Hair loss

[wakeal]

Hi Roy,
Please let me know what is the best remedy for "alopecia totales"
appreciate your help.
thanks

[Roy Collins]

Wakel; 95% of all hair loss is due to Androgenetic alopecia, which affects both men and women although men experience a much greater degree of loss. In women it appears as diffuse hair loss occurring over most of the scalp but in the pattern of loss will more typically start with a receding hairline which then advances to the top of the head. Hair growth and loss is controlled largely by the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is converted from the enzyme testosterone by the enzyme 5 alpha reductase.

Individuals with a deficiency of 5 alpha reductase do not develop androgenetic alopecia because the body is not capable of converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone.

If an individual has androgenetic alopecia the overall levels of testosterone may be NORMAL, however the activity of the 5 alpha reductase enzyme is greater than normal which results in increased amounts of dihydrotestosterone in the hair follicle. This causes the hair shafts to narrow producing progressively finer hairs with each new growth cycle until eventually the hairs become transparent and stop emerging.

The reason for this in macrobiotic terms lies with yin dominant foods/drinks (excess fats, sugars, dairy, alcohol, and liquids more precisely). Since Alopecia totales is when all hair is completely lost – this means that yin has been taken in the past – this “past” may have been due to the diet and lifestyle of parents/and or grandparents, and now has become part of the inherited DNA. Not an easy cycle to break, but, in theory, and from medical research, it is possible (through various drugs, botanicals, and topical solutions) to block much of the activity of the 5 alpha reductase enzyme – much in the same way dietetics, vitamin and enzyme therapy is used to help increase production of the enzymes thyroxine for slow thyroid or increase insulin stimulation within the spleen/pancreas of diabetics, etc.

Of course the macrobiotic diet is one such tool that may offer “control” and a better regulation of over active 5 alpha reductase enzyme (as well as other enzymes) but frequently the process has gone beyond the limit of control and the fate of baldness may very well win out (look at some pictures of modern macrobiotic “counselors” to validate this assertion).

Popular drugs such as Rogaine, Regaine, and Headway all contain Minoxidil, which acts to inhibit the production of 5 alpha reductase enzyme via topical treatment. I’m still not clear on the side effects of this drug. Maybe a web search will help you here.
Propecia is another drug that is taken internally and attempts the same – to reduce 5 alpha reductase enzyme activity. This tablet is a steroid compound which may in the long run have serious side effects on kidneys. You should research this one as well. There are some other drugs that have been used successfully for acne that seem to work well for moderate hair re-growth. All should be thoroughly investigated.

From the botanical side, the Saw Palmetto berry has been found to have anti-androgen compounds. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by blocking 5 alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto blocks receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. I would suggest to buy the whole berries and grind them yourself and make a tea by boiling 1 Tablespoon to 1 quart water for 15 minutes (on simmer) 3 times daily. You can add a little roasted brown rice to the mix.

All of the studies that have been performed to date show that Saw palmetto is an effective antiandrogen and has shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment of benign prostratic disease. Benign prostratic disease is similar to Androgenetic alopecia since it depends on the production of dihydrotestosterone. It acts in a similar way that propecia does.
Here is but one company that uses Saw Palmetto berry in their products (I have no personal experience with this company so you are on your own): http://store.yahoo.com/folica/hairgenstark.html
Maybe it is worth a try along with diet, etc.

Some macrobiotic practitioners recommend using more seaweed in the diet and eating more neutral grains like boiled brown rice and barley together (3 to 1 ratio) and aduki rice with a little gomassio. Miso soup should also be used daily. A side dish of burdock root with hiziki would also be helpful. Beverages should be brown rice tea, kombu tea or grain coffee. You can alternate these for best results.
Of course avoid extreme foods, especially meat, fatty fish, dairy, eggs, fruit, alcohol, vinegar, spices, nightshade plants, carbonated drinks, and concentrated sugars and white flour products.
Externally you can apply ginger/sesame oil once a day which should be massaged or brushed into the scalp vigorously to help stimulate the scalp. Caution: Do not use hot ginger compress on the head.

I hope this helps.
In peace, Roy

here is but one company that specializes in this but I have no personal experience with this and can't make a guarantee: