Elizabeth Stein (Host) 0:00
Hi everyone. I'm Elizabeth Stein, founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth. And this is Live Purely with Elizabeth, featuring candid conversations about how to thrive on your wellness journey. Welcome back to the Live Purely podcast. Today, I am thrilled to dive into the fascinating world of hair health and integrative medicine with Dr. Brianna Diorio. With an impressive background in clinical nutrition and integrative medicine, Brianna holds a PhD in integrative medicine, an MS in human nutrition, and is a certified Functional Diagnostic Nutrition practitioner, herbalist, and personal trainer. Currently, as the Director of Product Education at Nutrafol, she combines her expertise in science and research to drive innovative solutions in hair and skin health. In our conversation today, we explore the deeper connections between gut health and hair health, the complex root causes behind hair thinning, and why understanding nutrition's role is essential for maintaining overall wellness and vibrant hair. Brianna also shares fascinating insights into the science behind supplements, highlighting the importance of clinical research and the standards Nutrafol upholds in their product development. Together, we tackle myths surrounding hair loss, practical tips, and trends in wellness, from the value of rest and stress management to gut health support. This episode is packed with valuable insights for anybody looking to boost their hair health and overall well-being. Enjoy.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 1:46
Brianna, welcome to the podcast. It is a pleasure to have you on today. I'm so excited to pick your brain about all things hair, wellness, health, and integrative nutrition, and all those good things.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 2:01
Yes, thank you, Elizabeth. I'm super excited to be on today. I think it’s a really trending topic recently, you know? I think a lot more people are talking about hair health, so I'm excited to nerd out with you.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 2:11
Yeah, it is so funny. It really has come such a long way, and I feel like it’s so much in the conversation today where even, like, two years ago, we weren't talking about hair health yet Nutrafol has been around for quite some time.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 2:25
Yeah, I feel like it was kind of taboo for a while, and people, you know, I think were either embarrassed about it, or there wasn't a lot of information, or there was a lot of misinformation. So, to see the evolution of not only the quality of science but the conversations around it—and for it to be destigmatized—has been really nice for anybody experiencing that, but also just for the scientific community.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 2:47
Absolutely. So, let’s start with your background and what first interested you in getting into integrative medicine and ultimately your journey to Nutrafol.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 3:00
I have a really interesting background, and I love that question because I also always ask that question about people. I originally went to school thinking I wanted to be a Spanish teacher, and at the time, I was a personal trainer. I had a boss who was really into health and fitness and all these OG health practitioners like Mercola and Paul Chek. I just loved that, so I wanted to go and get my master’s degree. So, I actually switched gears, went to the University of Bridgeport, and got my Master’s in Clinical Nutrition. Then, it kind of snowballed—I got a couple of certifications, became an FDN (Functional Diagnostic Nutrition) practitioner, which is cool because it allows you to get in there, do functional labs, look at people's gut health, stool results, DUTCH tests, and all that.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 3:47
Do you do blood work on yourself all the time?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 3:50
Not all the time. I always tell people that blood work is one piece of the health puzzle, because I've seen people whose blood work is a mess, and they feel fine, and vice versa. So, it’s one piece. I look for trends when I go over labs. I think that's really important. But I do try to do it once a year, especially on some of the basics. But I do love getting into labs, and we can definitely talk about that, things to look for. After grad school, I got my holistic lifestyle certification, and I’ve done a couple of different careers. I've always been in the nutraceutical industry from a very young age. I started out at Vitamin Shoppe headquarters, which was cool because I got to learn a lot about regulatory claims and substantiation. Then, I shifted into private label manufacturing, working with raw material suppliers, seeing what goes into formulations. I always had my own private practice, which I think for any practitioner or anybody in the wellness space, it’s one thing to read PubMed articles all day. It’s another thing to work with people and say, "How is this theory actually being applied?" So, I think those two things have been really helpful for learning. Most recently, I completed my doctorate. I have a PhD in integrative medicine, completed that about three years ago, and became a family herbalist. So, there was a lot of really cool learning and research. At Nutrafol, what really attracted me was their dedication to science. From inception, they've always been at the forefront of looking deeper, thinking outside what’s conventionally offered, and I think they were pioneers in this approach to hair thinning and these interconnected systems—what we now call "hair biology" and how the body’s interconnected systems impact hair thinning. It’s just been really cool to see the evolution of not only Nutrafol but how much they've dedicated to research and education. My current role is Director of Product Education, so I get to be a liaison between departments, overseeing the science and research of all our new products and existing products, plus what's in the pipeline. We recently launched a skin product last year, so it’s been amazing to be a part of that.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 6:14
