1. Cause, Prevention and Treatment of Hair Loss
Discover How To Regrow Your Hair
Presented By Susan Stormers
The adult scalp contains about 100,000 hair follicles. Everyday
the scalp loses about 100 hairs and they will grow back in 5-6
weeks. Starting at age 40, the levels of by-product prolactin of
testosterone of men increases, stimulating the production of the
enzyme 5- alpha reductase that causes the conversion of
testosterone to gihydro-testosterones DHT causing our hair to
grow back thinner or not grown back at all. This causes an
androgenic alopecia hair loss problem, since DHT shrinks the
follicles causing hair thins and hair receding at the forehead,
crown and temple for men and thins over the entire scalp for
2. women. What causes hair loss.
1. The Causes of Hair Loss
a) Aging Human aging is the biological process that is unavoidable
but controllable with healthy diet with complex carbohydrates,
green foods, garlic, onion, water and juices that will help to
decrease the aging process in some degree. It also helps to
reduce the amount of DHT produced in our body, result in
postponing hair loss to our scalp.
b) Mineral deficiency Minerals such as calcium, iron, copper,
chromium, iodine, zinc, and magnesium are necessary to
maintain healthy hair growth. Mineral deficiency will reduce the
chance to regulate the blood circulation that promotes healthy
hair growth and thyroid hormones that prevent dry hair and hair
loss as well as defects in hair color. Too much iron is toxic to your
body. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any mineral
supplement.
c) Oxygen deficiency Oxygen deficiency in your blood weakens
the hair follicles, leading to dryness of the scalp and hair loss.
Uncontrolled diet that is high in saturated fat causes cholesterol
building up in your arteries resulting in less oxygen in your blood
stream. Also cigarette smoking and second hand smoke reduces
the blood flow and increases the blood clotting activity of cells
which would clog the blood flow and damage arteries causing
oxygen deficiency and results in weaken of the hair follicles.
d) Side affects of medication taken Some medications contains
elements that might cause hair loss such as lithium, warfarin,
heparin, and amphetamines. When hair loss is a side effect of a
medication, hair growth usually returns to normal once the drug
is stopped.
e) Genetic hair loss Hair loss is due to heredity. It is passed down
from generation to generation. Genetic hair loss appears
predominately in men, but may also appear in a few select
women.
3. 2. Food to Avoid
Foods that can cause hair loss and diminish hair growth.
a) Saturated and Trans fat Foods such as meat, poultry, and fried
foods contain high saturated fat. Foods such as margarine,
cheese, and butter contain high amounts of trans fat. These foods
cause cholesterol to build up in your arteries and small veins in
your scalp resulting in less oxygen being delivered to the cell in
your body, including the cells on the follicles.
b) Foods that contain Aspartame and Monosodium Glutamate
Monosodium Glutamate contain chemicals that causes weight
gain, increased appetite and also causes various kinds of health
problems such as hair loss. Aspartame contains toxic chemicals
that make you gain weight, increases hunger and causes medical
problems like migraines and poor blood circulation.
c) Smoking As we mentioned in the previous article, smoking can
reduce blood flow to the scalp causing hardening in the arteries,
limit blood flow and make hair loss worse.
d) Artificial Color Artifiicial color contains chemical compounds
that take their toll on the body's natural balance. Specific foods to
avoid include colored drinks, color-coated candies, gummy and
chewy candies, and many colored cereals.
e) Preservatives These are potentially toxic to the liver and
kidneys that cause hair loss and prevent hair growth as we
mentioned in the article "Hair loss part IV--regrow hair with
Chinese herbs".
f) Food Packaging Polyvinyl chloride is a known carcinogen, and
it's often used as plastic food wrap. It is toxic with high amounts
causing damage to the kidney and liver resulting in hair loss.
g) Salt Eating too much salt can lead to fluid retention and
increased blood pressure that cause less oxygen to be delivered
to the body's cells including cells in your scalp in result of losing
hair.
