Hair loss: causes, how to prevent it and how to stop it

 

There are three signs that you are experiencing alopecia or hair loss if the area where you stroke with the brush or comb is widening, if you have bald spots or if you are losing more than 125 strands of hair a day.  There are a few specific types of hair loss and several possible causes.  

Hair loss (alopecia) can affect just the scalp or the entire body and can be temporary or permanent.  Alopecia may occur due to heredity, hormonal changes, medical conditions, or as a normal consequence of aging.  Anyone can suffer from alopecia, but it is more common in men.

Learn how hair grows in humans, the causes of premature hair loss and some suggestions for preventing and treating it.

Phases of hair growth

Img. Cleveland Clinic

First, it is important to understand that hair growth goes through three phases: the anagen (growth) phase, which can last from two to eight years and generally refers to 85%-90% of the hair on the head. During this phase, the hair bulb located at the base of the follicle regenerates and produces a hair. This hair grows approximately 1 cm per month.

The catagen (transitional) phase is the end of the hair fiber production phase, when the follicle retracts from the surface of the scalp. It lasts for 2-3 weeks. The hair then stops growing and remains in this phase for a few weeks before moving on to the next phase.

The telogen (resting) phase The hair no longer grows, but remains attached to the follicle for approximately 3 months. After this period, the hair falls out when we wash or brush it. A new anagen phase can now begin.

Each hair grows from a hair follicle and each follicle has its own cycle, that is, each hair grows independently of the rest of the hairs.  In this way, our hair does not grow continuously but in successive cycles. 90% of our hair is in a continuous growth phase, while 10% is in the shedding phase. Every day we lose 50-100 hairs after a life cycle of 2-7 years where the hairs are replaced by new ones.  Each hair follicle produces a new hair in its growth phase with a total of 25 to 30 cycles during our life that can be interrupted by hormonal changes.

Types of hair loss

There are three forms of hair loss in women

Anagen effluvium alopecia , caused by medications that poison hair growth, occurs during chemotherapy.

Telogen effluvium alopecia caused by an increase in hair follicles that simultaneously reach the telogen phase, that is, the phase when hair falls out.

Androgenic alopecia .  It is the most common type where the hair strands become brittle at the top of the head and on the sides of the crown.

 

Possible causes of hair loss (men and women)

The first type of problem is related to hormonal changes .  In the case of men, it is attributed to the excess of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase type 2 that is converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone hormone). DHT is a hormone that comes from testosterone, that is, a metabolite of testosterone and is several times more active in all the functions it will perform, even than testosterone itself.

When measuring DHT levels in the blood, they will not be particularly high in a person who is losing hair compared to a person who does not suffer from premature hair loss, but the levels of the enzyme 5 alpha reductase type 2 will be.  Until now, there is a theory that a person suffering from premature baldness must have an increased sensitivity to DHT receptors in the scalp and prostate, for example.

The second type of hormonal alteration is when estrogen levels decrease in women.  In this case, testosterone reaches the hair follicle where the aromatase enzyme produces estrogen.   Upon reaching menopause, which in theory manifests itself in a thinning (weakening) of the hair follicles, there is a decrease in the activity of estrogen.  It seems that this could be the cause, but it is not certain.

In this sense, it is important to first understand that most of the symptoms of menopause in women will not occur due to a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels but rather due to an increase in the stimulants follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are also responsible for causing hot flashes during menopause and other symptoms that accompany this time in a woman's life.

Both the hormone DHT and FSH and LH, as well as estrogen and progesterone in women, will produce a change in two specific places in the body:  in the pituitary gland , which is a gland located in the brain and where substances such as FSH and LH are produced in women; and in the liver , where most of the sexual hormones of both men and women are produced and can eventually be crucial to improving these conditions.

The second cause or type of problem occurs due to nutritional alterations due to diets or restrictions of certain nutrients such as vitamin C; B vitamins such as vitamin Biotin or B7; minerals such as silica, manganese, copper and zinc, but, above all, collagen.

Currently, collagen is sold in hydrolyzed form from bovine products. In my article on collagen you can see that there are up to 28 types, those that are related to healthy hair follicle production are 1, 3 and even 5, so if you consume collagen, make sure it is the type you need and from reliable sources. More information here

The third class or type of problem that can affect your hair health has to do with inflammation and the stress levels you manage .  The more inflammation there is at the level of the dermis and subcutaneous cellular tissue, the more damage is done to the hair follicles, preventing stem cells from renewing enough hair follicles and preventing the latter from deteriorating or degrading permanently.

