What 25 years of Research Says about Male Pattern Baldness
Most who have been battling hair loss for a long time understand very well that promises made by various companies over the years have never really delivered on the breakthroughs they have alluded to.
So the answer to the most obvious question is - What is the "secret" -- is there a cure or not? Is there a treatment that works?
Yes, and a big part of that is understanding that a defect exists in conversion of hair follicle stem cells to progenitor cells. A bit more detail on that in a moment--and how to fix it.
Just know for right now, that it is now understood why balding men have this diminished stem cell supply, and more importantly how to get it back and stop the progression on top of that.
However, truly fixing the overall problem should not be limited to just the hair, because there are dozens of common reasons for hair loss and many of them are completely overlooked.
Yes, and a big part of that is understanding that a defect exists in conversion of hair follicle stem cells to progenitor cells. A bit more detail on that in a moment--and how to fix it.
Just know for right now, that it is now understood why balding men have this diminished stem cell supply, and more importantly how to get it back and stop the progression on top of that.
However, truly fixing the overall problem should not be limited to just the hair, because there are dozens of common reasons for hair loss and many of them are completely overlooked.
Your physician, trichologist, dermatologist only knows what they are taught....and these are very rigid protocols which are set by an industry that is interested in patents and profits....My point to that is there are low cost, non-toxic options that do-no-harm and offer health benefits, not side-effects.
The above professionals are not taught a lot of tools and often have no real answers to common questions.
Hair loss is usually the result of something wrong with the body....it is an extension of the nervous system. In that nervous system is a very complex immune system--that system can be affected by androgens, but going after the androgens is not the solution to the problem
While an association between androgens and hair loss does exist -- it is not causative, instead it is merely a promoter.
The real problem is your immune system. Imagine that hair loss is an autoimmune condition.
The definition of "autoimmune" over simplified is the body attacking itself...however it is really stemming from a dysregulated immune system. This means that either there is something (think toxin) disrupting a normal or physiologic process or a missing nutrient, bacteria or co-factor or structural defect may exist to prevent normal functioning.
When normal functioning is disrupted in some way, infections and/or pathogens will become a normal part of that terrain--this harbors the inflammatory process.
To be successful in male pattern baldness treatment, one has to address all causes of inflammation.
Recent discoveries in the pathogenesis and mechanism of hair loss
Men with hormone-mediated balding do possess their hair follicle stem cells, yet without CD200 and CD34 positive hair follicle variety. So an obvious question is why and how can this be reversed? The short answer is to a degree--yes!
To reiterate, those with true MPB (not alopecia areata) will experience a serious problem because they lack the immune regulation that protects them from attack, that is they have a diminished supply of CD34+ and CD200.
To reiterate, those with true MPB (not alopecia areata) will experience a serious problem because they lack the immune regulation that protects them from attack, that is they have a diminished supply of CD34+ and CD200.
Heavy metal toxicity is enormous to this cause. When I read reports of anecdotes on the Internet on whether one pro-hair growth substance or another works or "doesn't work" it can detract from the big picture--the cause.
Oxidative stress is a reaction to a problem (which could be sought to be identified). Heavy metals is one of the many types of culprits that will prevent any successful regimen from working optimally--if at all.
For example, for a very long period of time, I tried the "kitchen sick and the bathtub" approach for my hair loss..and that mind you was with several years of research in along the way...I did find some success, but nothing mind-blowing--until I started to focus on the real drivers of inflammation.
When anyone on the Internet makes statements about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness, they are making the assumption that we are like machine parts--it's just not that simple.
Everyone has unique challenges to make this hair loss puzzle even more difficult. However, do not feel alarmed, because I will attempt to address the more common ones.
So how do heavy metals play a possible role in all of this?
They promote oxidative stress in stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. They exist in peripheral blood function to repair, revitalize, what are aging, damaged endothelial cells. Furthermore, they are responsible for the vitality of the vasculature and promote new blood vessels.
Experiments were conducted to prove out advantages in the effects of removing lead (Pb), and to me the most astonishing finding was that finally I had some proof of the "why" because I stumbled on this by my own experiments with resolving my own hair loss. So what is this proof?
After many rounds/cycles of treatments, CD34+ progenitor stem cells were significantly raised in circulation.
After many rounds/cycles of treatments, CD34+ progenitor stem cells were significantly raised in circulation.
This goes far beyond lead (Pb) also, and consider that mercury (Hg) also disrupts the health of stem cells.
These particular persistent heavy metal toxins lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) inhibit mesenchymal
stem cell metabolism, their reproduction. Interestingly mesenchymal cells are far more vulnerable to heavy metal toxins than differentiated cells.
