New? hairloss theory

Maybe I won't tell you anything new but I have (for me) a new theory of hairloss: it's a form of body's defence reaction against sclerodema which leads to it's limited form on the scalp (hairloss being a form of lacalized scleroderma with overproduction of collagen, skin calcification and hardening)

note women suffer less from hairloss then men - but there's an opposite ratio within scleroderma patiens - much higher risk for women

This explains why potassium channel openers (calcium channel blockers) work, why lasers work, why scalp massage and scalp oils work to some extent, TGF beta role, immunity response, skin hardening, why white men get bald more often than other races, etc

I'll try to develope this theory if this hasn't been said before.

Prague - That's interesting theory. There seem to be very strong correlations between conditions of heart disease and cancer with hair loss as well.

Cancer often has metal and calcification present in tissues. Heart disease involves excessive fibrin, insulin resistance, calcifications). Both disease often involve low Omega-3 to Omega 6 ratios, low iodine (low thyroid), elevated metals, higher stress, more free radicals.

If scleroderma is a link, there's definitely the autoimmune factor.

I do agree there's a positive corelation with cancer and heart disease and apparently the same causes. What I find interesting is there's a negative corelation between MPB and sclerodema - if you get bald your chance of having sleroderma are low; in US it's a bald white man who has the lowest rate of sleroderma. Indians more than 10x more, afroamericans also much more, women many times more than men. That's the reason I consider MPB to be defensive mechanisme (against heart disease?, cancer? or scleroderma - deffinitely a link there) since MPB is a localised form of scleroderma:

The mechanism of skin scleroderma and MPB are the same. Skin hardening, muscle tightness, inflammation, autoimmune response, bacteria, hormones, TGF beta.

What is a channel blocker? If this theory were true, is there any supplements or ways of changing diet in order to stop baldness?

Prague - If your theory is correct it could help shed some light.

Here's something of a surprise, Chondroitin suflate is anti-fibrotic.

J Cell Mol Med. 2008 Feb 24.
Chondroitin sulfate decreases collagen synthesis in normal and scleroderma fibroblasts through a Smad independent TGF-beta pathway- Implication of C-Krox and Sp1.
Renard E, Chadjichristos C, Kypriotou M, Beauchef G, Bordat P, Dompmartin A, Widom RL, Boumediene K, Pujol JP, Galéra P.

Laboratoire de Biochimie du Tissu Conjonctif, Université de Caen/Basse-Normandie, IFR 146 ICORE, Faculté de Médecine, CHU niveau 3, Avenue de la Côte de Nacre, 14032, Caen Cedex, France.

Despite several investigations, the transcriptional mechanisms which regulate the expression of both type I collagen genes (COL1A1 and COL1A2) in either physiological or pathological situations, such as scleroderma, are not completely known. In this study, we determined the effects of both native ichtyan chondroïtin sulfate (CS) and its derived hydrolytic fragments (CSf) on human normal (NF) and scleroderma (SF) fibroblasts. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that CS and CSf exert an inhibitory effect on type I collagen protein synthesis and decrease the corresponding mRNA steady-state levels of COL1A1 and COL1A2 in NF and SF. These glycosaminoglycan molecules repress COL1A1 gene transcription through a -112/-61 bp sequence upstream the start site of transcription and imply hc-Krox and Sp1 transcription factors. In addition, CS and CSf induced a down-regulation of TbetaRI expression. As a conclusion, our findings highlight a possible new role for CS and CSf as anti-fibrotic molecules and could help in elucidating the mechanisms of action by which CS and CSf exert their inhibitory effect on type I collagen synthesis.

Espio - A channel blocker, such as a calcium channel blocker disrupts the calcium flow in some undesirable parts. Usually during injury or inflammation calcium will enter into cells. Calcium channel blockers are the most deadly blood pressure drugs (so far) and their alternative (safe) is Magnesium for example.

