8.

Minimizing Hair Loss

You already know that Super Nutrition can make a big difference in many areas of your life. And, believe it or not, balanced nutrition really can help slow or stop the progression of hair loss. You can keep a full head of hair when you know the right steps to take. In fact, even if thinning has set in, there’s a lot you can do to minimize further loss. Research is continuously shedding new light on the causes of hair loss in men, leading to the development of effective new treatments. Armed with a nutritional arsenal, you can prevent or reverse hair loss.

An estimated 30 million men experience loss or thinning of their hair as they age. About the same number are affected by impotence. Though the two are not related, what they have in common is that hormonal factors feature heavily in their cause. In this chapter, we’ll look at these and other causes of hair loss in men and explore some nutritional, medical, and other approaches to minimizing the problem.

COMMON TYPES OF HAIR LOSS

Hairs fall out and are replaced by new ones on a regular basis. Loss of 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal. But problems result when lost hairs aren’t replaced right away, aren’t replaced at all, or are replaced with inferior quality hair.

There are three phases of hair growth: the anagen, catagen, and telogen phases. The anagen phase is the growing phase, normally lasting two to six years. The catagen phase is a transitional one that should last only about three weeks. Hairs that have entered the telogen, or resting phase, remain dormant in the scalp for two to four months, and then are pushed out by a new hair growing in the same root. In men with hair loss problems, however, the telogen phase is extended, lasting for several years—or for the remainder of their lives.

MALE PATTERN BALDNESS

In the form of hair loss known as male pattern baldness (MPB), or alopecia hereditaria, normal hairs called terminal hairs are replaced by fine, nearly invisible vellus hairs. Over the years, more and more terminal hairs are replaced by these barely visible vellus hairs, as the hair root decreases in size. As a result, a man with this type of thinning hair may appear to be bald. This is not the case, however, r, because in true baldness, the roots of the hair have withered and the hair follicles have died.

Male pattern baldness accounts for about 90 percent of hair loss cases. It affects approximately half of all males in Western industrialized countries. MPB is a form of androgenetichairloss, meaning that it is caused by genes and male hormones. This kind of hair loss is believed to be caused by a “baldness gene” that is passed down by one parent. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a metabolite of testosterone, is also thought to be a primary factor in shrinking hair follicles and subsequent hair loss. As we discussed in Chapter 5, DHT levels increase with age, and this increase has been associated with prostate problems. That hormones are somehow involved with hair loss in males is certain because castrated men never lose their hair. But castration is obviously too extreme an alternative to prevent hair loss!

Male pattern baldness first shows up as a receding hair line that can manifest at a very early age—sometimes shortly after a man has reached sexual maturity. It has been found that balding men are deficient in the enzyme aromatase. When this enzyme is present in sufficient quantity, follicles grow hair. When there’s not enough aromatase, follicles “turn off,” stopping hair growth. The pattern in MPB is that hair loss is confined to the top of the head, although we still do not know why it’s limited to this particular area.

Alopecia hereditaria (MPB) is just one of about three dozen different types of alopecia, all characterized by partial or total hair loss. Alopecia universalis is loss of hair all over the body. Alopecia areata is a sudden loss of hair in patches on the head, beard, and other parts of the body.

COMMON CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

Among the possible causes of the various types of hair loss are:

• Acute illness

• Diabetes

• Drugs

• Excessive vitamin A intake

• Heavy metal toxicity

• High fever

• Iron deficiency

• Parasites

• Poor circulation

• Poor diet

• Radiation

• Skin disease

• Stress

• Sudden weight loss

• Thyroid disease

• Tight connective tissue in scalp

• Trauma

• Vitamin deficiency

Drugs that can cause hair loss include chemotherapeutic agents; antibiotics, including penicillin, sulfonamides, and mycin; heparin, an anticoagulant, or blood thinner; and carbimazole, a drug for the treatment of hyperthyroidism.

While poor circulation may contribute to hair loss, it is not a necessary and sufficient condition to cause the problem on its own. If it were, stroke victims would lose their hair, hair transplants wouldn’t work, and bald men wouldn’t bleed when cut on the scalp. Nevertheless, activities aimed at improving circulation—massage, exercise, and the use of a slant board for fifteen minutes per day—can be useful adjunctive therapies when paired with other corrective measures. It may be worth it to try some of these possible therapies to see if you have any positive results.

