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 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.
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:
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 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 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 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 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 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.
0 comments:
Post a Comment