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Create An Effective Natural Program For Treating Male Pattern Baldness

By: Erica Allen

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Since the introduction of Rogaine in the early 1980's, androgenic mediated hair loss, or "male pattern baldness" has been considered a treatable condition through the use of pharmaceutical preparations. The perception that over-the-counter and prescription drugs are the only means to successfully treat this type of hair loss is perpetuated by the lack of well-funded and publicized studies on the efficacy of natural treatments. However, as the understanding of the biological mechanism of male pattern baldness has become clear through a great body of research, the reality of an effective natural treatment is at hand. Here we'll look at how you can build your own program of supplements and topical preparations to help you regrow your hair.

The culprit of genetically-related baldness is now well-known. The process is mediated by the androgenic hormone known as dihydrotestosterone. The production of this metabolite of testosterone increases in many men as they age. "DHT" as it is otherwise known, binds to receptor sites on particular cells within the body, affecting the metabolic activity of those cells.

With regards to male pattern baldness, DHT binds to receptor sites on certain hair follicles. Though the exact means is not yet known, the hair follicle stops growing hair normally, shrinking and sometimes dying completely.

When using a natural regimen to re-grow hair, genetically-related hair loss should be addressed on two fronts: reducing the production and effects of DHT, and stimulating the hair follicles themselves back into action. This is best achieved by a combination of internally ingested supplements and topically applied formulas.

The heavy-hitters when it comes to limiting the conversion of testosterone to DHT is saw palmetto berry extract. This herbal supplement is often found in combination with other nutrients that essentially do the same thing, but in slightly different ways. The most important of these is nettle root extract, which limits the binding of DHT at receptor sites. Also, soy extracts have recently been discovered to also have a significant impact on DHT production through a completely different metabolic pathway -- so consuming all these herbs together may have synergistic effect.

As for the growth stimulators, Japanese researchers have found that compounds known as polyphenols, found in grape seed extract, red wine and green tea were at least as effective at hair growth stimulation as Rogaine. Further, the most potent of these was found to be extracted from the skins of unripe green apples, high in a particular compound known as procyanidin b-2. Polyphenols have a positive effect on hair growth when consumed as supplements as well.

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.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

The author is a regular contributor to several sites in the areas of using Aromatherapy and Bach flower remedies. She can be contacted at www.AnandaApothecary.com

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