Over the last several years, there's been a big growth in the amount of data showing the potential of natural treatments to stop hair loss and stimulate hair growth in the case of male pattern baldness. So where men have been relying on synthetic drugs to help their condition -- mostly because large companies invested a lot of money both in production of these drugs, and their marketing -- they can now confidently take the natural route. This is an overview of the supplements, herbs, oils and nutrients one should investigate for self treatment of hair loss. The primary cause for male pattern baldness is due to an overproduction of dihydrotestosterone, a metabolite of testosterone, and it's affinity for certain receptor sites on the hair follicles. Production of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is mediated through an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. The action of this enzyme increases in many men over the course of their lives, which can lead to hair loss, and interestingly enough, benign prostate enlargement -- also caused by the actions of DHT. The hair follicles commonly affected in the "pattern" shrink and sometimes die completely with excessive exposure to DHT. The precise mechanism for the hair follicle loss due to DHT binding is still being researched -- some believe the follicle no longer receives an adequate nutrient supply; others think the natural growth cycle of each follicle is thrown out of balance through hormone signaling pathways. Either way, nature offers a host of remedies that can prevent hair loss and may even cause significant regrowth in many individuals. There are two activities of primary importance in establishing a program for yourself. One: limit the effects of DHT. This is done in two ways -- limiting testosterone's conversion to DHT, and limiting the binding of DHT at the hair follicles. Two: Stimulate the follicles into a healthy, hair growing state. Sounds simple enough, yes? Well here's how to do it. There are now several well-known natural, plant-based products which either reduce testosterone's conversion to DHT, block the binding of DHT to receptor sites, or both. The most well-known are Saw Palmetto Berry extract and Stinging Nettle Root extract. These to herbs work in combination to both block the conversion of testosterone to DHT and prevent it's binding to receptor sites in the scalp . Other herbs and nutrients employed with similar functions include pygeum africanum, pumpkin seed oil, Beta-Sitosterol and Zinc (you'll find many of these nutrients in "healthy prostate" formulas, which can be taken as effective hair-loss prevention supplements). Also, recent research has shown that men should consume Soy Isoflavones, as they are converted by beneficial bacteria in the gut to "equol", a chemical which prevents the binding of DHT at follicle receptor sites. Some nutrients seem to both reduce dihydrotestosterone production AND stimulate hair growth at the same time. The most well-know of these are the plant polyphenols from grape seeds and pine bark, though the most effective for our needs are from the skins of bitter young apples. Saw palmetto, supplemented in combination with grape seed extract was recently part of a patent for a hair loss treatment. Research has shown that topical application of polyphenols stimulates hair growth better than minoxidil, though liquid, topical preparations are hard to come by. Browse the internet for "apple polypheonols", or make your own formula. Mix your chosen polyphenols into water or an alcohol/water solution at 1-3% by weight: 1 ounce of water weighs about 30 grams, so 1 gram of polyphenols in one ounce of water will produce about a 3% solution - more is not better here, as there was a drop-off in effectiveness with higher concentrations in the research. There are many other food products, nutrients and natural extracts shown in small-scale research to stimulate hair growth. Food products include coconut oil, essential fats (like hempseed oil or evening primrose oil) and flax seeds. Supplements include green tea extract, gingko, lysine, taurine, resveratrol, pomegranate extract, biotin, inositol, and MSM. These can all really be taken at the same time, if you're able to figure out a way to keep them organized and keep using them! The amounts used in research were always in the range of regular "daily servings"; you'll be able to find the amount to take just by researching each of these nutrients. In addition to these polyphenols, certain essential oils have also been shown to significantly increase hair growth. A group of patients with alopecia areata were treated with a combination of lavender, rosemary, cedarwood and thyme essential oils diluted in jojoba and grapeseed oils. Their scalp was massaged with this combination for two minutes a day with the oil left in for some time. After seven months, the treatment group showed significant improvement over the controls. Sage essential oil is also highly valued for stimulating hair growth. There are many recipes on the internet for making your own oil treatment formula, and this may be an excellent choice for the "topical" aspect of your program. So, how does one combine all these into an effective, natural personal hair growth program? Remember: hair loss should again be addressed on two fronts -- the hormones and the growth stimulation. Many supplements are available for "prostate health" that contain many of the herbal extracts that limit DHT production and its binding on hair follicles -- so you can get many of these in one shot. You also might find several hair growth supportive nutrients in "healthy hair" vitamin formulas. These, in combination with a soy extract, polyphenol supplement, coconut oil and MSM, and you're off to an excellent start. You'll just want to make a home made formula of essential oils or polyphenols (or both) and you'll be set! So there it is, the roundup of the more well-known and tested natural remedies for male pattern baldness. While Rogaine for growth stimulation, and Finasteride or Dutasteride for DHT inhibition are completely reasonable ways to go, their costs are high and the effects of their long term use are not well known. And then there are some folks that would prefer to stay away from chemically manufactured medicines altogether - hopefully this bit of information will help. There is much more research available on the internet, though hopefully this is enough information to get you confidently started.
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Looking for a natural solution to male pattern baldness? Here's a review of supplements and topical preparations that research has shown can make a difference.
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