i recieved this by e-mail from http://www.hairloss-research.org Newsletter. i just want to share it with everybody, yet i dont know if this information is reliable or true. maybe someone read about this before or have an idea about it.
Cortisol Elevated in male pattern baldness
It has been established that women and men with Androgenetic
Alopecia have elevated cortisol levels compared to nonbalding women and men, as
if balding itself were not stressful enough.
Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone†and is thought by many to play a role
in hair loss. Though necessary in fight or flight situations, chronic stress
causes elevated cortisol, which has been implicated in a host of “age relatedâ€
problems, in addition to Androgenetic Alopecia. These problems include chronic
inflammation (an established factor in male pattern baldness), suppression of immune function,
metabolic syndrome, bellyfat accumulation and gradual “age relatedâ€muscle
wasting to name a few..
There are two anti-aging adaptogenic compounds that have been shown
to reliably reduce cortisol and enhance one’s ability to adapt to environmental
and psychological stress. One is the nootropic, Phosphatidylserine, a soy
derivative that is commonly used to improve cognitive functioning, and for
weight loss. The other, my favorite, is the low cost Indian herb, Ashwaghanda.
In large human trials Ashwaghanda has been shown to reduce cortisol by an
average of 26% while lowering blood sugar levels and improving lipid profiles.
Subjects in many studies have shown measured improvements in energy, sleep and
well being. Additional research suggests that Ashwaghanda confers
neuroprotection by supporting the regeneration of axons and dendrites,
components that support brain and nervous system function.
As elevated cortisol has the potential to compromise both hair loss
treatment and health in general, taking it into account in the treatment process
makes the utmost sense.
1: Skin Pharmacol. 1994; 7(1-2):61-6
• Schmidt JB.
Hormonal basis of male and female androgenic alopecia: clinical relevance.
Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
A broad range of hormones was determined in males and females with androgenic
hair loss (AH). The androgens testosterone, androstenedione,
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and sex hormone binding
globulin were evaluated in 65 male and 46 female patients. Besides estradiol
(E2), cortisol (F), and the hypophyseal hormones LH, FSH, and prolactin (PRL)
were investigated. Hormone levels were compared with those of 58 age-matched
male and 45 female controls. In 38 of the 46 female AH patients, hypophyseal
function was moreover evaluated by the 'TRH test', which detects slight,
secondary hypothyroidism and/or hyperprolactinemia. Our findings showed a
significant elevation of F in both male and female AH patients compared to
controls, pointing to the suprarenes as a contributing factor in AH. This is
confirmed by the observation of exacerbated AH in periods of increased stress.
Concerning specifically male androgens, a significant elevation of
androstenedione w!
as noted. The mainly peripheral activity of this hormone and elevated E2 levels
in males stress the importance of androgen metabolism especially at the
peripheral level. Additional TRH tests in females demonstrated significant
hypophyseal hypothyroidism. Multilayered interaction between thyroid hormones
and androgens may contribute to the development of AH in hyperthyroid patients.
Another significant finding was elevated PRL after TRH stimulation. Thus, the
androgen-stimulating effect of PRL may also play a role in female AH. Our
findings show multilayered hormonal influences in AH. Broad-range hormone
determination demonstrated a differentiated hormonal situation in this disorder
Pantothenic acid, yeast, Cysteine supplement (Pantogar) improves hair growth in
both balding and nonbalding individuals.
Hardly a surprise. M.I.T. educated Life Extension scientists Durk
Pearson and Sandy Shaw were onto this years ago when they formulated their hair
vitamin, Root Food. This particular study used epiluminescence microscopy and
digital analysis to confirm its results, not the usual and often unreliable
photographic “ visual analysis†and patient reports often used by big Pharma in
many of their sponsored minoxidil and Propecia studies.
THE VALUE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: RESULTS OF A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO
CONTROLLED STUDY WITH ORAL COMBINATION OF CYSTINE, YEAST AND PANTOTHENIC ACID
Trüeb RM1, Lengg N1, Heidecker B1, Seifert B2
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
2Department of Biostatistics, Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine,
University of Zurich
L-cystine-based nutrients in combination with medicinal yeast and pantothenic
acid (CYP complex) are traditionally used OTC products for treatment of hair
loss. To examine the effect of a specific CYP complex-based nutrient (Pantogar®)
on hair loss in otherwise healthy women, we conducted a double-blind,
randomized, placebo-controlled study over 6 months in women suffering from
telogen effluvium. Inclusion criteria were a history of increased hair loss,
with or without clinical findings of female pattern hair loss Ludwig types I or
II, and a centroparietal telogen hair rate > 20 %. Objective measurement of hair
growth was performed combining epiluminescence microscopy with digital image
analysis. Active compound (Pantogar®) led to a statistically significant
improvement of the anagen hair rate within 6 months of treatment, while there
was no significant change with placebo. These changes of the anagen hair rate
were significantly different. In contrast, the hair count, hair !