What a fun job that you have, and it sounds like a culmination of all your past education and work. So, as someone who clearly loves to learn, how do you continue to learn today? Since you’re not going back to school, what keeps that excitement going?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 6:41
Yeah, it’s funny. I originally thought I wanted to be a Spanish teacher, and my mom was actually a history teacher. So, there’s always been this teacher in my blood, and I’ve always ended up in research and education roles. I think if you have a sense of curiosity, you can be a lifelong learner. As you get older, there is no certification or degree date—it has to be something you’re passionate about, or you have a general ability to question things deeper. I’ve always been curious and like to ask questions. And I think that’s part of integrative medicine: we’re trained to look at things differently, ask why, and dig deeper. For me, I genuinely enjoy it. Research, nutrition, and health have become cool. A few years ago, you were kind of a nerd reading PubMed articles, but now, with so many amazing podcasts, people like Huberman make science fun. I think it’s allowed people to be empowered, wanting to live well while they’re here, not just live long. I’m subscribed to industry things, I write for the industry, and I have my own podcast. I just want to be in it and keep up with all the evolutions in science.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 8:38
It's amazing to think back—I went to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition back in 2007, and there was no education outside that bubble for most people. I think really since COVID, there's been a shift. Podcasts play a huge part, and it’s almost selfish, like, I love having people on so I can learn. It’s such a great platform for people to make information accessible and get the word out through social media.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 9:21
Yeah, people learn so differently, and podcasting is great because attention spans are shorter than ever. Even if you don’t want to sit through a whole 30, 40, 50-minute podcast episode—or longer—you can get reels now, Instagram clips. But just because you see it on the internet doesn’t mean it’s true. I think it’s important to be research-literate, but it’s a great jumping-off point. If there’s a complex topic, you don’t need a PhD or master’s degree to say, "I want to learn more." Especially with health, you’re nothing without your health. COVID probably woke that up for a lot of people, saying, "I can have all these things, but it can all be taken away." So, one thing I can control is what I put in my body and how I treat my body. There’s that input-output you can see more directly—not always immediately, since there’s delayed gratification, but health empowers people. And they can see results if they stick with it.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 10:28
Yeah, absolutely. So, let’s get into understanding hair health. You mentioned getting to the root, which is certainly the lens you’re looking at at Nutrafol. For someone struggling, let’s get to basics. They might not know whether their hair is thinning or what the symptoms mean. What are some key factors or root causes behind hair health issues?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 11:01
Such a great question to start with. People always want to jump right to, "This is the problem I have," but it’s called body language for a reason. Let’s listen to our body and what’s been happening for a while. With hair thinning, it’s rare you just wake up one day with it. It’s usually a cumulative, slow drip, death-by-a-thousand-paper-cuts process. That requires us to be aware of what’s been going on in our body, mind, and health before saying, "Okay, I need Nutrafol or to work with a practitioner." Hair health—and skin health, too—reflects overall health. It's a visual representation of what’s going on in all your other physiological, interconnected systems. So, from Nutrafol’s lens, we target root causes of hair thinning in six main buckets: hormones, stress, nutrition, lifestyle, metabolism, and aging. Now, if you’re a novice or new to health, that can feel overwhelming. You’re like, "I don’t even know if I’m stressed," or, "What part of nutrition matters?" With a nutraceutical, you don’t have to know exactly what's causing it, but you can have something that covers those bases. With Nutrafol, we have different formulas to meet you where you are in your health journey. With anything in health, what worked a year ago may not work today, and who you were 10 years ago isn’t who you are now. So, for example, our Women’s Balance formula is great for someone going through menopause or perimenopause, addressing those six root causes but focusing on hormonal and stress needs. The first step is figuring out what life stage and lifestyle you’re in. That will help you tailor the formula that’s right for you with Nutrafol specifically. But on a more basic level, be honest with yourself. Do a health audit: what’s been going on with me the past 3-6 months? In those six buckets we talked about, which are needing the most attention? When you can have an honest conversation, you start to develop tools in your health toolbox.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 14:19
Thinking about those six buckets, let’s start with nutrition. For someone who may or may not know or be in touch with their health, as we think about the worst offenders for our hair health, are there specific ones that stand out?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 14:49
What’s interesting about hair health is that there’s not a lot of research pinpointing specific foods as "bad" for hair health. There are building blocks that support hair health and foods that can negatively impact the gut microbiome, which directly influences the hair growth cycle and nutrient absorption. There’s more research on nutrients specifically for skin health, so I like to separate that. For nutrition, it’s not always about removing everything—like gluten, soy, dairy, corn, sugar. Health feels overwhelming if you’re removing everything. But it’s not that the food itself is always problematic; it’s your body’s response. If you have a food intolerance or allergy, that can impact nutrient absorption, tight junctions, and gut permeability, triggering an inflammatory response. Instead of only removing, I like to ask, "What can I add in?" I call it "health math." A small win in hair health, nutritionally, is protein. Hair is primarily made up of keratin, which is a protein, so getting those building blocks for healthy hair is crucial. Consider how much protein you’re getting, the quality—is it organic, grass-fed? These things matter if you’re eating a lot of it. There are vitamins, minerals, and certain nutrients that play a role in hair follicle oxygenation and density, like iron, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and C (for sebum and collagen production), zinc (for follicle support), selenium (important for thyroid health and free radicals), and antioxidants like quercetin or curcumin. Supporting the gut microbiome with plant compounds, prebiotics, and postbiotics also helps.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 17:59
So back to protein—do you see a difference between animal protein versus plant protein? Does that affect our hair health?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 18:13
Great question. I think if you asked people on either side, they’d have strong opinions. I like to be "nutrition agnostic," meaning do what’s best for you. The difference is nominal, but there are arguments that only vegan diets have nutrient deficiencies in key vitamins for hair health, like iron, B12, and sometimes zinc. Depending on the "Franken foods" you’re eating, like heavily processed vegan foods, there’s potential for gut permeability issues, which can indirectly affect hair health. But really, the important thing is quality protein. Whether you’re vegan or carnivore, make sure you’re getting quality sources. Key amino acids like cysteine (important for disulfide bonds in hair structure), methionine (for keratin), arginine (for blood flow), and lysine and proline (for collagen) are essential building blocks for hair synthesis.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 20:19
And in terms of protein quantity, are you in the camp of one gram of protein per pound of body weight?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 20:27
I think one gram is a nice blanket statement, but most people don’t need that much. Research often suggests 0.7-1 gram per kilogram of lean body mass. But for simplicity, that’s a good target. Many women, especially, tend to be low on protein, so aiming higher is helpful, and they can adjust if necessary.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 21:21
You mentioned the connection between gut health and hair. I'd love to go deeper into that. I know for myself, last year through blood and stool work, I found out I had SIBO. Through protocols, I fixed my gut, and one big thing I noticed was the difference in my hair growth. Can you share more on the science behind that?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 21:59
Absolutely. You can’t have a conversation about anything health-related these days without gut health, which is finally getting the attention it deserves. The gut acts like a modulatory organ, influencing nearly everything in your body. You can find a gut axis to almost any system—gut-skin, gut-brain, even gut-hair. It’s a good jumping-off point, though it can be overwhelming. The gut health field is still young; we’re learning about different bacteria strains, how birth, antibiotic use, and stress affect it. I tell people not to stress about stress too much. But gut health can impact other systems, so it’s a good starting place. The gut plays a big role in nutrient absorption, breaking down and absorbing vitamins like biotin, zinc, iron, B12, E—all crucial for hair and immune health. If the gut is dysbiotic (too many bad bugs), the immune response can be triggered, leading to inflammation. Inflammation isn’t all bad; we need some of it. But too much can interfere with nutrient absorption and overall processes, which can indirectly affect hair health. The gut microbiome also impacts stress responses and hormone regulation, including androgens like testosterone and DHT, which affect hair health. It’s a touchpoint for everything.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 26:58
It’s incredible what the gut does and that it’s central to so much of our health. What kind of protocols did you go through for SIBO?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 27:10
It can feel like everything is being taken out of your diet with SIBO, and it’s overwhelming. Then you get the chicken-and-egg feeling—is my gut stressing me out, or am I stressed because of my gut? What was that journey like for you?

