What are the natural therapies for the growth of the hair?
Hair loss is a disorder with significant adverse psychological effects, including low confidence, and negative influence on social interactions; 52% of women and 28% of men report being affected by their alopecia [3]. As a result, patients who do not see significant improvements in hair growth with conventional therapy often turn to CAM.
Hair loss is usually triggered by many causes, including age.
Let's have a look at these first, then we'll review natural remedies supported by medical research.
In men, a common cause is alopecia areata [1] which is thougth to be caused by the immune system attacking hair follicles. Alopecia areata can occur at any age, but is most often seen in teenagers and young adults. Modern medicine has no cure for this condition.
The most common cause of hair loss is the male-pattern hair loss (MPHL), or androgenic alopecia. This condition mainly affects the top and front of the scalp where hair loss is prominent, whereas in females, the female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), occurs usually as a thinning of the hair.
Research suggest that MPHL occurs as a combination of genetics and the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which seems to inhibit hair growth in those hair follicle.
Although hair follicles were previously thought to be permanently gone in areas of complete hair loss, they are more likely dormant, as recent studies have shown the scalp contains the stem cell progenitor cells from which the follicles arose. [2]
Because genetics is a common factor (eg. if your father has MPHL), when hair follicles become more sensitive to DHT, hair loss usually occur. This is often triggered by age, but stress related hormones like cortisol seems to also contribute to trigger DHT sensitivity.
Other factors include: environmental pollution, medications, nutrition and lifestyle.
Considering that more research is needed to find a generic treatment for androgenic alopecia, here are some results that everyone could check:
1. Stress | Stress is everywhere, and we cannot possibly eliminate it, but more importantly we can improve the way we cope with it. By adopting a positive attitude in life, and reducing our fears and desires, we can improve our response to stress, and reduce its hormonal effects on our body. For example Yoga, Tai Chi, nutrition and lifestyle can help us to go in this direction.
Closely related with stress is the quality of sleep (see melatonin). By adopting a regulated lifestyle, we help our body to improve stress response, and our liver to detox and recharge our body during the night.
2. Nutrition | There are many elements that can reduce the effects of alopecia, but again this depends on each individual. Optimum health needs a good balance of nutrition, lifestyle and psychology. This is because to improve our nutrition we need motivation, and we need to adopt a balanced lifestyle so that optimum health become sustainable in the long term. [4]
Caffeine is an alkaloid and functions as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, promoting cellular proliferation. In vitro studies report that caffeine counteracts the inhibitory effects of testosterone on hair growth, promotes hair shaft elongation, and stimulates hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation [3]. Caffeine also downregulates testosterone-induced transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 expression, a hair growth inhibitor, and increases expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, a hair growth promoter. Female hair follicles appear to have a higher sensitivity to caffeine. it's worth notice that Tea and dark chocolate also contain caffeine with 11mg/100g and 43mg/100 respectively.
Capsaicin is an active component of chili peppers, and research found that Capsaicin cream 0.075% applied daily to affected scalp in patients with extensive androgenic alopecia, resulted in growth of vellus hairs at day [3]
Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, has been used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory agent. Curcumin downregulates cyclooxygenase-2, lipoxygenase, and inducible nitric oxide synthetase enzymes and inhibits nuclear factor-kB signaling, thereby decreasing proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1. Additionally, TNF-α and IL-1 are involved in follicular regression. Curcumin also has antioxidant, antimicrobial, antineoplastic, and antiandrogenic properties. [3]
Garlic belongs to the Allium genus along with onions, scallions, shallots, leeks, and chives. These plants produce organosulfur compounds, which have antimicrobial, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. [3]
Melatonin is a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland that regulates mammalian circadian rhythm. Melatonin is also an antioxidant synthesized in hair follicles. The first study to report the effects of melatonin on hair growth compared topical melatonin 0.1% solution daily for 6 months in 40 patients with diffuse alopecia; efficacy was evaluated by trichograms to assess anagen and telogen hair. After treatment with melatonin, patients with diffuse alopecia had a significant increase in anagen hair at the occiput versus the frontal hairline. [3]
Procyanidins are a class of flavonoids found mainly in plants, including apples, barley, cocoa, cinnamon, grapes, and tea, described to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifungal capabilities. [3]
Pumpkin is a member of the squash family native to North America. Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) contains phytosterols known to inhibit 5α-reductase, preventing the conversion of testosterone to active dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [3]
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is an aromatic evergreen herb with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. Rosemary also enhances microcapillary perfusion. [3]
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a B-complex vitamin and cofactor for carboxylase enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis, amino acid catabolism, gluconeogenesis, and mitochondrial function in hair root cells. Deficiency causes various symptoms, including alopecia, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, candidiasis, ataxia, seizures, hypotonia, developmental delay, and hearing and vision loss. [3]
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble molecule that plays an important role in calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, as well as immune regulation. Vitamin D dysregulation may contribute to autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and multiple sclerosis. [3]
Zinc is an essential trace element involved in enzyme catalysis, protein folding, and gene expression. Signs of deficiency include growth retardation, delayed puberty, diarrhea, alopecia, glossitis, nail dystrophy, and decreased immunity among others. Low zinc levels have been identified in patients with androgenic alopecia. [3]
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopecia_areata
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_hair_loss[3] https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/492035
[4] https://www.fempton.com/uxton/component/rsmembership/view-membership-details/7%20
