Create An Effective Natural Program For Treating Male Pattern Baldness
Over the last several years, there's been a big growth in the amount of data showing the potential of natural treatments to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth in the case of male pattern baldness. So where men have been relying on synthetic drugs to help their condition -- mostly because large companies invested a lot of money both in production of these drugs, and their marketing -- they can now confidently take the natural route. This is an overview of the supplements, herbs, oils and nutrients one should investigate for self treatment of hair loss.
The overall cause of male pattern baldness (MPB) is now well-known: this type of hair loss seen in about a third of the male population is mediated by the androgenic metabolite of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The production of this now-infamous hormone increases later in life for many men, along with changes with the receptors for this hormone at the hair follicles. It is also the case that lower overall levels of "regular" testosterone are related to MPB as well.
With regards to male pattern baldness, DHT binds to receptor sites on certain hair follicles. Though the exact means is not yet known, the hair follicle stops growing hair normally, shrinking and sometimes dying completely.
Regrowth of hair should be addressed on two fronts. First, the overproduction of DHT should be addressed and binding of DHT at follicle receptor sites should be blocked. Second, hair growth should be stimulated with the topical application of nutrients and other natural substances. Some may wish to enhance their regrowth by supplementing with nutrients needed for hair growth as well.
There are now several well-known natural, plant-based products which either reduce testosterone's conversion to DHT, block the binding of DHT to receptor sites, or both. The most well-known are Saw Palmetto Berry extract and Stinging Nettle Root extract. These to herbs work in combination to both block the conversion of testosterone to DHT and prevent it's binding to receptor sites in the scalp . Other herbs and nutrients employed with similar functions include pygeum africanum, pumpkin seed oil, Beta-Sitosterol and Zinc (you'll find many of these nutrients in "healthy prostate" formulas, which can be taken as effective hair-loss prevention supplements). Also, recent research has shown that men should consume Soy Isoflavones, as they are converted by beneficial bacteria in the gut to "equol", a chemical which prevents the binding of DHT at follicle receptor sites.
As for the growth stimulators, Japanese researchers have found that compounds known as polyphenols, found in grape seed extract, red wine and green tea were at least as effective at hair growth stimulation as Rogaine. Further, the most potent of these was found to be extracted from the skins of unripe green apples, high in a particular compound known as procyanidin b-2. Polyphenols have a positive effect on hair growth when consumed as supplements as well.
Other proven-effective natural products include Emu oil, Flax lignans, green tea extract, taurine, coconut oil, and certain essential oils. Emu oil, massaged into the scalp daily has been shown to stimulate hair growth, even in frontal areas (though some folks are not fond of using animal products in this way). Flax lignans (a DHT production inhibitor) can be found as a supplement, or ground flax seeds can be ingested instead. Green tea extract reduces inflammation (suggested as the cause of hair follicle shrinkage), and taurine, an amino acid, inhibits the stiffening of hair follicles exposed to DHT.
In addition to the polyphenols, certain essential oils alone and in combination can be effective at hair growth stimulation. In a Scottish study on alopecia areata patients, a blend of lavender, thyme, cedarwood and rosemary oils based in Jojoba and Grapeseed was found to significantly enhance the regrowth of hair. Many essential oils, including lavender and sage, contain "ketones", molecules that have been found to cause the skin to regenerate. Further, these oils could be enhanced with the addition of rosehip seed oil, which contains compounds similar to Retin-A, a pharmaceutical which has been used in combination with Rogaine for faster effects. Check online for essential oil hair growth recipes.
So how to combine all these into an effective hair growth program? Be sure you're supplementing (or applying) DHT production inhibitors, binding inhibitors, and growth stimulators in the same regimen, and be consistent with your program for at least 3 months. Here's an example: Take 2-4 capsules of a high-quality anti-DHT supplement (usually found as a "healthy prostate" supplement) daily; consume 2 tablespoons each ground flax seed and coconut oil daily; massage essential oil formula into the scalp each evening and leave on overnight. Want to go all out? Add 1 gram daily of taurine, a capsule of polyphenols (green tea, pine bark and grape seed extracts), and massage-in the polyphenol mixture every other night.
There's an incredible wealth of information available online if you'd like to learn more. Get inspired! There's been a lot of positive research indicating that natural supplements and topical formulas can be as effective, if not more so, than prescription or synthetic preparations. And in the long run, these may be healthier for you. Whatever combination of herbs, nutrients and oils you chose, just be sure to stay consistent for several months, and enjoy the process!
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