Dr. Gorana Epstein and Dr. Ryan Welter preview their truly eye-opening Panel Discussion on Nutrition & Hair Loss at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin.
In this intro discussion with Program Chair Dr. Sam Lam, they dive into:
- Foundational labs & hormonal panels (men vs. women; life-stage nuance)
- Vitamin D optimization (why deficiency is common; pairing with K2 and magnesium)
- Gut health as a driver (GI-MAP, microbiome balance, leaky gut, H. pylori & iron stores)
- Personalized probiotics / broad-spectrum strategies + prebiotics
- Pre-surgical optimization to improve donor quality & outcomes—sometimes avoiding a second surgery
- Real-world pearls: case insights, timelines for retesting & practical protocols
Summary Notes for Panel Introduction
Intro discussion on the upcoming Panel on Nutrition & Hair Loss at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin
Introduction:
Dr. Sam Lam led a preview discussion for the upcoming panel on Nutrition & Hair Loss at the ISHRS World Congress in Berlin. Joined by Drs. Gorana Epstein and Ryan Welter, the discussion emphasized the often-overlooked role of diet, nutrient deficiencies, and gut health in hair loss management. The panelists underscored the importance of moving beyond traditional pharmaceutical interventions and highlighted the value of individualized, data-driven approaches. Personal anecdotes reinforced the transformative potential of nutritional optimization, setting the stage for a highly practical and evidence-based session at the congress.
Key Discussion Points:
[00:15] Introduction to the Panel
Dr. Epstein outlined the panel’s purpose: shifting focus from drugs and topicals to nutrition, sensitivities, and deficiency correction. Dr. Epstein stressed the goal of teaching patients to “grow hair from within.”
[00:52] Panel Structure & Topics
Dr. Epstein previewed the core themes: vitamin D & iron deficiency (beyond supplementation), PCOS, insulin resistance, thyroid disease, and food sensitivities.
The session will blend didactic lectures with interactive discussion, ensuring practical clinical takeaways.
[01:49] Experience
Dr. Lam shared his own story of weight loss reversing hair thinning.
[02:20] Diagnostic Workup Approaches
Dr. Welter shared he likes to obtain sex- and life-stage-specific labs: hormonal panels, vitamin D, iron, B-complex, plus dietary surveys from his patients. In addition to Dr. Welters test, Dr. Epstein mentioned she always does GI map testing for gut microbiome health and stressed tailored approaches for women (puberty, pregnancy, menopause).
[06:40] Gut Health & the Microbiome
Epstein went further into how gut testing is foundational, citing a specific case where treating H. pylori restored iron and regrew hair.
[07:30] Personalized Probiotic & Nutritional Interventions
Epstein shared her method of tailoring probiotics/prebiotics via GI map results; emphasized spectrum coverage when personalization isn’t possible. Moreover, there was a discussion of adapting supplementation as the microbiome changes.
Conclusion:
The dsicussion underscored how the Nutrition & Hair Loss panel will expand the paradigm of hair restoration by integrating nutrition, hormonal balance, and gut health into clinical practice. Attendees can expect a blend of scientific updates, case studies, and practical guidance, with opportunities for both group learning and one-on-one discussions.
Don’t miss the Nutrition & Hair Loss Panel at the ISHRS 33rd World Congress in Berlin, October 23–25, 2025.