UNSUSPECTED CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

In addition to the factors listed on page 143, there are several causes of hair loss that doctors overlook. These include B-vitamin deficiencies, hypothyroidism, and parasites. If you have eliminated other possible causes of hair loss, you may want to be examined by a health-care professional to see if any of the following problems are involved.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies that can lead to hair loss include insufficient inositol and para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). These B vitamins protect hair follicles. When animals are put on a diet lacking inositol, their hair falls out. When it’s added to the diet, their hair grows back. Hair loss for male animals is twice that of females, indicating a greater need for inositol among males. Also, a deficiency of the B vitamin biotin can cause hair loss.

PABA not only protects hair follicles, it has also been found effective in restoring natural hair color. When deprived of this vitamin, the hair of laboratory animals turns gray. Prematurely graying hair can also be caused by a deficiency of the amino acid phenylalanine, which is enzymatically related to melanin, the hair color pigment. Biotin, folic acid, and pantothenic acid can be helpful in restoring hair color, as well. My male clients absolutely swear by a special biotin product that Uni-Key (1—800—888—4353) now carries.

 

For your hair’s sake, it’s also vitally important to supply your body with nutrients that will support the thyroid gland. If the thyroid is underactive—and almost 40 percent of Americans are walking around with underactive thyroids—this can lead to hair loss. Hypothyroidism is a major factor in hair loss that should not be overlooked.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism, the underproduction of the hormones of the thyroid gland, is the underlying cause of many recurring illnesses. The condition may be hereditary or it may result from an iodine deficiency. According to Hal Huggins, D.D.S., there is also evidence that hypothyroidism is connected to silver/mercury dental amalgams. In the elderly, the condition is often mistaken for senility.

Hypothyroidism is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Constipation

• Dry, scaly skin

• Dull, dry hair

• Fatigue

• Hair loss

• Impaired intellectual capacity

• Impotence

• Loss of appetite

• Low sperm count

• Myxedema (drooping, swollen eyes)

• Night blindness

• Numbness, tingling in extremities

• Recurrent infections

• Sensitivity to cold

• Slurred speech

Iodine is an element with a very high specific gravity. The higher the specific gravity of an element, the stronger the gastric juices must be in order to extract and assimilate the element. The strength of gastric juice is reflected in pH, which, as you remember, is regulated by electrolytes. Without the trace minerals needed for electrolyte formation, pH balance is upset and gastric secretions are not strong enough to utilize iodine, even when it is supplied amply in the diet. Clearly, then, it’s not enough to include more iodine in your diet—you also need to take in the electrolytes that are so important to proper thyroid function.

Sea vegetables are good for your hair and for healthy thyroid function. Kelp and dulse are both excellent sources of organic iodine, and all sea vegetables are rich sources of other trace minerals that help keep your electrolytes sparking.

A simple way to test yourself for an underactive thyroid gland is to take your armpit temperature first thing in the morning. This method was developed by Broda Barnes, M.D., a heart specialist and endocrinologist. Place a shake-down-type thermometer next to your bed before retiring. Upon awakening, and before rising, place it under your arm and lie still for fifteen minutes. A reading under 97.6°F may indicate of hypothyroidism. Repeat the procedure on several mornings and take an average of the readings. If it is 97°F or less you may want to consider taking a raw thyroid glandular. Armour thyroid is recommended, although it’s available only with a prescription.

Treating Hypothyroidism

The amino acids tyrosine and phenylalanine can be useful in treating hypothyroidism. Tyrosine is a precursor of thyroid hormones. It is derived from phenylalanine, which is also a precursor of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. Take up to three 500-milligram capsules of phenylalanine daily, or supplement with tyrosine, four to ten capsules taken daily in two or three equal doses. Make sure you take your tyrosine on an empty stomach.

The family of B vitamins improves cellular oxygenation and energy. These nutrients are extremely important for proper thyroid function. Because not all of the B vitamins in the naturally occurring compound have been synthesized, I recommend adding foods that are rich in these vitamins to the diet, in addition to taking a B complex supplement. Brewer’s yeast and whole grains are excellent sources of the B vitamins.

If you have hypothyroidism, it’s imperative that you avoid fluoride and chlorine because they block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland. Purifying drinking water through reverse osmosis or distillation will remove both fluoride and chlorine. However, when you drink water that’s purified or distilled, remember to replenish the minerals using a liquid electrolyte formula such Trace-Lyte (see Chapter 3).

