Hair
loss is not just rooted in DHT. DHT stimulates TGF-B1, which
stimulates collagen enzymes, which further stimulate apoptosis.
Cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, ROS (Reactive Oxygen
Species), Superoxide, Prostaglandin imbalances and stress hormones, prolactin, HTPA and other
factors play an important role as well. Moreover, diet
plays a strong role in how much additional DHT and the above
mentioned factors will be allowed wreak havoc on your hair. Much
of this is due to the inflammatory nature of adulterated and/or
processed foods.
If
you doubt the veracity of my statement concerning diet, try eating
packaged, convenience foods day after day, especially those loaded with
hydrogenated oils, sugar, fructose, corn syrup, enriched, bleached flour-based ingredients. What you may
find is that in as little as days, a strong prevalence of newly formed
acne can result, and some notice of disturbance of the skin on the
scalp.
Refined
starches
and sugars, processed oils, margarines, trans-fatty acids
throw a wrench into healthy prostaglandins, enzymes related to skin and
hair, liver health, hormonal balance, and various metabolic functions
critical to health. Also, due to commonly over prescribed
anti-biotics (Greek for anti-life), yeast overgrowths produce
acetylides and other toxic substances, which result in Candida
overgrowth. An imbalance in intestinal
microflora gives rise to hormone imbalances. Please visit the
physiology page for more information on Candida overgrowth, since this
factor alone can prevent any benefit from the regimen from working.
A protein upregulated in balding scalps called DKK-1 is also triggered by DHT. Some research suggests that DKK-1 levels can be buffered by lowering Lp(a) levels. The most effective way to do this is to insure that thyroid hormone is balanced. I hypothesize that male pattern baldness is actually a result of thyroid hormone imbalance. Both insufficient and excess levels of thyroid hormones T3 and/or T4 can result in hair loss. For example, T4 (thyroxine) prolongs the anagen phase possibily due to the downregulation of TGF-beta2.
While thyroid problems are largely undiagnosed, even if they are a large proportion of these patients only receive synthetic T4, which can cause hair loss. However patients do much better when taking natural T4 and T3 (Triiodothyronine). It is estimated that as many as 70% of the world (perhaps more) have less than optimal levels of iodine. Note that iodine is required for proper conversion of T3 from T4. Complicating matters, since most patients only receive synthetic T4, this can inhibit iodine levels further. If you're willing to experiment, I would suggest taking 50 milligrams of lugol's solution daily. The easiest way to acheive this is by adding 8 drops of 5% Lugol's solution to your daily water intake.To manage most factors critical to staving off hair loss, covering the following areas are most important:
- Reducing insulin producing foods or the impact of such foods on glucose and insulin.
- Controlling over expressed DHT
- Removing heavy metals
- Correcting metabolic conundrums
- Reducing oxidative stress
- Improving glucose metabolism
- Optimizing thyroid function
- Normalizing estrogen metabolism
- Balancing prostaglandins
- Curtailing inflammation
- Balancing intestinal microflora
Taking Curcumin to reduce TGF-B1 and Ecklonia Cava to combat MMP-9 (Matrix
Metalloproteinase), also referred to as Gelatinase B)
stimulation is very important. Both Curcumin & Ecklonia Cava do so much more and will radically reduce inflammation. Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid (with Biotin will increase the body's antioxidant defense system and improve glucose and insulin regulation).
Balancing
out prostaglandins is just as crucial as reducing oxidative
stress. Krill oil is a very convenient way to supplement the
diet to achieve optimal essential fatty acids to improve prostaglandin
balance.
Other
sources of essential fatty acids include Fish oil, Cod liver oil, Borage
Oil, and Black Currant Oil. Note: The only cod liver oil worth purchasing as of this writing is Blue Ice Fermented Cod Liver Oil. The reason is due to "modern" distillation methods which have removed the natural balance of Vitamins once contained in it.
Managing
stress can be difficult, and what follows stress can be neurogenic inflammation. This maybe the most rapid way to lose one's hair. Adding resveratrol along with curcumin can help combat this type of inflammation.
Acetyl
L-Carnitine is very helpful in reducing stress and the associated rise
in cortisol. Keeping a lid on this hormone will help preserve
hair, as cortisol levels are increased due to stress, hair follicle
levels of CRH (Corticotropin releasing hormone) which is a hypothalamic
hormone that is responsible for secretion of Adrenocorticotropic
hormone (ACTH) can spell disaster if it's not controlled. A very useful aid in controlling cortisol is Ashwagandha as Sensoril, a patented form that helps balance out copper levels as well; a potentially critical contributor to hair regrowth.
Physiology Page > > >
Regimen Page > > >