Skin, Hair & Nail NutriComplex

Ingredient

A unique complex of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. High in biotin, vitamin C and iron and a source of selenium and zinc, with l-lysine, l-cysteine and apple skin fruit extract.

Biotin

Biotin (vitamin B7) is important for the health and vitality of skin, hair and nails. It’s an essential water-soluble vitamin, which means that your body doesn’t store it, so you need to get it from the food you eat. Biotin plays a critical role in the formation of keratin – important for skin, hair and nails (Patel et al., 2017). Although deficiency is rare, studies on low biotin intake have shown a connection with hair loss (EFSA, 2009).

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential water-soluble vitamin important for beauty. It is found in many fruits and vegetables with some of the best sources being citrus fruits, tomatoes and bell peppers. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of skin, to the protection of cells from oxidative stress, and increases iron absorption (EFSA, 2009). Vitamin C is an important antioxidant, which helps protect the skin against oxidative stress and premature ageing (DiBaise & Tarleton, 2019).

Iron

Iron plays an important role in the skin, being involved in collagen synthesis and helping to protect the skin’s cells against oxidative stress. The importance of iron for skin, hair and nail health has been known for a long time. Skin, hair and nails develop very rapidly and may be particularly sensitive to even a slight decrease in iron availability. Low iron stores cause visual symptoms like skin pallor, predisposition for skin infections, fragile nails and brittle hair (Wright et al., 2014).

Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral, which contributes to the maintenance of normal hair

and nails. It has antioxidant properties, helping to protect cells from oxidative stress. Selenium has a key role in several antioxidant processes that are important to maintain skin health and protect against skin ageing (Michalak et al., 2021). Low intake of selenium has been shown to result in various problems, including impairment of nails and hair (EFSA, 2010).

Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral that plays an important role in the synthesis of keratin and collagen and is therefore important in the maintenance of normal skin, hair and nails (EFSA, 2010). It is involved in many important bodily processes including cell growth, especially in fast dividing cells like keratinocytes (Ogawa et al., 2018), and is known for its wound healing properties (EFSA, 2010). Low intake of zinc has been shown to result in various problems, including impairment of skin, hair and nails (EFSA, 2010).

L-cysteine & L-lysine

L-cysteine and L-lysine are the supplemental form of the amino acids cysteine and lysine. Cysteine is one of the main building blocks of keratin, making it vital for healthy skin, hair and nails. Cysteine also creates bonds between the keratin strands of the hair, giving it strength and resilience. Lysine plays major roles in protein synthesis, hormone and enzyme production and the absorption of calcium (Hosking et al., 2019). Hair loss and brittle nails may be symptoms of insufficient dietary intake of lysine or other amino acids (Hosking et al., 2019; Rushton 2002).

Note: Food supplements should not be used to substitute a balanced and varied diet.

DiBaise M, Tarleton SM. Hair, Nails, and Skin: Differentiating Cutaneous Manifestations of Micronutrient Deficiency. Nutr Clin Pract. 2019 Aug;34(4):490-503. doi: 10.1002/ncp.10321.

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to biotin and energy-yielding metabolism (ID 114, 117), macronutrient metabolism (ID 113, 114, 117)maintenance of skin and mucous membranes (ID 115), maintenance of hair (ID 118, 2876) and function of the nervous system (ID 116) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009;7(9):1209. [17 pp.]. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1209

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to vitamin C and protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 129, 138, 143, 148), antioxidant function of lutein (ID 146), maintenance of vision (ID 141, 142), collagen formation (ID 130, 131, 136, 137, 149), function of the nervous system (ID 133), function of the immune system (ID 134), function of the immune system during and after extreme physical exercise (ID 144), non-haem iron absorption (ID 132, 147), energy-yielding metabolism (ID 135), and relief in case of irritation in the upper respiratory tract (ID 1714, 1715) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 on request from the European Commission. EFSA Journal 2009; 7(9):1226. [28 pp.]. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1226.

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to selenium and maintenance of normal hair (ID 281), maintenance of normal nails (ID 281), protection against heavy metals (ID 383), maintenance of normal joints (ID 409), maintenance of normal thyroid function (ID 410, 1292), protection of DNA, proteins and lipids from oxidative damage (ID 1292), and maintenance of the normal function of the immune system (ID 1750) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1727. [18 pp.]. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1727.

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA); Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to zinc and maintenance of normal skin (ID 293), DNA synthesis and cell division (ID 293), contribution to normal protein synthesis (ID 293, 4293), maintenance of normal serum testosterone concentrations (ID 301), “normal growth” (ID 303), reduction of tiredness and fatigue (ID 304), contribution to carbohydrate metabolism (ID 382), maintenance of normal hair (ID 412), maintenance of normal nails (ID 412) and contribution to normal macronutrient metabolism (ID 2890) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010;8(10):1819. [25 pp.]. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1819.

Hosking AM, Juhasz M, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Alopecia: A Comprehensive Review. Skin Appendage Disord. 2019 Feb;5(2):72-89. doi: 10.1159/000492035.

Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jan 12;13(1):203. doi: 10.3390/nu13010203.

Ogawa Y, Kinoshita M, Shimada S, Kawamura T. Zinc and Skin Disorders. Nutrients. 2018 Feb 11;10(2):199. doi: 10.3390/nu10020199.

Patel DP, Swink SM, Castelo-Soccio L. A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss. Skin Appendage Disord. 2017 Aug;3(3):166-69. doi: 10.1159/000462981.

Rushton, DH. Nutritional factors and hair loss. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002;27(5):396-404. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01076.x.

Wright JA, Richards T, Srai SK. The role of iron in the skin and cutaneous wound healing. Front Pharmacol. 2014 Jul 10;5:156. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2014.00156.

Ingredients:

Bulking agent (Microcrystalline cellulose), L-Lysine hydrochloride, Maltodextrin, Apple fruit skin extract (Malus Pumila), L-Cysteine hydrochloride, Anti-caking agents (Stearic acid, Magnesium stearate, Silicon dioxide), Glazing agents (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Stearic acid, Microcrystalline cellulose), L-Ascorbic acid, Ferrous fumarate, Zinc oxide, D-biotin, Sodium selenite.