Hair Loss Treatment (continued)

Hair Loss Treatment – Dietary  Recommendations

1. Reduce your intake of meat and dairy products

A high-fat, high-animal protein, dairy and high-salt diet damages the kidneys and creates acidic blood, thereby leading to hair loss, according to Paul Pitchford’s Healing with Whole Foods and Janet Zand’s, Allan N. Spreen’s and James B. LaValle’s Smart Medicine for Healthier Living.

Scientists postulate that the male pattern baldness is tied to increased testosterone levels during puberty. A high-fat, meat-based diet raises testosterone levels, and that may adversely affect hair follicles. For example, in Japan, male pattern baldness was very rare prior to World War II when the diet was lean and healthy. The Japanese now consume a more fatty, Westernized diet. Baldness is now increasing substantially among Japanese men. Eating low-fat foods may not stop hair loss; but it might help slow down the hair loss.

2. Eat Essential Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for a good circulation that will feed the hair roots. It also supplies the body with enough motivation to get on with the production of the hormones. Its best sources are the fish oils, tuna, salmon, and flaxseed oil.

Omega 3, an essential fatty acid, is vital to healthy hair. Starved of essential nutrients such as this, the body reacts, and as well as other health issues hair health can be compromised.

The Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, EPA, and DHA, are specific elements that are required for vigorous and natural hair growth. Omega 3s are especially helpful because they promote a better absorption of nutrients in cells. Cells with the proper nutrition are able to function better and perform their primary tasks more efficiently.

It is well-known that Omega 3 has hair-growing properties. Its three main nutrients, all found in various foods in differing quantities, are ALA (alpha linolic acid), EPA (ecoisapentaionc acid) and DHA (docosahexaenioc acid). You can find a high amount of Omega 3 fatty acids in salmon, halibut, sardines, albacore, trout, herring, walnut, flaxseed oil and canola oil. Omega 3 fatty acids are also present in shrimp, clams, light chunk tuna, catfish, cod, and spinach.

3. Avoid Mercury

Excessive levels of mercury deposited from too much fish can lead to mercury poisoning which can result in unexplained hair loss.

While fish remain a good source of protein and other important nutrients, we should be aware of the kinds of fish and the amount of fish we include in our diet.

4. Eat protein

Since hair is protein, a diet that is too low in protein may cause some thinning in hair or a retardation in the growth cycle.  The converse is true, If you eat a protein-rich diet it will often result in improved hair growth.

A recommended diet for this purpose includes calves liver, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, and two tablespoons of granulated lecithin. Along with protein, these foods are also high in B vitamins, an important nutrient for hair.

Vegetarians should not forget that they should integrate foods rich in protein in their diets such as the beans, wheat, brown rice, corn, nuts, or seeds. The cysteine is another amino acid which makes up the protein. It can be found in foods rich in Sulfur like the meat, fish, egg yolks, onion, nuts, garlic, kale, raspberries, and cabbage. This amino acid is also a renowned detoxifier.

The numerous nutrients which you need to take in are protein, B-complex, Vitamins A and C, omega-3 fatty acids, and cysteine, which is another amino acid. Any deficiency with these nutrients is likely to cause hair loss.

5. Eat Natural Whole Soy Protein Products

European studies have found that soy protein reinforces hair and stimulates its growth. In one study, The hair growth increased by 15 percent. Tofu and soy milk are good sources of soy protein. Other good sources of protein are: low-fat cheese, eggs, fish, beans, brewer’s yeast and yogurt.

New research published in the journal Biology of Reproduction reveals that consuming soy milk and other soy products could reduce hair loss and male pattern baldness. How? When the body breaks down isoflavones from soy products, one of the resulting compounds is equol, which blocks a form of testosterone called DHT that has been linked with hair loss and baldness. The hair loss prescription drug, Propecia, works in much the same way by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT.

The BBC is reporting on the molecule equol. Equol is produced in the intestine when soy is digested. No, that’s not the interesting bit. The interesting bit is that equol seems to prevent DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a form or by-product of testosterone, from working. And as we all know (or are about to learn) DHT is thought to be one cause of male pattern baldness.

6. Avoid processed soy protein products 

Avoid isolated isoflavone supplements and products that contain and soy protein, Studies have shown that consuming isolated soy protein products can trigger hyper- thryoidism where hair loss is a side effect.

It’s far too easy to exceed a healthy dietary intake with supplements. The typical Japanese diet contains only about 40 mg of isoflavones per day, while the average supplement contains about 85 mg. When you concentrate on one nutrient, you lose others and whole soybeans contain many other nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet, such as protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. There are also hundreds of different phytochemicals in soybeans and it’s the combined action of all of the components in soy that provide the full health benefits.

Hair Loss Treatment Supplements

Iron

In a recent article in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Dermatologists from the Cleveland Clinic recently reviewed 40 years of research and have concluded that they could enhance hair loss treatment when they treated the patient for iron deficiency.

Do not take iron supplements unless a doctor has told you that you have iron deficiency. Iron  Iron supplements cause constipation and gastrointestinal upset"

To increase your iron reserves, eat a diet full of iron-rich foods, such as tofu, lentils, beans, oysters, spinach, prunes, raisins, and, lean beef, liver, potatoes, fresh green vegetables, fortified cereal, and watermelon.

B-Vitamins

B vitamins are important for the health and growth of the hair. Foods rich in B vitamins include beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, soy beans, nutritional yeast, bran, nuts and eggs.

