hair loss

Hi Glen, I dont know if u recieved the last post... Since eating alkaline ive suffered hairloss. This has continued til now... I was wondering if the low carbs caused it cause it seems to be a common thing. Im asian and all my friends have good thick hair even when eating all the noodles and rice... i seem to be putting all this effort and this area has not rectified. Maybe im barking up the wrong tree, cause i see mercola suffered from the same program. Could this diet be the cause of it? Do u have thick hair?

Hi Kevin,

Yes, I do have a full head of thick hair and I am 42 years young.  I know how much you like reading research so I will paste some info on hair loss for you.  Take care!

Hair Loss

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Also known as: Alopaecia; Alopecia; Baldness

Description

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Hair Loss refers to the visible loss of Hair due to acceleration in the rate of "dropping" of Hair and its non-replacement by new Hair growth.

These Substances Enhance Hair Growth (if Hair Follicles are still Alive)

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Amino Acids

	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Arginine deficiency.
	Supplemental Cysteine (1,000 - 2,000 mg per day) accelerates Hair Growth and retards Hair Loss - Cysteine prevents Free Radical damage to Hair Follicles: research
	- Anecdotal reports indicate that supplemental Cysteine causes noticeable improvement in Hair Growth - it is also noteworthy that Cysteine comprises 8% of human Hair. - Many people with thin or slow growing Hair report noticeable improvement in Hair growth with 3,000 - 5,000 mg of Cysteine daily, and in some cases the amount of Hair has doubled.
	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Lysine deficiency.
	Tyrosine alleviates Hair Loss (where Hair Loss is caused by Hypothyroidism).

Enzymes

Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) decreases Hair Loss (by preventing the inhibitory action of Superoxide Free Radicals on Nitric Oxide).

Hair Improvers

	Aminexil (applied topically to the Scalp) facilitates Hair Growth, strengthens the Hair and inhibits Hair loss:
	In a recent clinical trial involving 130 men with Hair Loss, Aminexil increased Hair in the growing (anagen) phase by 8%. In a recent clinical trial involving 160 women with Hair Loss, Aminexil caused a decrease in Hair Loss in 66% of women, while 80% experienced stronger, thicker Hair.
	Minoxidil (applied topically) stimulates Hair Growth (including Hair Growth on the crown of the head) in some persons (by stimulating Hair Follicle cells and by dilating small Blood Vessels in the Scalp). research
	Piliel (gel applied topically) increases the growth of Hair in persons afflicted with Hair Loss.
	Superoxide Dismutase Mimetics facilitate Hair Growth (by deactivating Superoxide Free Radicals that otherwise interfere with Hair Growth):
	- Iamin (gel applied topically) possibly prevents and reverses Hair Loss (but not as effectively as its sister product, Tricomin). research - Tempol (applied topically) helps to prevent Hair Loss and increases the rate of Hair (re) Growth in Cancer patients following Radiation Therapy. research - Tricomin (applied topically) helps to prevent and possibly reverse Hair Loss. research   Studies conducted on mice have demonstrated that a single injection of Tricomin during the active Hair growth (anagen) phase prolonged the normal Hair growth cycle by 21 days, caused a significant increase in the size and depth of Hair Follicles, increased the length of the Hair and increased the thickness of the subcutaneous Adipose Tissue layer.
	Viviscal (an extract of marine Polysaccharides derived from the Cartilage of deep sea Fish combined with Silicon) is claimed (by its producers) to be an effective treatment for all forms of Hair Loss.

Lipids

Hair Loss can occur as a result of Linoleic Acid (LA) deficiency. research

Minerals

	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Chlorine deficiency.
	Copper facilitates Hair Growth and is thereby involved in the prevention (and possibly treatment) of Hair Loss (e.g. Hair Loss can occur as a result of Copper deficiency, although caution in this area is warranted as excessive Copper can also cause Hair Loss):
	- Copper stimulates the synthesis of the constituents of the extracellular matrix (e.g. Collagen and other Glycoproteins) in the Dermal Papilla of the Scalp’s Hair Follicles during the anagen phase of Hair Growth.
	Poor Hair growth can be a symptom of Iron deficiency.
	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Potassium deficiency.
	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Silicon deficiency - Silicon supplementation can accelerate the growth of Hair.
	Premature Hair Loss can occur as a result of Zinc deficiency: research
	- Caution: excessive Zinc can also CAUSE Hair Loss.

Neurotransmitters

Nitric Oxide decreases Hair Loss by dilating the small Blood Vessels that supply the Hair Follicles (Minoxidil - discussed below - is believed to be a synthetic form of Nitric Oxide).