Certain foods contain a chemical known as goitrogen that blocks iodine absorption by the thyroid gland. These foods include:

• Broccoli

• Brussels sprouts

• Cabbage

• Cauliflower

• Kale

• Peanuts

• Rutabaga

• Soybeans

• Turnips

• Watercress

Cooking foods inactivates goitrogen, but you should still be careful to eat the foods listed above only in moderation. Your diet must also contain adequate protein, because a protein deficiency can inhibit thyroid activity.

Be aware that sulfa drugs and antihistamines can depress thyroid function and so should be used only under a doctor’s order.

Parasites

Parasites are not well recognized as a cause of hair loss. Medical texts list diarrhea and malabsorption as symptoms of parasitic infection. But it doesn’t end there. The fact is, any degenerative disease can be associated with parasites because they create a mucous overlay in the gut that blocks absorption, so we’re unable to fully utilize the nutrients we take in.

Progressive, contemporary researchers are finding that parasites can cause a wide array of problems that include:

• Allergies

• Anemia

• Constipation

• Irritability / nervousness

• Joint pain

• Muscle cramps

• Digestive complaints

• Disturbed sleep

• Gas, bloating

• Irritable bowel syndrome

• Overall fatigue

• Persistent skin problems

• Post-nasal drip

• Teeth grinding

Parasites can contribute to hair loss because of their immunosuppressive effect. Any man experiencing hair loss who also has one or more of the above symptoms and has ruled out other causes of hair loss may want to investigate the possibility of parasitic infection.

Many Americans erroneously believe that parasites are only a problem for people who travel to exotic places. But parasites are a here-and-now problem. This fact was brought home in a research paper that appeared in June 1994 in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The paper summarized findings from a study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, which showed that in 1987, and again in 1991, stool examinations by state diagnostic laboratories revealed parasites in 20 percent of all samples.

Among the most common of the microscopic organisms found in the study were Giardia lamblia, Entamoebacoli, and Entamoeba histolytica. Since these parasites were identified using standard stool analysis techniques, we may assume that the actual incidence of parasitic infection is even greater than the study suggests, for there is a 60-percent chance of missing parasites even when three consecutive standard stool analyses are performed. It takes more specialized testing techniques to reduce the number of false negative results. Even then, there is still a good chance of error. Parasites tend to hide in the lining (lumen) of the intestines, and they live in other organs and in the blood, as well.

The problem of parasites started making the headlines in the 1990s in connection with the Desert Storm veterans. They came to our attention again in 1993, when the microscopic organism, Crytosporidium, found its way into the city water supply in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Four hundred thousand people developed stomach ailments and diarrhea, and 104 people died. The following year, the presence of the same organism in New York City’s water supply was documented on NBC’s television show, Dateline.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Cryptosporidium is currently the leading cause of waterborne illness in the United States, appearing in 80 percent of our surface water and 28 percent of drinking water samples. It poses a serious threat, especially to individuals with immunosuppressive disorders who can die from exposure to just a few of these organisms. Another prevalent water-borne parasite is Giardia lamblia.Chlorination does not kill either of these organisms. However, in November 1994, the EPA required all urban water systems to test for both Crystosporidium and Giardia lamblia.

Parasites can be brought to our shores by international travelers and immigrants. They can spread through restaurants where immigrants are frequently employed in food preparation, and day-care centers where workers come in contact with contaminated feces. Some parasites are sexually transmitted, some are passed on to us by our pets, and others are carried by “vectors” such as mosquitoes.

Preventing and Treating Parasitic Infection

The problem of parasitic infection is much more widespread than we’ve suspected. Most physicians don’t expect to find parasites and therefore don’t look for them. Even if they did, parasites are hard to find. The problem, therefore, tends to be underdiagnosed—and also misdiagnosed, since parasite symptoms tend to mimic other diseases. To rule out parasitic infection, you’ll want to find a doctor who uses a lab that does either the purged stool analysis or the mucosal swab test, as these are more reliable than the standard stool analysis.ⁱ If the problem is correctly diagnosed, it’s often treated with drugs such as Flagyl, Vermox, lodiquinol, and Atabrine. These may cause side effects that include nausea, mental disturbances, and liver problems.