i'm more and more persuaded that MPB is a calcium deposit to scalp (usually where the skin is in contact with bone as top of scalp, shin, elbows)

retinol topically and minox (calcium antagonists) work when treating hairloss
high levels of vit A in serum lead to hairloss

it's very tricky since low level of serum calcium lead to hypercalcemia and it's deposits

taht's why vitamins A, D, K1, K2, magnesium, iron, phosphate play role - they're linked to calcium metabolism

my theory is that: high iron (alluminium) levels - acidosis - hyperparathyroidism (with low Mg, vit D, K1,K2) lead to improper calcium metabolism, low calcium levels - hypercalcemia and calcium deposits to skin

i'm almost sure (other things like hormonal dysbalance, insuline, thyroid are symptoms or part of the chain) but calcium metabolism is the key to hairloss

note there's a difference in primary hyperparathyroidism that
causes hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels) through the excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), usually by an adenoma (benign tumors) of the parathyroid glands. It is much more common in women than men.

and secondary hyperparathyroidism that refers to the excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) by the parathyroid glands in response to hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels) and associated hypertrophy of the glands

and tertiary hyperparathyroidism which is a state of excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH) after a long period of secondary hyperparathyroidism and resulting in hypercalcemia

also note that estrogen is usefull when treating hyperparathyroidism (bone density) and it's protective function when on hair

also note that DHT promotes bone density and body needs higher calcium intake - reducing serum calcium levels

http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/139/3/1038

Prague - I agree, I think there are three major elements. A common link between bacteria, heavy metals and calcium deposits.

Calcification = low Vitamin K2, Omega-3, Magnesium and Vitamin D.

Omega-3 helps to diffuse calcium, also magnesium. K2 tells it where to go, Vitamin D regulates it.

Vitamin D is anti-bacterial, several types of plant polyphenols are bacteriostatic.

Reduction of certain metals decreases free radicals and oxidation.

There is a ferverant competition between types of yeast and bacteria for any available glucose. This is the
dietary connection.

Insulin resistance is well known to impair bone growth and proper calcium regulation. The same mechanism also
is a primary culprit in hypertension.

Iodine is a little known factor too. In a typical autopsy you will find a calcification of the pineal gland in the vast majority. The pineal gland secretes Melatonin and it is a natural anti-aromatase hormone. Metals such as Fluoride which help escort Aluminum into the brain are thwarted and eliminated by sufficient iodine.
lly build any bone.

Studies have shown estrogen to be helpful in slowing bone loss, it does not actually build bone. Both Testosterone and Progesterone however does build bone.

While Prostate cancer is not related exactly to hair loss, it is commonly fueled by similar mechanisms. GSK-3beta, inflammation (low Omega-3, etc.) unopposed estrogen, androgen dependency (in most case), presence of metals, bacteria and metals.

I have heard glowing reports of suppository-based chelation (Detoxamin) combined with anti-bacterials to virtually eliminate prostate cancer.

IH, what about alkaline and acid phosphatase role - i think that DHT acts through alka phosph leading to higher calcium levels. any ideas?

Prague - Regarding Alkaline Phosphatase, it gets very tricky.

If the liver and/or gallbladder is congested, this can significantly reduce excretion of Alkaline Phophastase enzymes
and cause a rise in ALP.

While ALP does increase 5-alpha reductase levels and also ALP inhibitors reduce DHT and/or it's 5-alpha reductase catalyst, when the body is particularly low in ALP is usually is a strong indicator of several conditions and/or nutrients which are actually anti-DHT and pro hair.

For example, low thyroid is very common cause of low ALP. Low zinc (a classic inhibitor of DHT), low B6 (the active form is anti-DHT), hypohydrochloria (insufficient stomach acid).

Also vitamin D levels when are excessively high (usually from parathyroid dysfunction) it can elevate ALP, and conversely a vitamin D deficiency is responsible for low ALP levels.

Pasteurized milk probably creates more hair loss than raw milk, yet pasteurized milk has no ALP, since true pasteurization is an indication of zero levels of ALP. What many milk drinkers are unaware of is that destroyed or inactivated ALP means no calcium advantages since it will not go in the right place if at all unless the ALP exists or is activated.

Having healthy levels of ALP is a good thing I believe.

Prague - I've been casually studying the enzyme Bromelain for years which comes from pineapple stem and skin. It is a proteolytic enzyme and is excellent for arthritis, inflammatory disorders and apparently useful for scleroderma.

One thing about Bromelain is that it downregulates TGF-beta, it also lyses (eats away) at tissue, particularly fibrin which essentially is scar tissue or fibrotic tissue. Fibrin does everything from clog arteries to harden tissue. Eating raw food was once thought to help add extra enzymes, but generally it all goes towards food digestion. Of course anytime cooked food is eaten, especially processed food our immune system has to step in and do some of the digestive work.