3. Hair Loss Prevention and Treatment
4. I. Here are some important minerals that may help to prevent hair
loss and promote hair re- growth:
a) Iron Iron is involved in the oxygenation of your body's red
blood cells. It is essential for normal hair growth and maintaining
healthy hair. If the amount of iron can not be replaced with food
intake, iron deficiency will cause hair loss because of oxygen
deficiency.
b) Zinc It helps to secrete the scalp with much needed oil and
avoid dandruff that may cause hair loss.
c) Copper Study shows that these tripeptide complexes may
actually be able to regrow hair, even in patients with total hair
loss due to alopecia. Healthy tissue concentrations of copper lie
between 1. 7 and 3. 5 milligrams. Everything else will cause hair
loss.
d) B vitamins The deficiency of B vitamins (especially B6, B3, B5
and folic acid) in your diet may lead to hair loss.
e) Biotin Biotin works as an anti aging agent and helps to produce
keratin in preventing gray hair and hair loss. Sources of biotin are:
whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk.
f) Vitamin A Vitamin A is important for over-all good health. It's
also beneficial to hair follicles, as it keeps the hair root lubricated.
Too much vitamin A might result in hair loss.
g) Vitamin E Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that aids effective
circulation in the scalp due to increased oxygen uptake in blood,
therefore it plays an important role in promoting hair growth and
preventing hair loss.
h) CQ-10 Coenzyme Q10 (CQ-10) is an essential vitamin that
provides our body with the nutrients needed to grow healthy hair.
They also promote overall vitality, and contribute to beautiful skin
and strong nails.
II. Here are some daily foods that might help to prevent hair loss
and promote hair re- growth
1. Yogurt and soy Yogurt and soy contain high amounts of protein
5. that is needed to maintain hair growth. Study shows that soy
protein reinforces hair and stimulates its growth.
2. Dark green vegetable Dark green vegetable contains high
amounts of iron that are needed to restore oxygen levels in the
blood stream as well as nurturing the body's cells.
3. Whole grain products Whole grain contains zinc which is
needed to maintain healthy hair. Zinc deficiency can lead to dry
hair and oily skin.
4. Essential fatty acid Essential fatty acid can be found abundant
in cold water fish. It helps to maintain healthy cholesterol and
reduce triglyceride in result of increasing circulation of blood flow
in our body.
6. Nut and seed Nuts and seeds are fatty foods which are typically
the best sources of vitamin E, an immune enhancing antioxidant
and nerve protector. Deficiency of vitamin E can lead to skin
disorders, dry hair and loss of hair.
7. Carrots Carrots contain high amounts of vitamin A. It is an
antioxidant that helps produce healthy sebum in the scalp. Having
too much vitamin A can lead to hair loss. There are many other
foods that help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss, such
as fruits, egg, spinach, and broccoli.
Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking large amounts of the
above foods. There may be side effects, such as overdoses of
vitamin A in carrot might result in hair loss.
III. Traditionally, herbs have been around for over thousands of
years and offer much success to prevent or cure diseases well
before the discovery of western medicine. Here are some herbs
thathave been proven in treating hair loss and promoting hair
growth
a) Shikakai Acacia Concinna is a small shrub-like tree that grows in
India. It's pod-like fruit is collected, dried and then grounded into
a fine powder. It is used to cleanse hair, and is known to promote
hair growth and get rid of dandruff. Due to these benefits, this
6. powder was named shikakai which means "fruit for the hair".
b) Grape seed extract Grape seed extract is a very strong
antioxidant that some use as a supplement or remedy to various
conditions. It contains high levels of vitamin E and essential fatty
acids that are essential for maintaining hair growth and
preventing hair loss.
c) Kirin Brewery new discovery Japanese cosmetics company
Shiseido working with Kirin Brewery has discovered a unique
property of an extract of hops that can help to activate the
melanocyte cells that generate hair pigment.
d) Saw palmetto As we mentioned in another article, Saw
palmetto is the number one choice for men. Saw palmetto helps
to block the formation of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that
causes the conversion of testosterone to DHT that causes hair
loss.
e) Basil extract Basil Extract from the natural flowers of the basil
plant, works to quickly soothe and calm skin of the scalp.
f) Pumpkin Seed Pumpkin seeds help to block DHT, which is
responsible for genetic hair loss. This common seed is loaded with
zinc and magnesium that have the ability to block enzymes which
yield DHT causing damage to follicles and resulting in hair loss.
g) Buddleja Davidii Extract Buddleja Davidii extract contain active
ingredients protecting the skin against toxic radicals. It can also
help reduce skin aging and protect the skin against the damage
caused from stresses and toxins.
h) Green Tea Green tea contains the chemical globulin that helps
to reduce levels of free testosterone, so
that it cannot be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the
hair follicle. Be sure to talk to your doctor or dermatologist before
taking any herb supplement.