Alternative treatments make use of herbs—black walnut, butternut, Ficus, garlic, mugwort, pink root, and wormwood—to fight larger parasites. Smaller organisms can be eliminated with grapefruit seed extract and enzymes like protease, papain, and bromelain, which break through their mucous overlay. These herbs may be taken alone or in combination with herbal laxatives such as senna or cascara sagrada. Generally, capsules or tinctures are taken three times a day for about two weeks, followed by a rest period of about five days. The cycle is then repeated once or twice more, depending upon symptoms.

The key to keeping parasite-free is to build a strong immune system. We can’t do this without enough hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach. HC1 production tends to decline with age and is also low in people who eat a vegetarian diet. In addition, men with type A blood are genetically predisposed to achlorhydria, a condition in which the stomach does not produce enough hydrochloric acid. Two to four capsules or tablets of hydrochloric acid with meals can help correct the problem.

Stay away from sugar, including fruit sugar and especially refined sugar, because parasites are drawn to it as much as we are. And perhaps the most important thing you can do to eliminate or prevent parasites is to keep a clean colon that is well populated with beneficial, or “friendly,” bacteria. Eating fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and taking lactobacillus supplements can help. It’s also important to minimize your intake of substances that will destroy friendly bacteria. These include antibiotics, caffeine, fluoride, chlorine, mercury found in silver dental fillings, and refined carbohydrates.

TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR HAIR LOSS

Until recent years, the only suggestion that dermatologists had to offer to remedy hair loss was to avoid stress, get plenty of rest, and use medicated shampoo. Some doctors also recommended taking vitamins—usually a totally inadequate multivitamin. These days, drugs such as Rogaine are available for men who wish to minimize hair loss. While these drugs have been proven effective for some men, they don’t offer a cure, in the true sense of the word—and they come with a long list of warnings and possible side effects. Fortunately, the right combination of nutrients can again come to the rescue to slow or stop the progression of hair loss. And there are some new approaches to treatment that have shown great promise in research studies.

Conventional Medical Treatment

In 1989, Upjohn Company received approval to market their minoxidil lotion, Rogaine, promising hope for many men who were concerned by their thinning hair. Minoxidil was not originally formulated to stimulate hair growth—it was widely prescribed by cardiologists for hypertension. According to Michael Oppenheim, M.D., “Around 1980, a number of formerly balding cardiologists became remarkably hairy.”¹

Minoxidil lotion is designed to be rubbed into the scalp. It stimulates new hair growth by blocking the action of testosterone on hair follicles, reversing their shrinkage. However, if they have shrunk too much, minoxidil won’t work. For this reason, Dr. Oppenheim believes that the drug is best used as a preventative. He recommends that men start using it at age eighteen and take it for the rest of their lives! Twice a day applications produce noticeable results in six months unless the man is totally bald, in which case it may not work at all. The more hair on the scalp, the more will be generated as a result of using the lotion.

The problem with minoxidil is that new hair growth is apparently not limited to the head, but can spring up on the forehead, ears, and other places where hair is not supposed to grow. And hair growth is not the only side effect of minoxidil. In tablet form, the blood pressure medicine can cause salt and water retention, angina, rapid heart beat, and inflammation of the sac that surrounds the heart.

While it is unlikely that these symptoms will occur in men from use of the Rogaine lotion, it is possible—especially for men with heart disease. Rogaine may also have adverse effects when used in conjunction with blood pressure medications. According to the Physician’s Desk Reference FamilyGuide to Prescription Drugs, the following side effects may occur from use of Rogaine for hair loss:

• Aches and pains

• Anxiety

• Arthritis symptoms

• Back pain

• Blood disorders

• Bone fractures

• Bronchitis

• Changes in blood pressure

• Changes in pulse rate

• Chest pain

• Conjunctivitis

• Depression

• Diarrhea

• Dizziness

• Ear infections

• Eczema

• Exhaustion

• Facial swelling

• Flaking scalp

• Fluid retention

• Genital infections or irritation

• Growth of excess body hair

• Headache

• Hives

• Increased hair loss

• Lightheadedness

• Nausea

• Pounding heartbeat

• Redness of skin

• Runny nose

• Sexual dysfunction

• Skin irritation or other allergic reactions

• Vision changes

• Vomiting

• Weight gain

Scalp irritations and cardiovascular disease will increase the absorption of Rogaine, as well as increasing the risk of developing side effects. Systemic side effects can also result from using too much of the lotion.