Especially important to healthy hair growth are foods containing vitamin B12. These include free range eggs, grass-fed meat, and poultry. According to dermatologist and hair loss expert Ted Daly, MD, it’s a nutrient hair just can’t live without, and one can easily develop a deficiency.

Biotin

Biotin is very important for hair health. It is needed for healthy hair and skin, and may even prevent hair loss in some men. Eat plenty of foods high in biotin and/ or take it in supplemental form. Good food sources of biotin include brewer’s yeast, brown rice, bulgur, green peas, lentils, oats, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and walnuts. You can also use hair care products containing biotin.

Recommended dosage: 50 mg 3 times daily.

Inositol

Inositol is vital for hair growth.

Recommended dosage: 100 mg twice daily.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C aids in improving scalp circulation. It is important to maintain capillaries that carry blood to the follicles.

Recommended dosage: 3,000-10,000 mg daily.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E increases oxygen uptake, which improves circulation to the scalp. It improves health and growth of hair. Since hair health is tied to the immune health, vitamin E is believed to stimulate hair growth by enhancing the immune function. 
Recommended dosage: Start with 400 IU daily and slowly increase to 800-1,000 IU daily.

Zinc

Zinc stimulates hair growth by enhancing immune function.

Hair Loss Treatment – Herbs

Saw Palmetto

The active compounds – free fatty acids and phytosterols in Saw Palmetto are thought to reduce the effects of DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that contributes to androgenetic alopecia.

Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts in a similar way that propecia does. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by blocking 5 alpa-reductase. Secondly, Saw Palmetto blocks receptors sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Although no studies have been carried out on saw palmetto and its relation to hair growth, studies have been performed on the use of Saw Palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic disease, which is similar to androgenetic alopecia in that it also depends on the production of dihydrotestosterone. All of the studies that have been performed to date show that Saw Palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and has shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment of benign prostatic disease.

One may assume from this that since Saw Palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and is used in the treatment of prostatic disease then it may also be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

An ever increasing number of companies are marketing Saw Palmetto in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The mechanism of action is thought to be that by preventing or slowing down the breakdown of testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone, one can prevent or minimize premature male pattern baldness. The Saw Palmetto Harvesting Company now manufactures a saw palmetto shampoo designs to stop hair loss and promote hair regrowth.

Aloe Vera 

Taken from the inner leaves of plants, includes the enzyme which is beneficial in stimulating the new hair production .It is a substance in a gel formation that is known for its ability to calm irritated skin. It protects the scalp and hair and also known as a good remedy against Alopecia.

One can apply aloe Vera gel on the whole scalp and hair so as to treat hair loss.

Dong Quai 

A Traditional Chinese herb that contains phytoestrogens that reduces the formation of DHT. Hence, Dong Quai is believed to stop hair loss and even regrow hair.
Dong Quai contains substances known as phytoestrogens. Studies have shown that these substances can stabilize and sometimes even reverse the effects of genetic hair loss.

Additional herbs that can be helpful in the treatment of hair loss are:

• Capsicum – A type of hot peppers which stimulates hair growth by at least half and increases blood flow to the scalp. This herb is good for regrowing hair.
• Lemongrass – A pale green stalk about 18 inches long. This herb stables oil product in the scalp. It also increases fullness and body to the hair.

Secondary Factors

As mentioned, in addition to the DHT factor there are other secondary factors that may also contribute to the hair loss. While they do not cause pattern baldness, they do affect how susceptible (weak) the hair follicle is to the effects of DHT. By being aware of these additional factors, we can increase our ability to fight DHT and increase our chances of preventing and halting hair loss through the blocking of DHT.

Excessive Sebum

The accumulation of sebum in the scalp is believed to block hair follicles and contribute to hair loss. Recently, a group of Japanese researchers reported a correlation between excessive sebum in the scalp and hair loss. Excessive sebum often accompanying thinning hair is attributed to an enlargement of the sebaceous gland. They believe excessive sebum causes a high level of 5-alpha reductase which is then converted to DHT and also to pore clogging which would lead to malnutrition of the hair root.

Cholesterol Accumulation

Cholesterol which has been known to produce the enzyme 5 alpha reductase can also accumulate in the skin and scalp. When this cholesterol accumulation comes in contact with sunlight it produces the enzyme 5 alpha reductase directly in the scalp. Since the hair follicles contain testosterone, DHT is then produced in the skin and on the scalp. Since the ultimate goal is to block DHT from reaching the hair follicles, it is very important to keep cholesterol from accumulating in the scalp.

Poor Circulation

The lack of good blood circulation to the scalp may contribute to hair loss. When the hair root is well supplied with blood it is stronger and less susceptible to the shrinking effects caused by DHT. Good blood flow strengthens and rejuvenates the small blood vessels in the scalp. Stronger blood vessels increase the longevity of the hair follicles especially in thinning areas and encourage hair growth.

Aging

There is evidence that the production of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase is triggered by age. Many scientist believe that the free radical damage caused by our continuous exposure to pollutants, stress, and various stimuli is what accelerates the aging process in many of us. This aging process is what triggers the beginnings of hair loss. If we can keep our bodies from aging prematurely, then we can at least delay hair loss.

Poor Nutrition

It is important that you have a good nutritional base not only to prevent hair loss, but for your overall health. There are certain vitamins and minerals that are indispensable for hair health. Some of these vitamins and minerals are easy to get from everyday foods and some are not. For those that are not easily obtained, there are a variety of supplements that can help you achieve the correct nutritional balance for your hair.