Hair loss prevention
Author: Karyn Siegel-Maier
How to hang on to your Hair
Rogaine (manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn) is a topical over-the-counter treatment (containing minoxidil) that gained wide popularity several years ago, and is an FDA-approved hair-loss product. But, its unwanted side effects are still coming to light. For one thing, it works like a bank -- you won't see anything (new hair) for about 12 months and, if you withdraw the application of minoxidil, even after a period of several years, you'll likely lose all of the hair that matured during that time. Oral minoxidil is used to treat high blood pressure and while it's unlikely that the recommended topical dose would have the same effect, systemic absorption via a scalp abrasion or cut can increase this risk. Even sunburn on the scalp can produce this consequence. But, the bottom line is that it doesn't help everyone grow hair. Only 26 percent of male users aged 18-49 years experience significant hair regrowth and 41 percent of both male and female users don't benefit from any regrowth at all. In addition, extra-strength Rogaine (which contains 5 percent minoxidil), often used in combination with Retin-A to increase absorption, has been shown to cause heart enlargement and heart muscle damage in animal studies.
Propecia (made by Merck) is another treatment approved by the FDA that contains 1 mg of finasteride. Like minoxidil, finasteride also blocks release of the "bad enzyme" (5 ar), but also poses potential health risks. Women of childbearing age are excluded from using this medication since even handling the tablets can cause serious birth defects, as are those undergoing certain forms of HIV treatment. Finasteride is also used to treat prostate enlargement and works in the same way as minoxidil to treat hair loss. But, it only works as long as the medication is continued; any hair regrowth will fall out within 1 year of ceasing medication. Other side effects include loss of sex drive, erectile dysfunction and a decrease in the volume of ejaculate. For most guys, this is enough to make them look elsewhere.
Nutrition and your hair
For one thing, good nutrition can go a long way in helping you keep your halo of hair. In fact, in Asian countries where vegetables are primary in the diet, pattern baldness is rarely seen. B vitamins in particular are crucial to healthy sebum production and new cell generation. Some minerals work synergistically with others to boost antioxidant activity and help block "bad" enzymes. Therefore, a balanced, varied diet of fresh, whole foods is important.
Hair ye, Hair ye!
Remember that hair loss can mean more than the fading of beauty and youth; it can also be a signal of a serious disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner at the first signs of thinning hair to discuss the best course of treatment for you. So you can restore, or keep, your "crowning glory."
Top 8 Hair Raising Supplements
Here's a sample of some of the best supplements to promote healthy hair:
L-lysine
An amino acid with a patent pending for hair growth. Rich sources include
chicken, turkey, fish, legumes and most vegetables. In supplement form, up to
500 mg daily is believed to be safe, although it is not suitable for children
or pregnant or nursing women.
L-arginine
Another amino acid that may stimulate hair growth by increasing absorption
of nitric acid. Suggested dose is 1.5 g per day.
Saw palmetto
An herb that may reduce/slow hair loss. Recommended dosage is 320 mg/day.
Grape seed extract
Contains proanthocyanidins that stimulate growth in hair epithelial
cells. Suggested dosage is 150 to 300 mg per day.
Green tea extract
Has antioxidants (catechins) that may hold back hair loss. Suggested
dosage is 30 to 300 mg daily.
Gla
Gamma linolenic acid (GLA) -- a good fat -- also helps hold back the
"Great Recession." Borage oil is one of the best sources. Suggested
dosage is 100 to 500 mg daily.
Soy iso flavones
Antioxidant phytoestrogens in soy reduce hair loss. These can be found
in soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, miso and soy milk. Suggested serving "dosage"
is 25 g of soy protein per day.
Stinging nettle root extract
Used for benign prostate hyperplasia, but also thought to help hair.
Try taking 120 mg twice a day.
A full plate of food= a full head of hair
Several different factors can add up to hair loss. Some, like heredity or genetics, are impossible to change, but others like stress, poor diet and vitamin deficiencies, can be easily altered. First and foremost, healthy hair is dependent upon good blood circulation. Vitamins C and E and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) can help improve scalp circulation (as will a daily scalp massage). You can find vitamin C in Brussels sprouts, cranberries, mango, broccoli and tomatoes. Wheat germ and egg yolks are both rich in vitamin E and CoQ10.
B vitamins play a crucial role in the health and growth of hair. One place to get them is from blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap is the most unrefined of all molasses and, besides having a high concentration of B vitamins, is also high in calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin E. Obvious uses are in cookies and breads, but also try mixing some blackstrap molasses into barbecue sauce or baked beans.
Deficiencies in biotin have been linked to hair loss, and essential fatty acids can improve hair texture and prevent dry, brittle hair. You can get biotin from liver, sardines, soy, whole grains, nuts and beans. Good fats, essential fatty acids (EFAs), are also important for your "mane event." They can be found in cold-pressed olive oil, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and marine oils.
Rosemary, taken both internally and externally, can be an effective herb against hair loss. Add some fresh rosemary to your pasta sauce or favorite soup, or brew a cup of rosemary tea. To use externally, mix up a batch of homemade rosemary hair treatment: combine about 20 drops of rosemary essential oil with a few ounces of almond oil. Massage into the scalp and wrap your hair with a towel. Let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse with a gentle shampoo.
Karyn Seigel-Maier is a freelance writer who specializes in herbs, alternative
medicine and new-age issues. She is a frequent contributor to national and regional
magazines, newsletters and other publications. She is the author of The Naturally
Clean Home: 101 Safe and Easy Herbal Formulas for Non-Toxic Cleansers
Other Pages
Hair Loss Prevention 1
Hair Loss Prevention 2