The standard formulation of minoxidil is a 2-percent solution. Dr. Oppenheim advises that this formulation be used for one year. If results are not satisfactory at the end of that time, he recommends obtaining a special prescription for a 5-percent solution. So medicine’s pet “cure” for baldness involves using a powerful drug every day of your life, and upping the dose if it doesn’t do the job. When we consider the cost—about $100 per month—and the overwhelming number of possible side effects of using minoxidil on an ongoing basis, plus the nutrient depletion resulting from the use of drugs, there is certainly ample reason to look for a natural alternative. Understand that although minoxidil is rubbed into the skin, rather than ingested, it still gets into the bloodstream very efficiently. The fact that it is applied topically makes it no less toxic. Any drug that must be used indefinitely is obviously not correcting the cause of the problem and so cannot properly be called a cure.

Hair transplants represent an optional way to replace lost hair. This is actually a surgical procedure that can be quite costly and painful. There is also the risk of infection and the disadvantage of living with unsightly scabbing wounds until they heal over. Even the successful hair transplant often looks unnatural, and results can therefore be disappointing. And, once again, nothing is done to correct the cause of the problem.

Nutritional Supplementation

All of the B vitamins are important to the health and growth of the hair. A high potency B-complex tablet (100 milligrams) taken three times daily, with extra amounts of biotin, pantothenic acid, B₆, niacin, and inositol is recommended. Niacin will stimulate circulation, while pantothenic acid, which supports adrenal function, will help offset the effects of stress.

Although iron deficiency can cause hair loss, men should not take supplemental iron unless an iron deficiency is firmly established through laboratory testing because of the dangers of iron overload. (Chapter 6 has guidelines for supplementing with iron.) If you are iron deficient, try taking about 15 milligrams of supplemental iron. Liquid iron tonics seem to be the best absorbed and do not cause constipation.

Vitamin C, taken in 3- to 8-gram doses daily, can aid in improving scalp circulation, as can 90 milligrams of dimethylglycine taken three times daily, and coenzyme Q₁₀, taken three times daily in 60-milligram doses. CoQ₁₀ can increase tissue oxygenation. Vitamin E (400 to 1,200 IU daily) is another nutrient that will improve circulation to the scalp through increased oxygen uptake. And 15 to 50 milligrams of zinc and raw thymus glandular can stimulate hair growth by enhancing immune function.

Large doses of vitamin A, exceeding 100,000 international units, taken in the long-term can result in hair loss; however, when the vitamin is discontinued, hair loss stops. Vitamin A treatments, including Accutane, can also cause hair loss.

As constituents of protein, all of the amino acids are needed to maintain healthy hair. Hair and nails each consist of 95- to 98-percent protein. The sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine are of particular importance. Cysteine is involved in the maintenance of hair strength, supports liver function, and promotes keratin formation. The preferred form of supplemental cysteine is N-acetylcysteine. I recommend taking 500 milligrams twice daily. Sheep given 1 gram per day of cysteine increased their wool production by 14 percent. Also, 500 milligrams of methionine taken twice daily can help prevent hair from falling out. While adequate protein is essential to healthy hair, excess protein can lead to mineral depletion that may cause hair loss.

Essential fatty acids from flaxseed and evening primrose oils are essential to the health of the hair. Deficiency can cause it to become extremely dry and thin, and insufficient EFAs can result in hair loss. I recommend taking one to two tablespoons per day of flaxseed oil with about 50 milligrams of B₆ to assure absorption, plus anywhere from four to six capsules (500 milligrams) of evening primrose oil.

Alternative Treatments

One of the newest and most innovative approaches to stimulating hair growth involves the use of electrical stimulation. In a Canadian study, thirty men received low-powered pulses of electrical stimulation emitted from a device resembling a hooded hair dryer. Such treatment, given twice a week for twelve minutes, resulted in the growth of new hair or the prevention of hair loss in twenty-nine of the subjects. Regrowth of hair occurred in 96.7 percent of the group with no future loss. Such treatment may help to loosen connective tissue that can cause hair follicle strangulation.

In addition to electrical stimulation treatment, I’d like to discuss two other alternative hair loss treatments that have been researched extensively and shown to be effective. First, we have a topical product called Thymu-Skin. ^j A central ingredient in this product is purified calf thymus extract. Other immune-enhancing ingredients are included in the formula, along with a number of botanicals, such as aloe vera, nettle, and birch. Vitamins A and B and essential fatty acids are also part of the formula.

