Hypertension and Aldosterone levels in women with early-onset Androgenetic Alopecia

Br J Dermatol. 2009 Nov 10.
HYPERTENSION AND ALDOSTERONE LEVELS IN WOMEN WITH EARLY-ONSET ANDROGENETIC ALOPECIA.

Arias-Santiago S, Guiérrez-Salmerón MT, Buendía-Eisman A, Girón-Prieto MS, Naranjo-Sintes R.

San Cecilio University Hospital, Department of Dermatology, Av Dr Oloriz 16, Granada 18012, Spain.

Background Few studies have analyzed the relationship between androgenetic alopecia in women and cardiovascular disease. There is reported to be an elevated prevalence of hypertension among men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), and it has been proposed that both phenomena may be explained by the presence of hyperaldosteronism. However, no data on blood pressure (BP) and aldosterone levels in women with AGA have been published to date. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate aldosterone levels and the presence of systolic and diastolic hypertension in women with early-onset AGA and in healthy controls. Methods This case-control study included 40 women with AGA and 40 healthy controls from the Dermatology Department of San Cecilio Hospital, Granada (Spain). Results AGA patients showed significantly higher systolic BP values (139.43 vs. 107.80 mmHg P<0.0001), diastolic BP values (87.65 vs. 67.48 mmHg P<0.0001) and aldosterone levels (249.55 vs. 155.14 pg/ml; P=0.002) versus controls respectively. A positive correlation between aldosterone levels and systolic and diastolic BP values is described. Conclusion A higher prevalence of hypertension in women with androgenetic alopecia has been found. The elevated aldosterone values in these patients may contribute, alongside other mechanisms, to the development of AGA and may also explain the higher prevalence of hypertension. Blood pressure screening of women with AGA will permit earlier diagnosis of an unsuspected hypertension and initiation of appropriate treatment.

CausticSymmetry, what is aldosterone and from what result, and how to manage it?

cpio - It's all covered right at beginning of this page: http://www.immortalhair.org/physiology.htm

Thanks for posting the study regarding women.

Funny you should post that study as I've been thinking about this route "a lot" the past week and wondering if this may be one of the reason for my success regarding diet as the only thing controlling hair loss.

I've been reading the book Excitotoxins and Battling the MSG Myth and it's role as a calcium channel opener. Also, most of the same supplements that are in your regimen and what people take here are also recommended in the books. One interesting study in Excitotoxins is where it was mentioned something to the affect that CoQ10 supplementation only delayed the inevitable neuron cell death but if CoQ10 and niacinamide was combined then it prevented neuron cell death. I wonder ....

Also, magnesium was touted in both books but it was mentioned something to the affect that magnesiums benefit as a calcium channel closer only worked until the next time free glutamic acid, etc. was consumed ... which in this day, it's until the next meal for the majority of westerners.

Anyway, I was betting that celery seed extract might make it's way into your regimen page. The brand I'm taking is pretty cost prohibitive as again the benefits of celery seed extract only appear to work at 4 capsules per day and not the lower dosages.

But again, thanks for posting that CS.

Jdp, are you strict on avoiding gluten?

If I recall correctly Prague rated this higher than his papain topical.

jdp710 - I think you'll agree that between your contributions and everyone else's this has been somewhat of a watershed year for hair loss information.

Might as well state Prague's famous line, "my hair line is getting crazy" and it is. Honestly, I don't know if it's the celery seed extract (the cheap stuff from Nature's Herbs, Power-Herbs), I take four of those per day or the Sulforaphane (the cheap stuff again, Jarrow's activated Selenium), or if it's a long term residual effect of the iodine, but my hair just doesn't behave at all like MPB anymore.

For the most part, my intake of wheat and gluten products is very minimal, but I'm pretty sure that some sinister foods are sneaking in now and again, so I rely on the celery seed in addition to everything else to keep things in check.

The MSG link is interesting, and it wasn't until that 2008 study on humans in China that pretty much proved the real impact MSG has on insulin. I am presupposing that individual sensitivities to glutamic acid and other potential precursors to glutamate toxicity exist in individuals. I'm totally clueless how I stand on the glutamate issue. Because I keep wheat and gluten to a minimum, I'm probably avoiding most sources of glutamate problems, or I may not be sensitive to them.

CS do you take the extract or the whole herb pills from "Nature's Herbs"? I see that the whole herb pills are much cheaper (but probably have to take more). Swanson has 300 pills @ 500mg each for about $5. But then they recommend taking 3 pills 3x per day. So it would only come out slightly cheaper that way (about half).

