(From "Alternatives" Volume 10, No.14 Dr. David G. Williams)
Question: I've searched all of my back issues of Alternatives and I can't seem
to find many suggestions concerning products that can help re-grow hair. I've
been taking all the recommended nutritional supplements for hair growth
(inositol, zinc, B vitamins, etc.), but without much luck. I'd be willing to try
most anything if you think it could work. I even tried the essential oils you
wrote about and saw some improvement but obviously could use more. Any suggestions?
J.T.
Orlando, Florida
Answer: Making recommendations of hair-restoration products is about as
confusing as walking in a maze. It's not something I feel comfortable about.
Although I know there's a huge interest, and I'm always looking for baldness
remedies, there haven't been many products I could recommend trying.
The most common form of hair loss, male-pattern baldness, affects over 33
million men in this country alone. A market this large definitely brings out the
scam artists hawking all types of products. And, as such, there are some pretty
outrageous claims being made for hair restoration products, but very few of the
claims are backed up with any viable research. Also, I don't think anyone
product would ever work for everyone. There are simply too many variables as to
why one loses one's hair. Heredity seems to play a major role.
Keep in mind that most hair loss is hormone-related and very often genetic. (For
women with thinning hair, the process is usually not the same. A few women are
affected by male-pattern hair loss, but most often it's a generalized thinning
that is due to a different hormone pathway.) Enzymes convert the hormone
testosterone into another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes
the deterioration of your hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Oftentimes the
hair loss can be slowed or stopped by blocking the conversion of testosterone to
DHT. DHT has also been implicated in the enlargement of the prostate gland as
men get older. It accumulates in the prostate gland and encourages prostate cell
growth. Research has shown that men who don't produce DHT don't develop enlarged
prostates. Consequently, several products that help prostate conditions may also
be of help in reducing hair loss. One of the most popular of these is saw
palmetto.
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) works by blocking the formation of DHT. Research
has shown that, in about 60 percent of the cases, taking 320 milligrams a day of
saw palmetto extract can result in hair growth. (J Altern Complement Med
02;(8):143-52)
The same may be true with the herb pygeum (Pygeum africanum). It also blocks the
conversion of testosterone to DHT. And while most of the research for this herb
has been focused on prostate treatment, it would be reasonable to assume that
taking 160 milligrams to 320 milligrams a day of pygeum could also help with
hair restoration.
Obviously a good multi-vitamin/mineral should be part of your plan. Studies
have shown that low iron levels and even a B12 deficiency can contribute to
premature hair loss. And you might want to add a gram (1,000 milligrams) a day
of the amino acid lysine. A lack of lysine has also been implicated in the loss
of hair.
--
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