Supplements that can help you prevent excessive capillary loss . 

According to Argentine doctor Sebastián La Rosa, a specialist in alternative and orthomolecular medicine, “in cases of male alopecia theoretically derived from alterations in DHT, some supplements can be taken that would help activate the proper metabolism of DHT” namely,

Wild palmetto (Serenoa Repens) or raw palmetto

Pygeum africanum, prunus Africana or African plum

Ashwagandha

Rhodiola

Silica

Omega-3

Essential oils

The first two plants are used as DHT blockers, although it is not considered a good idea to block DHT if you are not sure that it is actually the cause of your hair loss.  It should be remembered that the DHT hormone is also the hormone that attributes masculine characteristics to men.

Ashwagandha is a plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine which increases testosterone levels while reducing DHT (because it accelerates the metabolism of the latter) and decreases the negative effects of blocking the other two plants.

Rhodiola and two adaptogenic substances (which can act as an antioxidant or as a stimulant of liver metabolism or another factor, depending on what the body is needing) that this plant contains would be responsible for balancing the hormones involved, in this case hair loss.

One of the main functions of Rhodiola is in the adrenal glands as it helps reduce the impact of stress on the body.

Likewise, good quality vitamin complexes contain an adequate concentration of B complex and some essential amino acids to stop hair loss or better, for the renewal of hair follicles, including methionine and choline.

Silica is essential for forming a good hair structure and reducing scalp inflammation in case of dandruff.  Dandruff itself is an indicator of inflammation in the scalp, specifically in the hair follicles.

Omega-3 fatty acids in a concentration of 1 gram per day or more, because the lifestyle and diet we lead have ruined the proportion that we should maintain in the consumption of essential fatty acids, giving priority to Omega-6 and breaking this delicate balance.  As long as these proportions are not balanced, it is difficult to control hair loss unless it is due to a hormonal imbalance.  Even if hair loss is due to hormonal changes, Omega-3 fatty acids help hair grow healthily and prevent hair follicles from becoming damaged.

Essential oils offer a natural alternative that will not block the normal function of the testosterone hormone.  Rosemary oil is one of the options that has this effect:  Mixing about 10-12 drops of this oil with a little fractionated coconut oil and rubbing it into the scalp will reduce inflammation and improve the function of other glands, that is, it is a double benefit because it works locally by reducing inflammation and at the same time balancing hormonal function.

Essential oils that are especially effective for women and that can balance hair loss as a result of a postmenopausal process by regulating the function of estrogen and progesterone are sage oil and cedar oil.  It is recommended to mix 10-12 drops of each of these oils in a small amount of coconut oil and rub it into the scalp. If you want to use it regularly, 30 drops of any of these oils dissolved in 50 ml of fractionated coconut oil to apply 3-4 times a week and leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse as normal.

Organic hygiene

In case you feel that the progression of hair loss is too rapid or in too much quantity, a small intestine cleanse and a liver cleanse are recommended.  A liver detox is always positive since the liver is responsible for more than 500 functions in the body and among them, hormonal balance, mainly of sexual hormones such as testosterone, DHT, estrogen and progesterone.  Likewise, a clean liver improves the body's immune activity, reduces inflammation and, as stated above, balances hormonal function.

When caring for liver function, methylation is of particular importance, i.e. one of the pathways for eliminating hormones and toxins in the second phase of liver detoxification.  If the methylation pathway does not function properly, hormones and toxins, as well as histamines and stress hormones, cannot be eliminated efficiently.  As a consequence, there will be a tendency to have problems with anxiety, depression, intolerances, headaches, migraines, chronic pain or hormonal imbalances.

Usually a blood test showing homocysteine ​​levels will be able to clarify whether your methylation is lagging or overloaded.  Furthermore, if you are a perfectionist, self-demanding, planner, obsessive and bruxa (grinding your teeth at night) person, it is possible that methylation in your body is lagging.

Habits and foods that allow you to have a healthy liver

Fast

In my article on fasting you can learn about the immense health benefits of this practice. You will also see that there are various types of fasting and you can choose the one that best suits your lifestyle and current needs.

Intermittent fasting is a very positive way to help your digestion, improve your health and optimize liver cleansing.