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Cyclosporine (orally or topically) increases new Hair Growth in persons afflicted with Hair Loss (as well as increasing Hair Growth in otherwise normal, healthy persons) - it appears to “work” by counteracting the processes that are similar to organ rejection that are involved in Hair Loss (it is believed that the body treats Hair Follicles as foreign bodies in some circumstances and rejects them, leading to Hair Loss: research

- Caution: this use of oral Cyclosporine is not recommended due to the risks associated with Cyclosporine’s side-effects. - Presently, topical (less toxic than oral) forms of Cyclosporine are under development for the treatment or prevention of Hair Loss and initial studies conducted on mice indicate their effectiveness.

Skin Improvers

	Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) (applied topically to the Scalp) may slow the decay of the cells lining Hair Follicles, possibly inhibiting Hair Loss [this is presently just a speculation by a US dermatologist and has yet to be followed up with scientific research].
	Retin-A (applied topically to the Scalp) stimulates Hair Growth and retards Hair Loss (by stimulating Hair Follicles and by increasing Blood Circulation to Hair Follicles). research

Sulfuric Compounds

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) may facilitate Hair Growth (due to its Sulfur content).

Vitamins

	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Biotin deficiency. research
	Hair Loss can occur as a result of Folic Acid deficiency: research
	- Supplemental Folinic Acid (a metabolite of Folic Acid, available in Pharmaceutical Drug form as Leucovorin Calcium [Immunex, Wellcovorin] counteracts the Hair Loss caused by Methotrexate (as Methotrexate blocks the conversion of Folic Acid to endogenous Folinic Acid).
	Inositol is involved in Hair Growth and Hair Loss can occur as a result of Inositol deficiency. research
	Para Aminobenzoic Acid (1 - 3 grams per day) helps to prevent Hair Loss (due to PABA's Antioxidant properties and its ability to stabilize the Cell Membranes of Lysosomes). research
	The Nicotinic Acid form of Vitamin B3 (applied topically to the Scalp) helps to improve Blood Circulation to the Scalp (and may thereby help to retard Hair Loss). Oral administration of 35 mg of Nicotinic Acid per day may also help to retard Hair Loss. research
	Vitamin B5 deficiency may cause Hair Loss (Hair Loss is known to be a symptom of Vitamin B5 deficiency in animals, but this has not been proven (nor disproven) in humans). research
	Vitamin C facilitates Hair growth (by improving Blood Circulation to the Scalp).

Other Factors that may Accelerate Hair Growth

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	Scalp Massage was speculated to stimulate Blood Circulation to the Scalp, possibly leading to improved function of Hair Follicles:
	- However most modern research now refutes this claim.
	Hair Growth occurs during Sleep.

These Foods or Herbs may Promote Hair Regrowth if Follicles are still alive

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Chinese Herbal Formulas

Shen Ying Yang Zhen Tang is claimed to facilitate Hair Growth in persons afflicted with Hair Loss according to trials performed on persons with Hair Loss (ranging from areas as small as 2 cm x 2.5 cm to areas of baldness affecting the whole head) by Traditional Chinese Herbalists. research

Herbs

	Burdock (oil applied topically) is a popular Hair Growth regenerator (according to folklore).
	Equisetum (Horsetail) promotes Hair Growth (due to the Silicon content of Equisetum).
	Gotu Kola stimulates Hair growth (and may therefore be useful in the prevention of Hair Loss) (due to the Asiaticoside content of Gotu Kola). research
	Hops stimulate Hair growth if the Hair follicles are still alive.
	Parsley reputedly prevents Hair Loss (according to folklore).
	Rosemary (oil massaged topically into the Scalp) is believed to prevent Hair Loss (by stimulating the activity of Hair Follicles).
	Sage (infusion applied topically to the Scalp) sometimes stimulates Hair Growth.
	Saw Palmetto (berry consumed orally) retards further Hair Loss in persons afflicted with Male Pattern Baldness (by inhibiting the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-Alpha-Reductase enzyme) and Saw Palmetto (extract applied topically) also retards further Hair Loss in Male Pattern Baldness sufferers. research

Oils: Non-Dietary

	Castor Oil (massaged topically onto the Scalp) facilitates Hair Growth.
	Emu Oil (applied topically) may prevent or treat Hair Loss (it is claimed that Emu Oil "awakens" Hair Follicles that are in their "resting-phase" (due to specific Fatty Acids in Emu Oil):
	- In one study (involving mice) over 80% of Hair Follicles that were in their "resting-phase" were "awoken" and began growing Hair after two weeks of once-a-day topical application of Emu Oil. It is not known if these results are applicable to humans.
	Tea Tree Oil (shampoo applied topically to the Scalp) is claimed to facilitate Hair Growth.