Thymu-Skin is applied to the scalp twice a day, like minoxidil. Unlike minoxidil, however, its usage tapers off with time. Twice-a-day applications are recommended for four weeks, and then the applications can be reduced to once daily for six to eighteen months, depending upon severity of hair loss. Thereafter, the product can be used every other day and then reduced to twice a week as results dictate. The application of the lotion should be accompanied by a brisk two to three minute massage and hair should be washed twice weekly with Thymu-Skin shampoo.

Studies on Thymu-Skin have been conducted by various prominent researchers, including Dr. Thomas Rabe, a professor in the Department of Gynecology and Endocrinology at the University of Heidelberg, Germany; Dr. M. Hagedorn, a professor at the University of Darmstadt in Germany; and at least a half dozen other notable physicians at reputable clinics in Germany and Vienna. Several of these clinics are for the treatment of cancer, where researchers have established that no hair loss will result from mild or moderate chemotherapy if Thymu-Skin is applied prior to and during treatment.

The exact mode of action of the product is unknown, but it’s believed that increased immunity resulting from absorption of the thymus extract through the scalp stimulates follicles to produce tiny new hairs that will eventually grow into terminal hairs. As with most other treatments, Thymu-Skin will not produce new hair growth on those areas of the scalp where hair follicles have died. As long as roots are still intact, hair loss can be stopped and hair growth reactivated. This has been proven in “thousands of patients,” according to Dr. M. Hagedorn, who claims that “clinical studies on patients who were losing hair caused by alopecia androgentica (male pattern baldness) showed that Thymu-Skin treatment was successful in 95 percent of the women and 67 percent of the men. Therapeutic success ratios increase with longer periods of treatment.“²

Another product that has been successfully used in stimulating hair growth is called The Formula.^k It evolved out of research conducted at the University of Helsinki Medical Hospital in Finland. Researchers noted that shaved laboratory mice to which they had applied a polysorbate-type solution grew hair at a faster rate than did those mice to which no solution was applied. This observation gave birth to a six-year research project on hair growth that culminated in the development of The Formula.

The Formula utilizes a three-step approach to stimulate hair growth. The first step is the cleansing phase, in which the hair follicles are cleansed of DHT, sebum, and other clogging secretions. The second step is the washing phase, which includes the use of an all-natural shampoo. This shampoo, with its polysorbate-type ingredients, can be used daily without weakening the hair. Finally, in the activating phase, an activating solution containing twenty-two amino acids is used two to three times per week to nourish the hair. Niacin, which helps improve circulation, is also included in the formula.

Research studies in both Finland and France showed 80 percent of those tested experienced positive results. Seventy dermatologists participated in the French study. The product was found to be safe and effective, and no side effects were reported.

CONSIDER THE FACTS

Male pattern baldness is genetically determined and influenced by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. While this condition is by far the most common cause of hair loss in men, it is not, by any means, the only origin. There are several other factors that may be causing your thinning hair, including stress, nutritional deficiencies, hypothyroidism, drugs, poor circulation, and parasitic infection. These are conditions that you can control. I urge you to consult with a health-care professional who can help you determine the source of your problem.

The cells of hair follicles produce hair when they are supplied with the nutrients they need to stay healthy. In a balding man, these cells aren’t receiving essential nourishment, so they die off due to cellular malnutrition. The challenge, then, is to find an effective way to nourish these hair cells. Drugs are not the answer and, in fact, they will likely produce an opposite effect. The best thing you can do is to begin nourishing your body as a whole by eliminating processed foods, choosing quality nutrient-rich foods, and balancing macronutrients.

Supplementing with beneficial nutrients for the hair can also produce good results. These nutrients should include the B vitamins—specifically biotin, PABA, pantothenic acid, and inositol—as well as vitamin E; the minerals iron and zinc; amino acids such as methionine and cysteine; and essential fatty acids.

The best approach to treating hair loss should include the use of both topical applications and a combination of nutrients to nourish you on the inside. No matter which program you decide to follow, however, you should allow up to three months before you expect to see results. And, just to cover all bases, I usually suggest that all my hair-loss clients get an amino acid profile from Aatron (1-800-367-7744).