Which Remedies For Baldness Work?

WHICH REMEDY FOR BALDNESS WORKS?Mechanism - blocks DHT from the androgen
With each remedy for baldness I have split up intoreceptors sites found on the hair follicles.
two categories: "drugs" and "natural". Both remediesEffectiveness - untested. Mixed reviews from people
for baldness are said to work to a degree. The drugson health forums.
(creams and pills) have had various clinical trialsSide-effects - None, but side-effects of the herb
performed on them, but on the downside they areSaw Palmetol can be male breast enlargement.[2]
occasionally susceptible to unwanted side-effects.Availability - over the counter.
The natural remedies for baldness most often haveCost - 90 Capsules 400mg $7.95.CHRYSIN
had no clinical trials attached, merely word of mouthMechanism - increases free testosterone by inhibiting
recommendations, but normally have fewerthe conversion to estrodiol.
side-effects (at least less unwanted ones) reported.Effectiveness - shown to be effective at stopping
If you are unsure on which type to try, it is possiblearomatase in the petridish, but not in the body. Not
to try both (but please get advice from a physicianknown if it helps with losing hair.[5] Not a proven
before doing so).ALLOPATHIC REMEDIES FORremedy for baldness.
BALDNESSSide-effects - none.
Before I start on any allopathic remedies forAvailability - over the counter.
baldness, I have to explain the current thinking inCost - MRM, Chrysin 500, 30 Caps. $14.99.VITAMIN
science behind the causes of losing hair so that theD
mechanism and effectiveness of the drugs are easilyMechanism - binds to the many vitamin D receptors
understood.Men convert excess testosterone into ain the scalp and hair follicle.
more potent form called DHT by the enzyme 5aEffectiveness - shown to dramatically stimulate hair
reductase. The DHT is highly active on the hair folliclefollicle growth in "nude" mice.[6]
receptors, readily latching to them and restrictingSide-effects - none, unless taken over 50
blood flow to the hair. This causes the hair tomicrograms per day.
become thin and miniturized creating the "peach fuzz"Availability - over the counter.
look. There is apparantly a greater quantity of thisCost - 400iu (10 micrograms) 60 capsules
enzyme in the scalp of men who are susceptible to$4.99.VITAMIN B12
male pattern baldness.[1]Women, however, haveMechanism - deficiency causes hair loss.[7]
excess of the enzyme aromatase which convertsEffectiveness - 40% of Americans are deficient. Not
their testosterone into a form of active estrogenproven to remedy hair loss if taken.[8]
called estradiol. The theory is that after women hitSide-effects - None, unless taken over 100 mcg
menopause, their levels of natural estrogen lowersdaily.
letting the testosterone be converted into DHTAvailability - over the counter.
which makes them more susceptible to losing hairCost - 1000 mcg, Tablets $7.99.BIOTIN (VITAMIN
post menopausal. However, that doesn't explain whyB7)
post andropausal men lose hair when they becomeMechanism - increases blood flow to the hair
older and their testosterone levels die down.[1]Well,follicle.[9]
that's the theory, so now lets look at each remedyEffectiveness - it can promote hair growth in high
for baldness in turn and determine its effectivenessdoses, although not a proven remedy for baldness.
and availability as of July 2006. Below is a list of eachSide-effects - none.
remedy for baldness:Rogaine (Minoxidol)Availability - over the counter.
Propecia (Finasteride)ROGAINECost - 300mcg tablets $2.99.IRON AND L-LYSINE
Mechanism - unclear. Seems to open potassium(for women)
availabilty to the hair.Mechanism - deficiencies in both these nutrients have
Effectiveness - average increase of hair per cm2been associated with losing hair in women.[10]
was 18.5% after 48 weeks. 1 to 3 months afterInteracts with zinc and copper.[11]
stopping, hair condition returns to pre-treatmentEffectiveness - proven effective remedy for
levels.Side-effects - Dizziness has been reported.baldness for women with losing hair.[10]
Local irritation, itching, dryness, and erythema maySide-effects - none unless taken over 250 mg daily
occur with use of topical minoxidil, most likely caused(iron).
by the vehicle formulation of alcohol and propyleneAvailability - over the counter.
