May 01, 2002 - Osmotics Corporation launched its long awaited FNS hair loss treatment. The product is based on the research conducted by Dr. Ella Lindenbaum and her team from the Technion University in Haifa, Israel.

FNS treats hair loss in a unique way by supplying the follicle with a proprietary mixture of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Osmotics claim these nutrients, which are essential for growing strong healthy hair, will effectively address hair loss and increase hair thickness, strength, and vigor.

Although FNS was based on the original formulation called Piliel, it no longer contains the hormones that were in the original formulation.

In an interview conducted by Hairlosshelp.com Dr. Lindenbaum explained the reason for this.

"The original formulation contained insulin, which transports amino acids and glucose across the cell membrane. Recent scientific discoveries have identified alternative compounds that have the same insulin-like properties. The final formulation for FNS will contain an ingredient that actively transports amino acids and glucose across cell membranes as effectively, if not more so, than the original formulation. The use of growth hormone and thyroxine was eliminated due to the minor role they play in augmenting the efficacy of the hair growth."
- Dr. Lindenbaum

Based on the ingredients in FNS, the replacement for insulin is believed to be Cinnamon Extract. Scientists have isolated and identified methylhydroxychalcone (MHCP) as the phytochemical responsible for cinnamon's activity. MHCP increases cellular glucose oxidation by factors of up to 20-fold, improves the function of the insulin receptors on the cell, and has a strong antioxidant effect. In studies scientists have found that MHCP treatment stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis to a similar level as insulin and concluded that MHCP is an effective mimetic of insulin and may be useful in the treatment of insulin resistance and in the study of the pathways leading to glucose utilization in cells.

FNS also uses a liposomal vehicle to help transport the amino acids through the skin to the follicle. Osmotics recommends that FNS is used once a day and is best applied at night and washed out in the morning. The product retails for $65.00 for a 4.0 fl oz. a bottle and Osmotics says that 3-4 pumps of the liquid per day will last for approximately 2 months.

The product needs to be refrigerated and may turn from a light yellow color to a brownish red color over time but this is normal and will not affect the products strength. FNS can be used by both men and women.

A participant in the original Piliel trial.

Karalee J. Jarvill-Taylor, PhD, Richard A. Anderson, PhD, and Donald J. Graves, PhD

Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa (K.J.J.-T., D.J.G.), Human Nutrition Research Center, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, Maryland (R.A.A.) [djgraves5@yahoo.com]

Objectives: These studies investigated the ability of a hydroxychalcone from cinnamon to function as an insulin mimetic in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Methods: Comparative experiments were performed with the cinnamon methylhydroxychalcone (MHCP) polymer and insulin with regard to glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase dependency, glycogen synthase activation and glycogen synthase kinase-3 activity. The phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor was also investigated.

Results: MHCP treatment stimulated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis to a similar level as insulin. Glycogen synthesis was inhibited by both wortmannin and LY294002, inhibitors directed against the PI-3-kinase. In addition, MHCP treatment activated glycogen synthase and inhibited glycogen synthase kinase-3 activities, known effects of insulin treatment. Analysis of the insulin receptor demonstrated that the receptor was phosphorylated upon exposure to the MHCP. This supports that the insulin cascade was triggered by MHCP. Along with comparing MHCP to insulin, experiments were done with MHCP and insulin combined. The responses observed using the dual treatment were greater than additive, indicating synergism between the two compounds.

Conclusion: Together, these results demonstrate that the MHCP is an effective mimetic of insulin. MHCP may be useful in the treatment of insulin resistance and in the study of the pathways leading to glucose utilization in cells.