IV. Traditionally Chinese herbs have been around for over 4000
years and have offered much success to prevent or cure diseases
well before the discovery of western medicine. Hair loss is directly
7. linked to kidney deficiency syndrome in Chinese traditional
medicine. People with hair loss problems especially in their early
life may have a weak Kidney. Here are some Chinese herbs that
have been proven in treating hair loss and promoting hair growth
a) Dong Quai Traditionally, Chinese woman used Dong Quai to
restore blood cells and increase the circulation of oxygen in the
bloodstream to cells after period. Dong Quai contains
phytoestrogen that helps to block the androgen receptor site in
result of blocking the conversion of testerone to DHT, therefore
reducing the chance of hair loss due to aging.
b) Ginseng Ginseng is said to have the power of rejuvenating and
energizing the body. It also helps to stimulate circulation of
oxygen in our bloodstream to the cells of our body as well as the
cells in our scalp.
c) Shou wu (polygonum) Shou Wu is a polygonum multiflorum
plant. It is now being used in conjuncture with other herbals, as
an active ingredient in shampoos and orally administered to
prevent hair loss as well as aiding the restoration of roots and
production of new hair.
d) Psoralea seeds Study shows that psoralea extract and exposure
to ultra violet light will help to restore hair loss and promote hair
regrowth with a 33% success rate.
e) Mulberry Chinese herbalists believe that mulberry is an
excellent tonic for the kidney, liver and blood that provides more
oxygen in the bloodstream as well as small blood vessels in the
scalp.
f) Chinese Yam Numerous successful studies have been
performed in examining the benefits of the Chinese yam. Chinese
yam can help to nourish the liver, kidney and blood in result of
preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth.
g) Green tea Green tea containing catechins inhibit the enzyme 5-
alpha-reductase that converts testosterone into hair-unfriendly
DHT. So drinking great tea everyday is an effective treatment for
8. male pattern baldness.
h) Chinese foxblove root Chinese foxblove root contains cornus,
the chemical that help to nurture the kidney, liver
and blood in result of promoting hair growth.
i) Wolf berry One of the natural superfoods has been used in
traditional Chinese cooking. Wolf berry helps to eliminate toxins
in the body in result of better function of the kidney, liver and
blood that help to promote hair growth.
Chinese medicine believes that the benefit of nourishing the
kidney and blood tonic helps for healthy hair growth and
preventing hair loss.
V. Here are some prescription and over the counter drugs that
might help prevent further hair loss and promote hair growth.
1. Minoxidil Minoxidil is an over the counter drug and is a spray or
lotion that you put directly on your scalp twice a day. It is
available without a prescription. It is believed to work by affecting
potassium- regulating mechanisms in the hair follicle. Study
shows that it helps to slow and stop hair loss and regrow new hair
with over 60 % success rate. Be sure talk to your doctor or
dermatologist before taking minoxidil. It might cause rash to
some patients.
2. Finasteride Finastteride is an oral prescription medication.
Finasteride is a synthetic hormone that halts hair loss and
stimulates new hair growth. It is a medication that selectively
inhibits the activity of an enzyme that converts the "male
hormone" testosterone into a form that is active in hair follicles.
3. Rogaine Rogaine is a clear alcohol-based solution and should be
applied to a person's thinning area with it's supplied dropper or
spray twice a day. It helps about 25 percent of men and 20
percent of women to grow back moderate amounts of hair very
gradually, mostly on the very top of the head. They must keep
using Rogaine indefinitely to keep the new hair.
4. Retin-A Retin-A is only available by prescription in the US. In
9. the right doses and when combined with Minoxidil it can be a hair
growth stimulator. Studies shows that Retin- A can result in
moderate hair growth in some patients.
5. Proscar Proscar contains the same active ingredient finasteride.
Proscar has the effect of lowering the hormone DHT, which
interacts with bald vulnerable hair follicles and causes hair loss.
By reducing the DHT in the patient's body the finasteride in the
Proscar proved to slow and even stop or reverse hair loss in many
men.
Before taking any hair loss medication over the counter, please
consult your doctor or dermatologist.
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