Cruciferous vegetables

Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale contain phytonutrients, carotenoids and flavonoids that help neutralize toxins.  Cruciferous vegetables also contain glucosinolates (natural compounds from the secondary metabolism of plants and are hydrolyzed by the enzyme myrosinase to give rise to isothiocyanates that constitute the active molecules.  These molecules contribute to the defense of plants against insects and pathogens, but they also have beneficial properties for human health due to their potential protection mechanism against infections and cancer. ( source )

Beets

Beets naturally help cleanse the blood.  They have a high content of folate, pectin, betalains and betaine.  It improves enzymatic activity and stimulates the flow of bile, which breaks down toxic waste from the body and helps eliminate it from the body.

The pectin found in beets is a soluble form with purifying properties.  The fiber and nutrients present in beets help eliminate toxins that are often stored in the liver or have been excreted into the intestinal tract through bile.

Citrus fruits

Both yellow and green lemons, as well as grapefruits, contain high concentrations of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.  These nutrients help you feel energized, alkalize the body, improve liver detoxification and reduce inflammation.

A good way to keep your liver healthy is to squeeze half a lemon and mix it with water and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in the morning.

Green leafy vegetables

Some of the most nutrient-dense green leafy vegetables include spinach, kale, arugula, Swiss chard and bok choy. All are good sources of potassium, manganese and magnesium. Green leafy vegetables also contain chlorophyll which helps purify the blood and helps the liver neutralize heavy metals, toxic chemicals and pesticides.

Forest fruits

Berries such as blueberries and cranberries contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidant phytonutrients called anthocyanins that give berries their distinctive colors.  Anthocyanins have been shown to provide anti-carcinogenic, immuno-protective and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as protecting the liver and helping it regenerate its liver cells. ( source )

Herbs

Herbs such as milk thistle, ginger, dandelion root, coriander, garlic and turmeric are powerful cleansers.  Turmeric in particular has been shown to improve liver function due to its regenerative and protective properties.  Turmeric is believed to reduce free radical damage, support the production of bile which helps digest fats and excrete fat-soluble toxins. ( source )

Avocado

Avocado is a very good food source of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that is needed to filter toxic substances in the body and protect liver cells from deterioration.  Eating avocado along with foods rich in vitamin C such as lemons can increase the absorption of glutathione.

Avocado also contains minerals and phytochemicals such as carotene and lutein. It contains fiber and potassium that help the cleansing process.

Coffee and green tea

Studies have shown that coffee offers a protective effect against the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. ( source ) Likewise, coffee consumption has been associated with a decreased risk of death in people with chronic liver disease, especially in those who consumed more than two cups a day.  These benefits are related to the prevention of fat and collagen accumulation, which are two of the main indicators for determining liver disease. ( source )

Green tea, for its part, has been shown in studies to be particularly beneficial for the liver.  Green tea is rich in polyphenol antioxidants that are more potent than vitamin C or E and provide health benefits.  Green tea has also been shown to improve enzyme levels and reduce oxidative stress as well as fat deposits. ( source ) It appears that the preventative effects of green tea against liver cancer were found when study participants consumed 5 or more cups of green tea per day.

Walnuts

Nuts, particularly walnuts, have been shown to provide benefits to the liver.  Walnuts contain the amino acid arginine, which is necessary for removing ammonia from the body.  These nuts are also a good source of glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids that help the cleansing process.

Chlorella and Spirulina

Chlorella is a single-celled algae whose cell wall is quite resistant.  The action of chlorella is powerful since heavy metals and other toxins adhere to its cell wall to be eliminated from the body.  In addition, it has complex polysaccharides that enhance immune function.

Spirulina is also a blue-green algae rich in protein, minerals and antioxidants.  It supports the immune system and protects the liver from deterioration by binding toxins. ( source ) Spirulina has a potent antioxidant activity that protects cells from oxidative damage.

Olives and olive oil

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, whose effects are very positive.  Some studies have shown that consuming olive oil can improve enzyme levels and reduce fat accumulation in the liver.

Studies show that olive oil may increase adiponectin levels. Adiponectin is a protein hormone involved in regulating glucose levels and breaking down fatty acids. Low adiponectin levels are associated with numerous health problems, including inflammation, lipid abnormalities, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. ( source )

Conclusion

Premature hair loss can be due to different causes.  If you are losing more than 125 hairs a day and feel that any of the causes mentioned above could be attributed to your situation, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist and together choose the type of treatment that best suits you.  There are different alternatives, both natural and chemical.  In this article I have tried to present natural and preventative options, but it is up to you to decide what is best for you.