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 27:26
I was doing all the healthy things, so how could I have SIBO? I think it was stress-related. I started with an antibiotic, then herbs, and removed gluten, sugar, dairy, and alcohol. It was overwhelming, but I felt so much better after two weeks. I realized how bloated I’d been, so removing things felt easier because I just felt so much better without them.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 28:17
It’s important to hear that because some people think if they need an antibiotic, they’re not healthy. There’s a time and place for conventional medicine if it gets you back on track. That’s why I love integrative medicine; it means conventional and holistic medicine can play together.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 28:52
I definitely was worried about taking an antibiotic! So, I’d love to hear more about the science and research that goes into Nutrafol. The supplement industry can be hard for consumers to navigate, so could you give us an overview?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 29:40
That’s a great question. As people become more aware of ingredients, they still don’t understand how not all supplements are created equal. The supplement industry has a lot of companies that genuinely want to help, but smaller brands may not have resources for regulatory compliance or certifications. It’s important to trust a reputable company. Nutrafol, for example, does third-party manufacturing and clinical studies on our final formulations, which isn’t required in dietary supplements. We’ve done over 19 clinical studies on our finished products, including randomized, placebo-controlled trials. That’s why we can say things like 90% of women saw improvements in their hair after six months. This kind of research provides proof and assurance for consumers. Nutrafol also has strict ingredient testing for potency, purity, and quality.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 32:45
So when companies say "clinical study on the ingredient," is that just third-party research on the ingredient?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 32:54
Yes, it depends. Some companies use patented raw materials with their own clinical studies, and brands can cite that ingredient research, which is fine. However, some smaller companies might blanket-claim studies on ingredients without specific trials on their finished product. Nutrafol has a whole science page with our clinical studies and peer-reviewed publications because we believe in transparency and advancing the field.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 36:38
What are some new areas of research Nutrafol is exploring?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 36:44
I can’t reveal too much, but we’re seeing more research on the gut microbiome’s role in hair and skin health, plus the immune system and stress response. We’re exploring new ingredients, technology, and delivery systems. We recently launched a skin supplement, which was inspired by employees struggling with acne, applying the same root-cause approach.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 38:06
What are some key ingredients or hero ingredients in Nutrafol products today?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 38:18
We have something called the Synergen Complex in all our formulas, which targets those root causes. For stress, we have ashwagandha, an adaptogen to help the body handle stressors. For environmental stressors, we use tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E) and curcumin from turmeric for antioxidants. Saw palmetto helps reduce DHT, which can cause hair thinning. Each formula has unique ingredients depending on the person’s needs, like more saw palmetto for hormonal support in our Women’s Balance, or postpartum-specific ingredients like shatavari and DHA in Nutrafol Postpartum. Our Women’s Vegan formula, my favorite, includes Moldavian dragonhead, pea sprouts, probiotics, and key nutrients often lacking in vegan diets, like B12, D, and K2.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 41:56
What an all-star lineup! Have you tried Nutrafol yourself?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 41:59
Yes, my favorite is the vegan formula! You don’t have to be vegan to take it, but it’s an amazing formula.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 42:03
I haven’t tried the vegan one, but now I might. I’ve been a fan of Nutrafol for a while. What are some of the biggest misconceptions you hear from consumers about hair loss?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 42:18
I hear a lot of despondency—people feel hopeless or embarrassed, especially women, since hair is tied to identity. Nutrafol launched "Shed the Silence," a private Facebook group, in 2022 to destigmatize female hair struggles. We had a virtual event recently, and women shared experiences, some even off-camera due to discomfort. It’s empowering to know others are going through it too. Education is huge because people often hear things like "DHT is bad" without context. Nutrafol helps connect the dots for people to understand how life changes, stress, and other factors impact hair.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 44:31
That’s a wonderful thing you have. Let’s move into some rapid-fire Q&A! What are three things you’re currently loving?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 44:48
I’m loving Pellegrino water, methylene blue (a mitochondrial support tincture), and astragalus root for immune support.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 45:13
Perfect segue—what are your three favorite herbs?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 45:16
Lemon balm for emotional stress, astragalus root as a tonic, and milk thistle for liver support.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 45:33
What’s one wellness trend you wish people would let go of?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 45:42
Biohacking. Instead, I want people to incorporate vitamin R—rest and relaxation.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 45:45
Any tips for ensuring you get rest?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 45:51
I check in with my body, do an energetic audit, and make sure I get at least 20 minutes of movement daily, even if it’s just walking around the kitchen.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 46:19
Favorite book or podcast for growth?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 46:24
Do the Tao Now by Dr. Wayne Dyer is a great book.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 46:30
And lastly, what’s your number one non-negotiable for wellness?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 46:36
Cut out pro-inflammatory people, thoughts, energy, and vibes.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 46:41
Love it. Brianna, thank you so much for being here today. Where can everyone find you?

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 46:48
Elizabeth, it was amazing to be here. I hope you’ll come on my podcast soon! You can find me mostly on Instagram at @BriannaDiorio, or check out my website, briannadiorio.com, for information and my podcast, the Brianna Approved Podcast.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 47:06
Amazing. Thanks so much for being here.

Dr. Brianna Diorio (Guest) 47:08
Thanks, Elizabeth! Have a good one. Bye.

Elizabeth Stein (Host) 47:13
Thanks so much for joining me on Live Purely with Elizabeth. I hope you feel inspired to thrive on your wellness journey. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to rate, subscribe, and review. You can follow us on Instagram at purely_elizabeth to catch up on all the latest. See you next Wednesday on the podcast.