Have A ‘Good Hair’ Day

References

Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the human body: the average rate of growth is about one-half inch a month. Optimal hair growth occurs from age 15 to 30, slows down from age 40 to 50, and is progressively lost by about age 50. Most men lose hair to some degree by age 35 and are more likely than women to lose their hair. The prognosis for encouraging hair growth is favorable if treatment begins before the growth stops altogether.¹ Fortunately, there are many nutritional compounds that support healthy hair.

As with many health conditions, it starts with the antioxidants A-C-E. Vitamin A protects hair follicle cells from free radical damage;² deficiency causes dry hair, and taking large amounts can cause hair loss. One of vitamin C’s major functions is to help produce and maintain healthy collagen, the connective tissue type found within hair follicles. Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant and protects both the cells found within follicles and cells in nearby blood vessels.³

Vitamin E helps to maintain the integrity of cell membranes of hair follicles and acts as an antioxidant.⁴

The B complex vitamins are also important nutrients. Reduced levels of thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin and pantothenic acid can contribute to the undernourishment of hair-follicle cells.⁵ A decrease in folic acid may contribute to decreased hair-follicle cell division and growth; signs of folic acid deficiency include anemia, apathy, fatigue and graying hair.⁶ Folic acid is also essential for the maintenance of heal thy methionine levels in the body. Biotin is necessary for proper metabolism, which supports the nourishment of hair follicles.⁷ Researchers from Harvard University suggest biotin is one of the most important nutrients for preserving hair strength, texture and function.⁸

Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) has been used to stimulate hair growth and reduce the graying of hair that is associated with nutrient deficiency and/or stress.⁹ Basic minerals are also critical in this area. A fraction of the body’s calcium stimulates cell mediators that act on cell-membrane phospholipids in hair-follicle cells.¹⁰ Iodine supports proper thyroid function and suboptimal thyroid function can lead to abnormal hair growth.¹¹ Selenium is also necessary for iodine metabolism.¹² Case studies have indicated selenium deficiency can lead to cancer, heart disease and poor hair growth.¹³ Zinc is essential for DNA and RNA production, which, in turn, leads to normal follicle-cell division. Zinc is also responsible for helping to stabilize cell-membrane structures and assists in the breakdown and removal of superoxide radicals.¹⁴ Topical applications of zinc have been shown to reduce the hair loss activity of 5-AR type II.¹⁵

Sulfur is present in abundance in the keratinized cells of hair.¹⁶ Chemically, sulfur has the ability to form strong bonds that contribute to the strength of healthy hair.¹⁷ Sulfur-containing amino acids such as L-methionine and L-cysteine support hair strength by providing adequate amounts of sulfur to hair cells. There is evidence that high-sulfur proteins are missing in the hair of patients who are losing hair.¹⁸ The amino acid L-lysine may also support healthy hair by inhibiting 5- alpha-reductase type II, an enzyme linked to male pattern baldness.¹⁹

Botanicals may also provide hair support. Horsetail (Equisetum arvense or E. hymale) is an excellent natural source of cysteine and the minerals selenium and silica, which may enhance hair growth.²⁰ In fact, botanist James A. Duke, Ph.D., recommends adding a teaspoon of dried horsetail to herbal teas as a natural approach to hair loss.²¹

Men taking a combination of saw palmetto extract (200 mg) and betasitosterol (50 mg) for four months had greater scalp hair growth compared to a placebo group. ²² The Chinese botanical He Shou Wu (Polygoni multiflori) has shown promise as a hair and color restorative that is capable of inducing terminal hair growth.²³

Gene Bruno is the Dean of Academics for Huntington College of Health Sciences (HCHS). HCHS is an accredited distance learning institutions offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as diploma program in nutrition. www.HCHS.edu 

References

1 Janowiak JJ, Ham C. “A practitioner’s guide to hair loss. Part 1-History, biology, genetics, prevention, conventional treatments and herbals.” Altern Complement Ther. June 2004;10(3):135-143.

2 Ross A, Ternus M. “Vitamin A as a hormone: Recent advances in understanding the actions of retinal, retinoic acid, and beta-carotene.” J Am Dietetic Assoc. 1993;93:1285-1290.

3. Niki E. “Action of ascorbic acid as a scavenger of active and stable oxygen radicals.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1991;54(suppl):1119S-1124S.

4. Niki E et al. “Interaction among vitamin C, vitamin E, and B-carotene.” Am J Clin Nutr. 1995;62(supplement):1322S-1326S.

5. Janowiak JJ, Ham C. “A practitioner’s guide to hair loss. Part 2-Diet, supplements, vitamins, minerals, aromatherapy, and psychosocial aspects.” Altern Complement Ther. August 2004;10(4):200-205.

6. Groff J, Groper S. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Thompson Learning, 2000.

7. Knowles J. “The mechanism of biotin-dependent enzymes.” Ann Rev Biochem. 1989;58:195-221.

8. Doss L. “Hair breakthrough offers hope to millions.” J Longevity. 2000;6:4:18-20.

9. Cline DJ. “Changes in hair color.” Clin Dermatol. 1988;62:295-303.

10. Rasmussen H. “The calcium messenger system.” N Engl J Med. 1986;314:1164-1170.

11. Taurog A. “Hormone synthesis: Thyroid iodine metabolism.” In: Ingbar S, Braverman L, eds. Werner’s The Thyroid. Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1986:53-97.

12. Berry M, Larson P. “The role of selenium in thyroid hormone action.” Endocrinol Rev. 1992;13:207-219.

13. Yannicelli S, Hambidge K, Picciano M. “Decreased selenium intake and low plasma selenium concentrations leading to clinical symptoms in a child with propionic acidaemia.” J Inherited Metab Dis. 1992;15:261-268.

14. Anon P. “Role of zinc in enzyme regulation and protection of essential thiol groups.” Nutr Rev. 1986;44:309-311.

15. Stamatiadis D et. al. “Inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase activity in human skin by zinc and azelaic acid.” Br J Dermatol. 1988;119:627-632.

16. Groff J, Groper S. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism, 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Thompson Learning, 2000.

17. Shapiro J, Price VM. “Hair regrowth: Therapeutic agents.” Derm Clin. 1988;16:341-356.

18. Balch P, Balch J. Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 3rd ed. New York: Penguin Putnam, 2000.

19. Anwar R et al. “Male pseudohemaphroiditism resulting from a novel mutation in the human steroid 5 alpha-reductase type 2 gene (SRD5A2).” Mol Pathol. 1997:50:51-52.

20. Piekos R, Paslawska S. “Studies on the optimum conditions of extraction of silicon species from plants with water.” Planta Med. 1975;27:145-150.

21. Duke JA. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 1997:80.

22. Prager N et al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-a-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.” J Altern Complement Med. 2002;8(2):143-152.

23. Janowiak JJ, Ham C. “A practitioner's guide to hair loss. Part 1-History, biology, genetics, prevention, conventional treatments and herbals.” Altern Complement Ther. June 2004;10(3):135-143.

Share this article: Email, Slashdot, Digg, Del.icio.us, Yahoo!MyWeb, Windows Live Favorites, Furl
Add this article feed to: RSS, My Yahoo, Newsgator, Bloglines