Everything from monocytes, eosinophils, mast cells, basophils, neutrophils and macrophages can be used to digestive food, but this reduces their ability to fight invasion of candida, parasites, fungi, microbes, etc.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17217320

IH, it looks we got the same idea

i was into this calcium metabolism theory and I really belive MPB is calcium deposits from the bones to the scalp tissue. The causes are in my opinion acidosis (calcium from bones gets to blood stram to alkalise and is dropped to tissue then), elevated iron, magnesium, potassium defficiencies

I go through a test - i went to raw food diet (during the day) and have dropped all the supplements since one month to prove this theory is right.

I take loads of magnesium and potassium (food sorces - cidre, almonds, bean, apple cider vinegear), i alkalise a lot (lemon, raw food, apple cider, lemon, green clay, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride) and got on a quite innovative topical regimem to remove the calcium deposits:
topical apple cider vinegear
topical potassim chloride and magnesium chloride
topical papain
and the new stuff: topical creatine (the ATP calcium pump to remore extracellular calcium) and heparine

I go through a shed phase definitely, i loose more hair than usually and one can see it. At he same time the hair (and especially at the balding/thinning) areas the hair got thicker. I go on since i believe the shed being a part of a regrowth and the fact that the hair is getting thicker makes me feel there's some positive change. I'll report.

Very interesting theory Praque. Please develop it further

About Bromelain, can it be applied topically? For example, if I put in on my scar, what will come instead of hardened tissue? Normal tissue?

Misirlou - Bromelain is something that is taken internally. What it does it eat away at proteins in the body that shouldn't be there. Fibrin is supposed to be in the body for only a short period, just long enough to patch tears or injuries in the body, but eventually it gets filled up with scar tissue. Or there could be a severe shortage of plasmin which is dissolves the fibrin, but due aging and diet, etc. the body cannot make enough plasmin to do the job adequately.

It wouldn't surprise me in the least if plasmin is something that comes in shortage supply in MPB, I'm already pretty certain that cardiovascular diseases have this association.

I forgot to mention that a raw diet isn't quite enough (it helps), but enzyme supplementation is necessary to have a square advantage since food enzymes offer just enough to digest the food that contains them. If we're already taking certain supplements, I'm not sure if bromelain would offer any more advantage unless we're way up there in years.

I really don't know where to start but this thread is brilliant!
Good job Prague and IH on working together in figuring this out. I have also recently been doing my best to alkalize using chlorella and spirulina. I tried the KCl topically but came across one small issue.
It seems as if most of the KCl is getting absorbed by my fingertips rather than my scalp. I only assume this from the cool sensations that I mostly feel on my hand while I scrub the scalp. I would like to know how you guys get around this issue.

Also, how does serrapeptase compare to bromelain; I remember seeing where it was mentioned that serrapeptase trounced bromelain as a fibrinolytic.

I already use most of what you two mentioned as good for gettin rid of fibrosis and calcium deposits. I just need to get topical magnesium now

Misirlou, Zerx

I got totally obsessed by that and i know it has to do something with calcium. Calcium metabolism beng the primary cause of hairloss.

Some arguments:
ALL the stuff that has to do stg with hairloss plays role in calcium metabolism: hormones (DHT, estrogenes), spiro, vit A, minox, nizoral the drugs causing hairloss work on the basis of calcium metabolism: heparin, etc

note that some some of them working directly on calcium taken internally cause hairloss and applied topically cure it: nizoral, vit A, heparine

the calcium theory would explain why there's a different pathway between prostate and hair - same principle according to DHT theory - it would explain why topical antiDHT do not work -since its the serum DHT influencing calcium metabolism; not in scalp; it would also explain why we loose hair where the skin touches the bone and why the skin gets harder (collagen)

it easily explains why minox is so efficient, it explains why lasers work and why topical/internal papain/bromelain cured MPB for some people

it also explains the acne connection better than DHT theory since acne is of the same pathway as mpb - also why apple cider vinegear works on acne

note that maca (which is considered as a usefull supplements and there were some succes reported) is on of the richest calcium sources in the world

As i told you, i dropped all supplement (take only maca) and trying to prove this theory being right - i 'm on the same topical regimen as i described on previous page and it is week 5 and something is happening with my hair:

i went through a shed immediately (it's not the supp drop, it would be too early) but within a two or three weeks the hair started to grow thicker but still it was worse than before. week 5 and the loss is compensated by the thickness of my hair (i touch it hundred times a day, it feels so great), but no vellus hair and still less hair than before, I lost most of the previously thin hair - which is not so bad finally, the effect is like less hair but good quality. But i'm optimistic and expect a regrowth within a month or two

prague - Very interesting man !