Seeds

Fenugreek Seeds are presently being tested for the treatment of Hair Loss.

Vegetables

Cucumber promotes Hair growth (due to its Silicon content).

Future Treatments for Hair Loss

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Future Drugs

	Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide Antagonists are a promising treatment for Hair Loss:
	- In clinical trials to date, Parathyroid Hormone Related Peptide Antagonists have stimulated Hair regrowth in 100% of Hair Follicles (in mice, human trials have not yet commenced (as at July 1999)).

These Ailments can Cause Hair Loss

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Hair

The processes that underly Hair Loss cause Hair Follicles to produce Vellus Hair rather than Terminal Hair. research

Immune System

Lupus Erythematosus can cause some forms of Hair Loss.

Metabolism

	Systemic Amyloidosis is associated with Hair Loss.
	Hyperthyroidism can cause Hair Loss (50% of persons afflicted with Hyperthyroidism exhibit diffuse Hair Loss in which the Scalp Hair becomes fine and soft, while 1 - 2% of Hyperthyroidism patients suffer from Alopecia Areata).
	Hypothyroidism (underactive Thyroid) may cause Hair loss. research

Nervous System

	Excessive Stress can cause some types of Hair Loss (particularly the Alopecia Areata and Telogen Effluvium forms of Hair Loss):
	- Hair Loss caused by excessive Stress usually occurs 2 - 3 months after the period of Stress and (unless the cause of Stress is repeated) regrowth of Hair normally occurs.

Skin

	One of the underlying causes of Hair loss is believed to be accelerated Aging of the Hair Root, characterized by Fibrosis. Fibrosis causes Hair Roots to become rigid and compresses the Blood Vessels that nourish and stimulate Hair Roots. This leads to weakening of the Hair Roots and subsequent Hair loss.
	Long-standing Psoriasis (when it affects the Scalp) can cause Hair Loss.

These Substances are Implicated in Hair Loss

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Free Radicals

Superoxide Free Radicals are implicated in Hair Loss - they interfere with Nitric Oxide (which is regarded as a Hair Growth Factor) and also appear to issue instructions to Hair Follicles to make the transition from their Hair Growth phase to the Hair Loss phase.

Hormones

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulates the production of excessive amounts of Sebum (which is implicated in excessive Hair Loss).

Immune System Chemicals

Interleukin 1 beta has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of Hair Growth and may therefore be implicated in Hair Loss. research

Lipids

Excessive production of Sebum has been implicated in Hair Loss (by “clogging” the Hair Follicles, it is speculated that Hair Growth is impaired by excessive production of Sebum).

Minerals

	Arsenic accumulates in the Hair and can cause Hair Loss.
	Oral ingestion or topical application of Boric Acid (the Mineral Acid form of Boron) can cause Hair Loss.
	Excessive consumption of Copper can cause premature Hair Loss.
	Excessive exposure to or ingestion of Thallium can cause Hair Loss (approximately 15 - 30 days following its ingestion).
	Excessive consumption of Zinc can cause Hair Loss.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

	Cyclophosphamide (a Cytotoxic Drug often used in Chemotherapy) causes Hair Loss in 20% of Cancer patients taking low dosages of Cyclophosphamide and in 100% of Cancer patients taking high dosages of Cyclophosphamide.
	Doxorubicin can cause Hair Loss.
	Methotrexate often causes Hair Loss (by blocking the conversion of Folic Acid to Folinic Acid, a substance that is essential for Hair Growth).

Vitamins

Excessive consumption of Vitamin A can cause (temporary and reversible) Hair Loss. research

Myths Dispelled

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Jojoba Oil cannot reverse Hair Loss.

Thanx... great info... All i know is if i have alcohol... the next days i have more hair loss. Also if i eat carbs like grains i get constipated and may bring on diffuse hair loss. Insulin resistance could be the cause? I hope it isnt due to all the liver and red meat causing vitamin a and zinc toxicity.

I started to get hairloss in high school. It kept getting worse until I went on the metabolic typing diet and then the hair loss stopped, but I didn't start growing back any hair.

I think the main reason for my hairloss was some sort of nutrient deficiency caused by the damage gluten was doing to my intestines. Because my intestines were damaged, they weren't absorbing certain nutrients that were required for maintaining healthy hair.

Now that I've gone 100% gluten-free and I'm super-strict about even the smallest amounts of cross-contamination from all sources, I actually have noticed my hair growing back a bit which is very exciting.

Great info.  Do you know anything about Revivogen hair and scalp treatment?