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Clin Exp Dermatol 2002 Jul;27(5):396-404
Nutritional factors and hair loss.
The literature reveals what little is known about nutritional factors and hair loss. What we do know emanates from studies in protein-energy malnutrition, starvation, and eating disorders. In otherwise healthy individuals, nutritional factors appear to play a role in subjects with persistent increased hair shedding. Hard, 40 years ago, demonstrated the importance of iron supplements in nonanaemic, iron-deficient women with hair loss. Serum ferritin concentrations provide a good assessment of an individual's iron status. Rushton et al. first published data showing that serum ferritin concentrations were a factor in female hair loss and, 10 years later, Kantor et al. confirmed this association. What level of serum ferritin to employ in subjects with increased hair shedding is yet to be definitively established but 70 micro g/L, with a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (< 10 mm/h), is recommended. The role of the essential amino acid, l-lysine in hair loss also appears to be important. Double-blind data confirmed the findings of an open study in women with increased hair shedding, where a significant proportion responded to l-lysine and iron therapy. There is no evidence to support the popular view that low serum zinc concentrations cause hair loss. Excessive intakes of nutritional supplements may actually cause hair loss and are not recommended in the absence of a proven deficiency. While nutritional factors affect the hair directly, one should not forget that they also affect the skin. In the management of subjects with hair loss, eliminating scaling problems is important as is good hair care advice and the need to explain fully the hair cycle. Many individuals reduced their shampooing frequency due to fear of losing more hair but this increases the amount seen in subsequent shampoos fuelling their fear of going bald and adversely affecting their quality of life.
Transgenic Res 2002 Jun;11(3):241-7
Inducible, reversible hair loss in transgenic mice.
Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss. Although the morphological changes associated with telogen effluvium have been well characterized, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown, and no animal models have been developed. We report here that inducible transgenic mice expressing high levels of the transcription factor, tTA (tetracycline transactivator), plus a reporter luciferase gene, show a reversible hair loss phenotype. Skin of these mice exhibits an increase in the number of hair follicles at the telogen phase, but a decreased number of follicles at the anagen phase. These changes resemble skin pathology seen in patients with telogen effluvium, which suggests that the inducible transgenic mice may be useful as a model for this disorder. Moreover, since overexpression of several other transgenes failed to cause skin pathology, the present findings also indicate types of molecular abnormalities that may cause reversible hair loss.
Ther Umsch 2002 May;59(5):233-7
Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata is a frequent cause of hair loss. The origin of disease is not fully understood. However there are indications for a T-cell mediated autoimmune process. Genetic, immunologic and psychologic factors are important for the outbreak of disease. Most patients show localized patches of acute hair loss, where regrowth is observed spontaneously or with simple topical treatment within few months. In up to 15% of patients severe forms of disease can develop with total scalp (alopecia totalis) or scalp and body hair loss (alopecia universalis). There are only few known risk factors for development of a severe form. Although spontaneous remission is possible in these cases, it occurs rarely and treatment is difficult. Multifocal alopecia areata responds to intravenous high-dose corticosteroids. Topical immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone (DPC) or PUVA therapy may be effective in longstanding and widespread disease. The unpredictable course of disease is a major handicap for clinical trials and treatment recommendations. Contact of patients with self-help organisations may be of help for coping with the disease.
Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax 2001 Nov 29;90(48):2087-93
Photographic documentation of the effectiveness of 1 mg. oral finasteride in treatment of androgenic alopecia in the man in routine general practice in Switzerland
A 6-month, prospective, open, multicenter cohort study in 265 men with male pattern hair loss treated with oral finasteride 1 mg/day (Propecia) was conducted in the office of 52 Swiss dermatologists. The patient's head was placed in a stereotactic device, and Polaroid photographs were taken of the vertex and frontal areas. Endpoints used to determine treatment efficacy were patient self-assessment, investigator clinical assessment, and blinded assessment of the serial Polaroid photographs by a panel of 2 experienced dermatologists. Significant improvements were stated on the photographs by both clinical investigators and the blinded expert panel: 54% of patients showed improvement of hair growth at 6 months of treatment in the vertex region, and 48.7% in the frontal area. No progression of hair loss was found in an additional 38% (vertex) and 47% (frontal region), respectively. Clinical investigator and expert assessment yielded comparable results. Independently, patient self-assessment and investigator clinical assessment confirmed the progress. Propecia was well-tolerated, and no significant safety concerns were identified during the study. The photographic method was well accepted by the physicians. The office-based Polaroid photographic system allowed reliable assessment of change during treatment of male pattern hair loss with Propecia. The data generated in this manner corresponded to the antecedent results of the multicenter, placebo-controlled studies with oral finasteride.
Seeing is believing. Learning by anecdotal observations is an old way of science.
It is not reasonable to stop taking daily food and herbal supplements altogether just because of scietific/clinical support: our life must go on until we have better understandings of food and herb. There are two merits that Hair Million enjoys: Firstly, Hair Million is relatively inexpensive, and secondly, it is made only of edible herbs that are known to be safe when consumed in regular quantities.
Propecia is a clincally validated prescription medication for hair loss.
DHEA has been suggested to provide numerous potential benefits. DHEA (or dehydroepiandrosterone) is converted into androgens (male hormones)
or estrogens (female hormones) in the cells.
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