Could you explain about the maca, that is a great source of calcium. like other stuff ...and, what about the food that are rich in calcium ?
I presume the goal isn't to avoid calcium intake...so, Is there somethig to do with the diet, the food we eat, or the way we eat ?

cpio
IH would tell you more about calcium's role in diet; correct me if i'm wrong

it's very tricky with calcium: less calcium intake, more calcium used from the bones (more iron absorbed) - apparently theres a difference between calcium intake, serum levels, extracellular levels and calcium in urine (high intake of calcium = less in urine (the calcium used from bones is reversed to tissue and excreted by urine)

so we need calcium intake (especially when diet high in protein) but

1) imortant role of ALP - we need alkaline environement to absorb calcium (the body regulates the acidity with calcium from your bones)
pasteurised milk - without phosphatase there's something wrong with calcium absorption, in my opinion pasteurised milk causes hairloss more than anything else
raw, bio, grass fed milk should be an excellent source of calcium and very healthy in all aspects
2)magnesium, potassium intake is crucial

3)iron overload seems like a factor (probably as a symptom of low calcium levels)

4)sodium seems to me as a factor too (in it's ratio to potassium)

i have found some foods that are high in potassium, magnesium and are alkalising - cider, almonds, parsley, citrus fruit

by the way i discovered a very very good looking supplement:
https://www.betterlife.com/prod_home_page.asp?prod_id=27414
http://vitanetonline.com/description/4517/vitamins/Magnesium-and-Potassium-Asporotates-with-Bromelain/
http://shopping.msn.com/specs/nature-s-plus-dyno-mins-magnesium-potassium-bromelain-90-acid-resistant-tablets/itemid969751162/?itemtext=itemname:nature-s-plus-dyno-mins-magnesium-potassium-bromelain-90-acid-resistant-tablets

Good info Prague... What you are saying does make sense(from what I could get) and its good to know that your hair quality has improved. But as far as I can tell, there isn't a direct correlation between the quality of the overall hair and regrowth, because since I have started on some topical stuff(sesame/almond oil, green tea extract shampoo + potassium chloride) I have noticed that my overall hair quality has improved, slightly @ best, but the shedding continues. Anyways looking forward to hearing about your progress.

Prague - That supplement is a nice combo, got to check into that.

For some reasons unknown bacteria that cause inflammation use calcium to protect it from our immune system.

Diffusing the calcium or killing the bacteria is one idea. Some bacteria are destroyed by high dose niacinamide--very, very inexpensive.

V-interesting thread, this is all great info, thank you.

So what about something like Prevagen aka Jellyfish extract.

FYI:

Prevagen is a novel dietary supplement extracted from jellyfish that has been found to fight aging and neuro-degenerative disease. In development for over a decade, Prevagen has been shown in controlled laboratory tests on animals to have the ability to keep brain cells alive longer, with improvements in rates of brain cell death ranging from 28 to 45 percent.

Many studies show that neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's are triggered by the loss of these calcium-binding proteins in the brain.

The active ingredient in Prevagen is Aequorin, a calcium-binding protein found in the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. The jellyfish are not harmed in the making of Prevagen, thanks to a humane extrusion process that is used.

The calcium-binding proteins found in this jellyfish are very similar to the age-fighting proteins within the body that decrease over time. Prevagen is the only way known today to replace these proteins.

Prevagen protects the brain and nervous system by maintaining calcium homeostasis, the balance of calcium within the cells. Premature death often results from a lack of proper cellular balance of calcium ions within the cell.

While the aging process is very complicated, Prevagen acts through a single, simple mechanism—the balancing of calcium homeostasis. However, the simplicity of this approach offers much hope to make a significant impact on several calcium-mediated events that are detrimental to aging.

orwell - I used Prevagen last year and a little this year.

Nothing to report regarding hair, but it gives a mood life on occasion, but the effect doesn't last.

I may not be "sick" enough to notice the benefits.