glycol.[2]Cost - 100 Tablets $7.29FOLLIGEN (copper peptide)
Availability - over the counter.Mechanism - most effective blocker of the
Cost - $10 to $15 per bottle (one month).PROPECIAproduction of both types of 5a reductase
enzyme.[12]
Mechanism - inhibits the 5a reductase enzymeEffectiveness - low copper and zinc enzyme levels
responsible for DHT production.caused hair loss in mice.[13] A topical copper peptide
Effectiveness - A third study of 326 men with mildsolution created near perfect hair rejuvenation in 6
to moderate frontal hair loss found that after 1 year,months in a woman with 10% of her hair at the
finasteride treated men had statistically significantlystart.[14] No studies on the remedy for baldness
higher hair counts on the frontal scalp. ApproximatelyFolligen itself, but some reports of success by
50% of treatedmen and 30% of those who tookwomen on forums.
placebo thought the appearance of their hair hadSide-effects - none.
improved. Hair regrowth was not reported in olderAvailability - over the counter.
men taking 5 mg finasteride.Cost - 2 oz tube, $21.95. 2 months.SOY
Side-effects - A decreased libido, erectileMechanism - promotes the production of the good
dysfunction, or a decreased volume of ejaculateinactive estrogen. Blocks the receptor sites for active
have been reported in less than 2% of patients,estrogen and inhibits 5a reductase.[3]
which in reality is between 0.5% to 1% whenEffectiveness - proven to inhibit the enzyme 5a
compared with placebo.[2]reductase.[15]
Availability - was prescription only. Generic versionSide-effects - none.
now available.Availability - over the counter. A food substance,
Cost - $69.95 for 3 monthsNATURAL REMEDIESnot a remedy for baldness.
FOR BALDNESSCost - ?ROOIBOS TEA
Most natural remedies for baldness also work byMechanism - unclear.
blocking DHT, either by inhibiting the enzyme orEffectiveness - in a 10% lotion called herbasol, 89%
blocking the hair follicle receptor, or providing thehad increased speed of hair growth. 45% saw an
nutrient for the hair follicle receptor which DHTincrease in hair growth. 78% reported no further hair
blocks. There is also an alternative interpretation ofloss.[2]
the "DHT alone causes hair loss " theory. SomeSide-effects - none.
believe that it is too much active estrogen-likeAvailability - over the counter. A food substance,
substances as well as too much DHT that is to blamenot a remedy for baldness except as above.
for prostate cancer and losing hair, and not enoughCost - ?I would personally recommend trying Beta
free testosterone in the body.[3]This soundsSistosterol with a powerful multi-vitamin and mineral
contradictory to the allopathic arguement, andsupplement coupled with the Folligen solution as a
concerning estrogen it is. Some naturopaths say thatgood remedy for
it is all about what blocks the hair follicle receptors. It-----------------[1] Have Scientists Accidentally
is these protein receptors which attract nutrients toDiscovered the Answer to hair loss?
the hair. DHT and estrogen-like pollutants both blockTreatments for hair loss.
the receptor.[3] Apparently, certain bacteria whichGrow Young and Slim
thrive on fat, produce estrogen-like substances[4],Health Loss Education
and there is excess of the aromatase enzyme (whichChrysin: Is It An Effective Aromatase Inhibitor?
turns testosterone into estrogen) present in fat cellsVitamin D3 analogs stimulate hair growth in nude
of obese and balding men. Aging, a high fat diet andmice.
lack of exercise can create too much estrogen andDiet and Nutrition - vitamin B12.
too little testosterone. Even if testosterone is atDo You Need B-12?
normal levels, active estrogen levels can still be wayBiotin and Hair Growth
too high.[3] Although this doesn't explain why womenNutritional factors and hair loss.
with high estrogen levels don't get male patternInteraction of iron, zinc and copper in the body of
baldness.Here is a list of each remedy for baldnessanimals and humans
and nutrient:Beta Sistosterol (from the herb: SawFolligen
Palmetol)Age-related cochlear hair cell loss is enhanced in mice
Chrysin (from the herb: Passionflower)lacking copper/zinc superoxide dismutase
Vitamin DHave Scientists Accidentally Discovered the Answer
Vitamin B12to hair loss?
Biotin (vitamin B7)Regulation of Male Sex Hormone Levels by Soy
Iron and L-lysine (for women)Isoflavones in Rats
Folligen (copper peptide)is an independent researcher in the field of common
Soyailments and alternative medicine. This article was
Rooibos teaBETA SISTOSTEROLtaken from the original: hair loss product.