Viviscal is a dietary supplement manufactured by Lifes2good Natural Healthcare. Viviscal is marketed as being able to nourish and promote existing hair growth in users that suffer from thinning hair. It is recommended that users take Viviscal two times daily after a meal for a minimum of six months or until results are seen. One to two Viviscal pills can be taken as maintenance thereafter. Viviscal scalp lotion, shampoo and conditioner are available to increase the results of the Viviscal supplement. It is important to note that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not endorse any dietary supplement, including Viviscal, for the treatment of any disease or disorder.
AminoMar C Marine Complex
Viviscal's main active ingredient is AminoMar C Marine Complex, a proprietary blend of ingredients and proteins said to promote existing hair growth. According to a press release from Lifes2good Natural Healthcare, Viviscal contains 22 percent active proteins, most likely found in this AminoMar C Marine Complex. While no clinical studies have been published investigating AminoMar C Marine Complex itself on thinning hair, a 1992 study by Lassus and Eskelinen at ARS-Medicina in Helsinki, Finland found Viviscal cured baldness in 95 percent of young men with hereditary balding. The FDA does not endorse any dietary supplement, including AminoMar C Marine Complex, for the treatment of any disease or disorder.
Acerola Cherry
Viviscal contains acerola cherry, also known as Malphigia glabra, one of the highest natural sources of vitamin C. Acerola cherry grows naturally in southern California and southern Texas but is now being planted in other areas including Brazil and the Caribbean. Acerola cherry has antioxidant properties that may increase the healthiness of the hair follicle, promoting hair growth. No clinical studies support the role of acerola cherry in treating balding or increasing hair growth. The FDA does not endorse any dietary supplement, including acerola cherry, for the treatment of any disease or disorder.
Horsetail
Viviscal contains Horsetail extract, also known as Equisetum Arvense, a form of silica. Horsetail may strengthen and revitalize hair and is commonly used to treat balding although no clinical studies back up these claims. According to the National Institute of Health, horsetail may not be safe to take long term for two reasons. First, horsetail contains chromium, which can cause chromium poisoning if the user is also taking other multivitamins or supplements with chromium in them. The FDA does not endorse any dietary supplement, including horsetail, for the treatment of any disease or disorder.
Inactive Ingredients
Viviscal contains several inactive ingredients, including fillers microcrystalline cellulose and hypromellose, as well as natural orange flavor. Viviscal also contains magnesium stearate, an oil that speeds up pill manufacturing by making the Viviscal mix flow more smoothly. Glycerol keeps Viviscal pills soft and easy to disintegrate once swallowed.
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References
Writer Bio
Dr. Michele Noonan is author of "Train Your Brain To Get Thin," has published in journals including the "Journal of Neuroscience" and appears as a science expert on TV and radio shows. Noonan is a former Caltech scientist with a Ph.D. in neuroscience from University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and a psychology B.A. from Boston College.
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