes, including hair thinning. However, deficiency is uncommon in otherwise healthy adults, and evidence supporting biotin supplementation for hair growth is strongest in people with confirmed deficiency or an underlying condition affecting biotin status. [3,4]

Roots² contains 900 mcg of biotin. This is lower than the 2,500–10,000 mcg commonly found in many high-dose hair supplements, but it remains substantially above the adult adequate intake of 30 mcg per day.


Important laboratory-testing note

Biotin supplements may interfere with certain laboratory tests and produce falsely high or falsely low results. Anyone taking a biotin-containing supplement should inform their doctor and laboratory personnel before undergoing blood tests. [5,6]


Zinc, as Zinc Picolinate — 15 mg

Zinc is involved in protein synthesis, DNA synthesis, cell division and normal tissue repair.

Some studies have found lower serum or hair zinc levels in people with chronic telogen effluvium. A recent systematic review also found an association between certain micronutrient abnormalities and telogen effluvium. However, the available evidence is mainly observational and does not prove that zinc supplementation improves shedding in people whose zinc levels are already adequate. [7–9]


Zinc supplementation is most clinically relevant when dietary intake or zinc status is inadequate. Zinc picolinate is the form selected for the Roots² formula.


Vitamin D3, as Cholecalciferol — 10 mcg (1000 IU)

Vitamin D receptors are expressed within hair follicles and are involved in normal follicular biology.

Some studies have reported lower vitamin D levels in people with telogen effluvium or other non-scarring forms of hair loss. Other studies have not found a significant difference between people with chronic telogen effluvium and healthy controls. [7,9,10]

This means that low vitamin D status may be relevant in some patients. Evidence for supplementation is strongest when vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency has been identified.


A laboratory study has also investigated active vitamin D signalling in hair-growth pathways. [11]


Folic Acid — 900 mcg

Folate contributes to normal DNA synthesis and cell division. These processes are relevant to rapidly dividing tissues, including cells within the hair matrix.

Folate deficiency has been reported in some people presenting with diffuse hair shedding. However, clinical evidence establishing folic acid supplementation as a treatment for telogen effluvium in people with normal folate status remains limited. [3,4]

Roots² contains 900 mcg of folic acid. Because the adult tolerable upper intake level for folic acid from supplements and fortified foods is 1,000 mcg per day, users should avoid taking additional folic acid-containing supplements unless advised by a healthcare professional and should consider their total folic acid intake from fortified foods.[12]





Nutritional Support for Stress Management


Ashwagandha Extract, Root and Leaf — 500 mg

Physical and emotional stress are recognised triggers of increased telogen hair shedding. However, stress is only one of many possible triggers, and persistent shedding should not automatically be attributed to stress. [1,2]

Ashwagandha, or Withania somnifera, is included to provide nutritional support during periods of stress.

A 2026 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated a standardised ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults with hair or skin concerns. Participants received 300 mg twice daily, totalling 600 mg per day, for 75 days. The study reported improvements in several measured hair parameters compared with placebo. [13]


Ashwagandha safety

Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used while breastfeeding. It may also be unsuitable for individuals with certain thyroid or autoimmune conditions and may interact with some medications. [14]





Structural Nutritional Support


Hydrolysed Marine Collagen, Types I and III — 250 mg


Hydrolysed marine collagen provides peptides and amino acids that contribute to the formula’s overall protein and structural nutritional profile.

A 2023 clinical study evaluated an oral supplement containing marine hydrolysed collagen together with amino acids, iron and selenium. Improvements in certain hair-related outcomes were reported. [15]





Marine Proteoglycan Research


Marine Proteoglycan Extract — 200 mg

Proteoglycans are complex molecules found within the extracellular environment of many tissues, including the hair follicle. Specific proteoglycans are involved in cellular signalling, tissue structure and transitions within the hair-growth cycle.

Oral marine-derived proteoglycans have been investigated in relation to hair shedding, hair appearance and hair-cycle regulation. [16] Marine proteoglycan extract is included based on preliminary and product-specific research investigating the role of marine-derived proteoglycans in the hair-follicle environment.





How the Roots² Hair Shedding Support helps with hair regrowth in hair shedding


Roots² Hair Shedding Support combines:

  • Selected micronutrients involved in normal cell division and protein metabolism;

  • Nutritional support for stress management;

  • Marine-derived protein peptides; and

  • Marine proteoglycan extract selected according to emerging hair-cycle research.