How to go about this process is another matter, and due to individuality there are some considerations on the best way for each person to do this safely and effectively. It's a complex subject and I cannot summarize the critical details of performing it correctly. However, later in this article I will recommend a very basic method--it won't work for everyone, but should be tried.
Now that I have addressed CD34+ mesenchymal cells, so what of the CD200 variety? Where can they be acquired?
The answer is from our own bone marrow--the trick here is to accentuate their release. So what exactly will these types of stem cells do for us anyway? From a hair loss perspective, human mesenchymal stem cells can switch to "off" the inflammation in the "autoimmune behavior" of androgenetic alopecia.
Or in "medical-ease" they offer immunosuppressive properties or they provide the immune system in the skin, more intelligence--therefore not recklessly destroying our own tissue.
How do we accentuate the effect of already existing mesenchymal stem cells and/or their proper differentiation? The how will be shown in just a moment.
So let's address what to do about replenishing CD34+ progenitor stem cells.
This can be taken in capsules or powder. However, the dosage necessary is very high, so the powder form will be more economical. 5 grams taken 3 times daily (a total of 15 grams per day). This should continue for at least 4 months and preferably closer to 9 months if you want better results.
Next is the CD200, how are these boosted? The answer is to use an independent, 3rd party verified, high quality bovine colostrum, so that the release of CD200 positive stem cells can be released from your bone marrow.
It is preferable to bovine colostrum on an empty stomach, so that are is no competition from other protein sources. This has a very pleasant taste, and because it is natures very first food consumed by healthy humans, it is not possible to consume too much. There is no healthier food that this...and if you are wondering, yes--Surthrival is the absolute best you can find on the market, so that glaring banner above is no accident.
Bovine colostrum contains a rich source of growth factors and of interesting a study was conducted to ascertain potential cell division effects induced by colostrum on human keratinocytes. Some of the effects noted were the growth factor activation of tyrosine kinase receptors and growth factors in stimulating keratinocyte growth and migration essential for tissue repair.
As an added bonus, if you have or experience gut problems, this product above will go a long way to help improving that, assuming you avoid problematic foods that could be part of your problem.
Taking your Hair Growth to the next level
So due to lack of space, there is finally this--the full range of pro-health, anti-aging, pro-hair support.
What does it do? The short answer is a lot of things, but mainly to help protect your hair follicles from transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is a huge factor in why bald men with MPB do not possess enough CD34+ progenitor cells.
http://hairevo.com/shop/32-rejuvenation-complex.html
For more information go to www.Immortalhair.org
References:
[1]. J Clin Invest. 2011 Feb;121(2):613-22. doi: 10.1172/JCI44478.
[2]. Br J Dermatol. 2012 Sep;167(3):479-84.
[3]. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2016 Jan;12(1):5.
Bovine colostrum contains a rich source of growth factors and of interesting a study was conducted to ascertain potential cell division effects induced by colostrum on human keratinocytes. Some of the effects noted were the growth factor activation of tyrosine kinase receptors and growth factors in stimulating keratinocyte growth and migration essential for tissue repair.
As an added bonus, if you have or experience gut problems, this product above will go a long way to help improving that, assuming you avoid problematic foods that could be part of your problem.
Taking your Hair Growth to the next level
So due to lack of space, there is finally this--the full range of pro-health, anti-aging, pro-hair support.
What does it do? The short answer is a lot of things, but mainly to help protect your hair follicles from transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), which is a huge factor in why bald men with MPB do not possess enough CD34+ progenitor cells.
http://hairevo.com/shop/32-rejuvenation-complex.html
When the above mentioned actions are taken, ecklonia cava extract, a source of phlorotannins, which promotes mesenchymal stem cell differentiation is more likely to occur.
Ecklonia cava extract also promotes IGF-1 (note that in androgen sensitive-tissue, IGF-1 can be suppressed, so an extract of ecklonia cava can bring those levels up and also deal with the suppressor.
I've been using ecklonia cava as part of my hair growth regimen since 2006. When major sources of inflammation are quelled, this can help take your hair to the next level.
While it is impossible to list every potential reason for hidden inflammation, I will simply state the most common things to look for. If you have gut/digestion trouble, whatever you're doing for your hair loss is not going to work at its best.
If you have dental issues (real bad), that is a risk factor.
If there are posture issues, there may be issues.
Unfortunately the topic of hidden inflammation and solutions is so complex, because it is highly individualized. For that reason, consultations are necessary to design specific treatment options.
The good news though is if you are relatively healthy and do not have any real known issues, just doing an overall well-rounded treatment regimen can work.
For more information go to www.Immortalhair.org
References:
[1]. J Clin Invest. 2011 Feb;121(2):613-22. doi: 10.1172/JCI44478.
[2]. Br J Dermatol. 2012 Sep;167(3):479-84.
[3]. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2016 Jan;12(1):5.