density and cumulative hair shaft diameter showed no significant changes from
the baseline values in either group. Nevertheless, the changes in anagen hair
rate were sufficient to reflect in clinical outcome. The appearance of hair
growth in the global photographic assessment was judged better in the active
compound than in the placebo group. Finally, regression analysis was carried out
to determine the influence of age, serum ferritin levels above the lower limit
of 10 ?g/l, and presence or not of female pattern hair loss Ludwig types I and
II on the change in anagen hair rate from baseline to close-out. Regression
analysis did not show any effect of age, presence of visible hair thinning in
the vertex areas, and serum ferritin levels on changes in anagen hair rate. In
conclusion, this is the first study performed combining epiluminescence
microscopy with digital image analysis to demonstrate that a CYP-complex-based
nutrient influences hair growth. The mode of action is n!
ot known, but it seems to result from an induction of anagen.
Using Pantothenic acid and Cysteine may be why Pantogar has been
shown to work. Root Food inhibits 5AR, (DHT lowering mechanism) in addition to
increasing hair growth rate and hair shaft diameter. Root Food has high doses of
L-Cysteine and methionine and moderate doses of L-Taurine and Pantothenic acid
in addition to a broad spectrum of anti-oxidants. Pantothenic acid is thought to
be a hair growth stimulator by many, largely due to its apparent antiandrogenic
properties, vis a vis its well documented effects in quickly curing acne, (an
androgen mediated disorder, the etiology of which, closely resembles hairloss).
L-Taurine, is you probably know, used to counter fibrosis and is the main
constituent in L’Oreal’s patented oral hair Regrowth formula.
Durk Pearson has the genes for male pattern baldness, and formulated Root Food for his own
personal use. He has only used a combination of Root Food (which he has
periodically updated) and polysorbate 80 as an ongoing treatment regime since
1980. Though now gray, he has still maintained all his hair over the last two
and a half decades. To find out more about this formula, read Durk and Sandy’s
interview on our site.
Cortisol Elevated in male pattern baldness
It has been established that women and men with Androgenetic
Alopecia have elevated cortisol levels compared to nonbalding women and men, as
if balding itself were not stressful enough.
Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone†and is thought by many to play a role
in hair loss. Though necessary in fight or flight situations, chronic stress
causes elevated cortisol, which has been implicated in a host of “age relatedâ€
problems, in addition to Androgenetic Alopecia. These problems include chronic
inflammation (an established factor in male pattern baldness), suppression of immune function,
metabolic syndrome, bellyfat accumulation and gradual “age relatedâ€muscle
wasting to name a few..
There are two anti-aging adaptogenic compounds that have been shown
to reliably reduce cortisol and enhance one’s ability to adapt to environmental
and psychological stress. One is the nootropic, Phosphatidylserine, a soy
derivative that is commonly used to improve cognitive functioning, and for
weight loss. The other, my favorite, is the low cost Indian herb, Ashwaghanda.
In large human trials Ashwaghanda has been shown to reduce cortisol by an
average of 26% while lowering blood sugar levels and improving lipid profiles.
Subjects in many studies have shown measured improvements in energy, sleep and
well being. Additional research suggests that Ashwaghanda confers
neuroprotection by supporting the regeneration of axons and dendrites,
components that support brain and nervous system function.
As elevated cortisol has the potential to compromise both hair loss
treatment and health in general, taking it into account in the treatment process
makes the utmost sense.
1: Skin Pharmacol. 1994; 7(1-2):61-6
• Schmidt JB.
Hormonal basis of male and female androgenic alopecia: clinical relevance.
Department of Dermatology, University of Vienna Medical School, Austria.
A broad range of hormones was determined in males and females with androgenic
hair loss (AH). The androgens testosterone, androstenedione,
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, 17-hydroxyprogesterone and sex hormone binding
globulin were evaluated in 65 male and 46 female patients. Besides estradiol
(E2), cortisol (F), and the hypophyseal hormones LH, FSH, and prolactin (PRL)
were investigated. Hormone levels were compared with those of 58 age-matched
male and 45 female controls. In 38 of the 46 female AH patients, hypophyseal
function was moreover evaluated by the 'TRH test', which detects slight,
secondary hypothyroidism and/or hyperprolactinemia. Our findings showed a
significant elevation of F in both male and female AH patients compared to
controls, pointing to the suprarenes as a contributing factor in AH. This is
confirmed by the observation of exacerbated AH in periods of increased stress.
