AppleMets Hair is a hair supplement that belongs to the category of nutraceuticals , that is, those nutritional principles present in nature, deriving from specific foods, capable of exerting positive effects on health. Marketed since September 2017, its main objective is to promote optimal hair growth, stimulating the anagen phase and promoting an increase in diameter thanks to greater production of keratin .
Update: Starting from the first months of 2018, the products of the AppleMets line (both in the Hair and HDL versions) have been rebranded and are now marketed under the name Annurcas , always by the same manufacturing company. However, all the information contained in this article regarding the properties of the Annurca apple in the trichological field remains valid and pertinent.
I don’t usually get carried away with the excitement of any new hair product, but the science behind AppleMets Hair is really interesting. In fact, it’s backed by a recent study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food , conducted by the Department of Pharmacy at the Federico II University of Naples . This five-year study involved both in vitro and human tests , examining 250 healthy people with moderate hair loss, in a randomized, double-blind trial with a control and a placebo group. The results, which we’ll discuss later in this article, were very encouraging.
Annurca Apple for Hair Health
The active ingredient behind Applemets Hair is a dry extract obtained from the PGI Annurca Campana apple , a variety particularly rich in oligomeric procyanidins , a specific type of natural polyphenols that belong to the larger class of bioflavonoids .
Specifically, procyanidin B2 was found to be the most effective and safe variant in promoting hair growth , both in vitro and in humans.
It also contains biotin , zinc and selenium , elements known for their positive impact on the health of the scalp and hair .
Composition
Here is the nutritional table for 1 600 mg capsule :
- Melannurca Campana PGI (Malus pumila Miller cultivar Annurca) dry procyanidin extract: 400 mg
- Zinc : 10 mg
- Selenium : 55 mcg
- Biotin : 0.05 mg
Ingredients : Annurca apple (Malus pumila Miller cultivar Annurca) fruit ES procyanidin microencapsulated in maltodextrin, food gelatin capsule, zinc acetate; anti-caking agents: magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide; biotin, selenium methionine.
Dosages and method of administration
The package reports a recommended dosage of 1 capsule per day , to be taken away from meals. However, in the study conducted by the University and in the small trial currently underway, which involves 17 users of the Ieson forum (see dedicated paragraph), the dosage used is 2 capsules per day .
Being a supplement, ministerial guidelines are followed.
If you are concerned that an excess of polyphenols could be harmful, it is important to underline that, with the trial dosage of 2 capsules per day , you remain below half of the maximum limit established by the ministry.
The same applies to taking it away from meals; since the capsule is gas-resistant , the active ingredient is still absorbed in the intestine. Therefore, the time of intake does not represent a major constraint.
To optimize absorption throughout the day, it is advisable to space out the intake of the 2 capsules by at least 6 hours .
But what if I eat the apples directly?
The doubt is legitimate, since, if the main active ingredient is the dry extract of procyanidins from the Annurca apple, the idea of taking the food directly could arise.
Certainly enjoying this particular variety of apple is an excellent choice, but it is important to consider two fundamental aspects:
- Quantity : One Applemets Hair tablet contains 400 mg of procyanidin extract, equivalent to that found in 3 apples of the Annurca variety, which is particularly rich in these compounds. Therefore, the subjects of the study, taking 2 capsules per day , would have had to eat the equivalent of 6 apples per day for 2 months … quite inconvenient, I would say.
- Assimilation of procyanidins : The assimilation of these substances occurs at intestinal level. The formulation of Applemets Hair requires that the dry extract of annurca apple is encapsulated in maltodextrins and contained in gastro-resistant capsules . This allows the active ingredient to reach the intestine, allowing optimal absorption and guaranteeing the desired effect. It is important to underline that the manufacturing company must strictly follow the protocol provided by the University, using exclusively annurca apples from the Consortium for the Protection of Melannurca Campana IGP . This ensures that the Applemets product on the market has a certified formulation, corresponding to the one used in the study.
It is therefore clear that reaching the required dosage of polyphenols by eating apples is rather unlikely… unless you really like them a lot!
Why the Campania Annurca PGI apple and not other varieties?
The reason for this is that this apple variety has a concentration of polyphenols approximately 4 times higher than other types, such as Golden Delicious , Granny Smith or Fuji .
This characteristic is linked to the way in which the Annurca apple ripens, which occurs on the ground and therefore requires a greater quantity of antioxidant substances to protect itself from parasites.