This is a targeted nutritional-support formula, not a replacement for diagnosing the cause of increased hair shedding.

The formula does not contain every nutrient that may be relevant to telogen effluvium. For example, iron deficiency, low protein intake, thyroid dysfunction and several medical conditions may contribute to diffuse shedding and require separate assessment and management. [1,2]


How Roots² Hair Shedding Support can help with hair regrowth in hair shedding


Roots² is designed to:

  • Provide selected vitamins and minerals associated with normal hair health;

  • Support adequate nutrient intake during periods of recovery;

  • Provide nutritional support for stress management;

  • Supply marine-derived protein peptides; and

  • Complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical evaluation.


What Roots² Hair Shedding Support Does Not Do

Roots² is not intended to:

  • Diagnose or treat telogen effluvium;

  • Correct every possible nutritional deficiency;

  • Replace blood investigations when clinically indicated;

  • Replace treatment for thyroid, iron, hormonal or other medical abnormalities

  • Guarantee that shedding will stop within a particular period.




References

  1. Yin GOC, Siong-See JL, Wang ECE. Telogen effluvium: A review of the science and current obstacles. Journal of Dermatological Science. 2021;101(3):156–163. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.01.007.

  2. Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D. Telogen Effluvium. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing. Updated May 1, 2024.

  3. Drake L, Reyes-Hadsall S, Martinez J, Heinrich C, Huang K, Mostaghimi A. Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements for treating hair loss: A systematic review. JAMA Dermatology. 2023;159(1):79–86. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2022.4867.

  4. Ravipati A, Tosti A. Vitamins and hair: Sham or science?. Clinics in Dermatology. 2026;44(2):270–275. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2026.02.011.

  5. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Biotin—Health Professional Fact Sheet

  6. US FDA: Biotin interference with laboratory tests

  7. Ahmed A, Alali A, Alahmadi M, et al. Association between serum trace elements and telogen effluvium: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Skin Appendage Disorders. Published online March 18, 2026. doi:10.1159/000550921.

  8. Zufishan S, Haque Z, Nazar S, Afaq E, Aamir E, Rafique S. Role of zinc in chronic telogen effluvium in serum and hair of patients with alopecia. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 2024;74(1 Suppl 2)–S50. doi:10.47391/JPMA-DUHS-S10.

  9. Durusu Turkoglu IN, Turkoglu AK, Soylu S, Gencer G, Duman R. A comprehensive investigation of biochemical status in patients with telogen effluvium: Analysis of Hb, ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, thyroid function tests, zinc, copper, biotin and selenium levels. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2024;23(12):4277–4284. doi:10.1111/jocd.16512.

  10. Rasheed H, Mahgoub D, Hegazy R, et al. Serum ferritin and vitamin D in female hair loss: Do they play a role?. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 2013;26(2):101–107. doi:10.1159/000346698.

  11. Zong X, Yang S, Tang Z, et al. 1,25-(OH)₂D₃ promotes hair growth by inhibiting NLRP3/IL-1β and HIF-1α/IL-1β signalling pathways. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 2024;132:109695. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109695.

  12. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Folate—Health Professional Fact Sheet

  13. Jillella A, Keerthi N, Venkateswar Reddy J. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study of efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract capsule on skin and hair health in healthy adults. Phytotherapy Research. Published online 2026. doi:10.1002/ptr.70199.

  14. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Ashwagandha—Usefulness and Safety

  15. Milani M, Colombo F; GFM-O-Trial Investigators Group. Efficacy and tolerability of an oral supplement containing amino acids, iron, selenium and marine hydrolysed collagen in subjects with hair loss: A prospective, randomized, three-month, controlled, assessor-blinded study. Skin Research and Technology. 2023;29(6). doi:10.1111/srt.13381.

  16. Wadstein J, Thom E, Gadzhigoroeva A. Integral roles of specific proteoglycans in hair growth and hair loss: Mechanisms behind the bioactivity of proteoglycan replacement therapy with Nourkrin® with Marilex® in pattern hair loss and telogen effluvium. Dermatology Research and Practice. 2020;2020:8125081. doi:10.1155/2020/8125081.

  17. Daunton A, Harries M, Sinclair R, Paus R, Tosti A, Messenger A. Chronic telogen effluvium: Is it a distinct condition? A systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2023;24(4):513–520. doi:10.1007/s40257-023-00760-0.

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