Concerning specifically male androgens, a significant elevation of
androstenedione w!
as noted. The mainly peripheral activity of this hormone and elevated E2 levels
in males stress the importance of androgen metabolism especially at the
peripheral level. Additional TRH tests in females demonstrated significant
hypophyseal hypothyroidism. Multilayered interaction between thyroid hormones
and androgens may contribute to the development of AH in hyperthyroid patients.
Another significant finding was elevated PRL after TRH stimulation. Thus, the
androgen-stimulating effect of PRL may also play a role in female AH. Our
findings show multilayered hormonal influences in AH. Broad-range hormone
determination demonstrated a differentiated hormonal situation in this disorder
Pantothenic acid, yeast, Cysteine supplement (Pantogar) improves hair growth in
both balding and nonbalding individuals.
Hardly a surprise. M.I.T. educated Life Extension scientists Durk
Pearson and Sandy Shaw were onto this years ago when they formulated their hair
vitamin, Root Food. This particular study used epiluminescence microscopy and
digital analysis to confirm its results, not the usual and often unreliable
photographic “ visual analysis†and patient reports often used by big Pharma in
many of their sponsored minoxidil and Propecia studies.
THE VALUE OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS: RESULTS OF A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO
CONTROLLED STUDY WITH ORAL COMBINATION OF CYSTINE, YEAST AND PANTOTHENIC ACID
Trüeb RM1, Lengg N1, Heidecker B1, Seifert B2
1Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Switzerland
2Department of Biostatistics, Institute for Social and Preventive Medicine,
University of Zurich
L-cystine-based nutrients in combination with medicinal yeast and pantothenic
acid (CYP complex) are traditionally used OTC products for treatment of hair
loss. To examine the effect of a specific CYP complex-based nutrient (Pantogar®)
on hair loss in otherwise healthy women, we conducted a double-blind,
randomized, placebo-controlled study over 6 months in women suffering from
telogen effluvium. Inclusion criteria were a history of increased hair loss,
with or without clinical findings of female pattern hair loss Ludwig types I or
II, and a centroparietal telogen hair rate > 20 %. Objective measurement of hair
growth was performed combining epiluminescence microscopy with digital image
analysis. Active compound (Pantogar®) led to a statistically significant
improvement of the anagen hair rate within 6 months of treatment, while there
was no significant change with placebo. These changes of the anagen hair rate
were significantly different. In contrast, the hair count, hair !
density and cumulative hair shaft diameter showed no significant changes from
the baseline values in either group. Nevertheless, the changes in anagen hair
rate were sufficient to reflect in clinical outcome. The appearance of hair
growth in the global photographic assessment was judged better in the active
compound than in the placebo group. Finally, regression analysis was carried out
to determine the influence of age, serum ferritin levels above the lower limit
of 10 ?g/l, and presence or not of female pattern hair loss Ludwig types I and
II on the change in anagen hair rate from baseline to close-out. Regression
analysis did not show any effect of age, presence of visible hair thinning in
the vertex areas, and serum ferritin levels on changes in anagen hair rate. In
conclusion, this is the first study performed combining epiluminescence
microscopy with digital image analysis to demonstrate that a CYP-complex-based
nutrient influences hair growth. The mode of action is n!
ot known, but it seems to result from an induction of anagen.
Using Pantothenic acid and Cysteine may be why Pantogar has been
shown to work. Root Food inhibits 5AR, (DHT lowering mechanism) in addition to
increasing hair growth rate and hair shaft diameter. Root Food has high doses of
L-Cysteine and methionine and moderate doses of L-Taurine and Pantothenic acid
in addition to a broad spectrum of anti-oxidants. Pantothenic acid is thought to
be a hair growth stimulator by many, largely due to its apparent antiandrogenic
properties, vis a vis its well documented effects in quickly curing acne, (an
androgen mediated disorder, the etiology of which, closely resembles hairloss).
L-Taurine, is you probably know, used to counter fibrosis and is the main
constituent in L’Oreal’s patented oral hair Regrowth formula.
Durk Pearson has the genes for male pattern baldness, and formulated Root Food for his own
personal use. He has only used a combination of Root Food (which he has
periodically updated) and polysorbate 80 as an ongoing treatment regime since
1980. Though now gray, he has still maintained all his hair over the last two
and a half decades. To find out more about this formula, read Durk and Sandy’s
interview on our site.