Furthermore, to obtain the PGI qualification , the apples are subjected to rigorous controls by the Consortium for the Protection of Melannurca Campana PGI , ensuring that the fruit respects certain quality characteristics.
How does Applemets Hair work?
Personally, I am particularly interested in the effects that this nutraceutical can have in counteracting androgenetic alopecia , and I believe that most of the readers of this site share the same concern.
To fully understand how Applemets Hair works , it is essential to know the two “key” steps identified in a 2004 Japanese study, which cause the progressive miniaturization of hair. This process begins with the induction of the mechanism of premature entry into the catagen phase, resulting in the shortening of hair cycles.
Initially, DHT stimulates the synthesis of transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-beta2) in the cells of the dermal papilla. TGF-beta2 inhibits the proliferation of epithelial cells and stimulates the synthesis of enzymes known as caspases , which are responsible for reactions that activate and lead to programmed cell death. As a result, epithelial cells are eliminated.
The active ingredient in Applemets , procyanidin B2 and similar oligomers, would work by counteracting the action of the factors TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta2, which lead to the death of epithelial cells (apoptosis) in hair follicles. This effect results in a prolongation of the anagen phase compared to the catagen phase.
This action of procyanidins has been demonstrated in a Japanese study conducted by Dr. Kamimura, published in 2006 in the scientific journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology . Furthermore, in vitro tests conducted by the Federico II University of Naples in the study already mentioned at the beginning of this article, highlight the ability of Applemets to stimulate the synthesis of keratin in its various isoforms in keratinocytes.
As can be seen from the studies, the Japanese ones focus on the use of topical products, acting as a reference for the study of the Federico II University , which involves the oral intake of a product, therefore in a systemic way.
Surprising results (on paper)
The study data are extremely promising, with percentages of increase of about 100% in hair count per cm² of scalp and a 30% increase in hair weight, thanks to the increased keratin content. All this occurs in just 60 days , so much so that it is feared that extra hair will grow in other areas of the body. However, in vitro data demonstrate that keratinocyte cell lines treated with Applemets extract express keratin isoforms typical exclusively of hair and nails. Interestingly, none of the subjects recruited in the trial showed signs of hirsutism .
If the results were really so extraordinary, we would be calling them a miracle, since these are numbers that make even those obtainable from traditional treatments with pharmacological therapies pale in comparison.
Test on Ieson Forum
It is essential to always keep your feet firmly on the ground and not get carried away by easy enthusiasm. Personally, I chose to participate in the test organized by the important national forum ieson.com , because behind this project there is a renowned university faculty and the researchers prove to be extremely helpful.
In addition, a doctor from the department is always available in the forum to answer users’ doubts and questions. Every month, all test participants must update their experience with photos and share their impressions in the linked discussion.
Applemets Hair: where to buy?
Currently, Andro Genetic can be purchased directly from pharmacies in Lazio and Campania, many of which also offer the option of ordering online. Distribution throughout the country is planned.
It is important to note that, as of April 2018, the evolution of this nutraceutical, now called Annurmets Hair , has been available on the market .
Is there a cheaper alternative?
Andro Genetic was the first supplement of its kind and, at the time of its launch, there were not many alternatives available. Today, however, the market has expanded and high-quality products have been introduced at more affordable prices. Among these, I recommend considering Vitaminity Apple Extract or, even better, its new enhanced version Apple Extract Complex Plus .
Annurca apple and cholesterol
I’ll make a small digression that departs from the topic of hair, since the name of this product may not be entirely new to some. Andro Genetic HDL has been on the market for some time , a specific version for cholesterol that contains only the extract of procyanidins combined with American sweet potato, without elements useful for hair such as zinc, biotin and selenium. Among the various nutraceutical properties of the Annurca apple, its ability to influence cholesterol levels is known, reducing the total value and simultaneously increasing the good one, i.e. HDL .
What can I expect from Applemets Hair ?
I certainly do not consider this hair supplement as the definitive solution to solve baldness, and I certainly will not stop the drug therapies I am following.
However, Applemets Hair is based on serious studies and works by attacking baldness from a different angle than finasteride and minoxidil. This multifactorial approach can only be beneficial, considering the complexity of this pathology.
What I am hoping for is an improvement in the overall quality of my hair and, why not, see if there will be any progress at the temples, where I still have miniaturized and vellus hair.