Can someone pls mention the mechanism behind celery seed assisting with hair loss?

celery seed is a general detoxifier, helps the kidneys to get rid of urates and other waste products so it decreases uric acid but how can it help with MPB and a glutamate sensitivity?
Should be taken on empty stomach or with a meal?

hapyman - I've been taking this for a few months, exactly as directed:

http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Herbs-Power-Herbs-Celery-Seed-Power-60-Capsules/4399?at=0

edony - Here is some extra info on celery seed extract:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19616517 (Reduces ROS under adverse glucose environment)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18328624 (Great Anti-Alzheimer's)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15167282 (anti-thrombotic)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11270994 (Protects against vasoreactive effectives, endothelin-1, Nitrosative)

High fructose corn syrup causes obesity and hypertension by raising uric acid levels. When this came out, it appears that aldosterone levels could theoretically be altered with celery seed extract.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/aldosterone/

Taurine may have modulating effects on the adrenals and kidneys, and aldosterone excretion ..

In order to clarify the interaction of taurine with the kallikrein-kinin and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems, the following three studies were performed. In the first experiment, 8 anesthetized dogs underwent the stop-flow experiment to determine the excretion portion of taurine in the renal tubule. Taurine and kallikrein showed their peak values in the portion corresponding to the distal tubule, although taurine located in slightly more distal portion than kallikrein did. In the second experiment, 8 essential hypertensives were subjected to normal sodium diet (NaCl 10g) for 7 days, low sodium diet (3g) for 5 days with oral administration of furosemide 120mg/day on the first day of this study period and then high sodium diet (20g) for 7 days, consecutively. During the low sodium diet, plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone and daily urinary taurine excretion were significantly increased compared with the normal sodium diet. By the high sodium intake, these values were significantly decreased compared with the low sodium diet. Urinary kallikrein excretion showed a similar pattern to taurine excretion during the low sodium diet. In the other 7 essential hypertensives to whom taurine 6g/day was orally administered, on the contrary, plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone did not significantly change even under the low sodium diet. In the third experiment, intravenous infusion of taurine 50mg/kg inhibited the rise in arterial blood pressure as well as the increase in plasma aldosterone caused by an intravenous infusion of 0.25μg/kg/min of angiotensin II in 10 anesthetized dogs. Thus, it is concluded that taurine may not only have a close relationship with kallikrein in the kidneys but also inhibit the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in essential hypertension.

CS - if aldosterone is what you are after, why not look at adrenals, this is where Aldosterone births.... I have some level of AF - little bit low blood pressure, some salt craving, and orthostatic hypotension (not enough blood volume in the system). This celery seed extract is perhaps not for me...

My point being, for some of us who have some form of AF (low on mineralcorticoids e.g. Aldosterone) this might be a bad idea?

CausticSymmetry wrote:
High fructose corn syrup causes obesity and hypertension by raising uric acid levels. When this came out, it appears that aldosterone levels could theoretically be altered with celery seed extract.

lund - I totally agree with you, and yes if you have orthostatic hypotension, then it is indeed a hormonal/adrenal problem.

cpio wrote:Jdp, are you strict on avoiding gluten?

If I recall correctly Prague rated this higher than his papain topical.

cpio,

Yes, I'm 100% off gluten as much as I can. It's tough though as it's in everything ... just like free glutamic acid (the nicotine of food) and corn.

I am also just as sensitive to soy, corn, dairy/casien, free glutamic acid and sulfities. Sulfur sensitivity and phosphate sensitivity is common among those that are sensitive to free glutamic acid. I haven't tested myself for phosphates yet though. Free glutamic acid is definitely the worst for me as it increases the reaction to food sensitivities exponentially.

If I eat any one of the above foods that I'm sensitive to, I get an itchy scalp, I don't feel 100% and I need to take supplements or use LLLT to prevent my hair from going downhill. Otherwise, if I avoid those foods successfully there is no need to do or take anything for hair loss.

I'm also sensitive to foods in the nightshade family such as tomato, potato, pepper, chilli powder etc.. They don't appear to affect hair though but does give me pain so I avoid.

I'm sure most of us on this forum have food sensitivities. The immunopro test that Icanbeathis took is definitely tempting but the price is very high ... $1,000. He made a comment that just in 4 days of not eating any of the 60 or so foods he was sensitive to his hair felt great.


Keep in mind, I've posted before but in one doctors practice 75% of her PCOS patients are sensitive to gluten.

Here is a study

"Celiac Disease, Autoimmune Diseases and Exposure to Gluten
Scand J Gastroenterol. 2005 Apr;40(4):437-43.
Celiac.com 07/28/2005 - In an effort to determine whether gluten exposure in those with celiac disease can cause additional autoimmune diseases, Finnish researchers evaluated the frequency of autoimmune disorders in 703 adults and children with celiac disease, and compared them with 299 controls (normal duodenal histology). For each person in the study the researchers assessed the effect of age at the end of follow-up, age at diagnosis; actual gluten exposure time; and the gender and diagnostic delay time. They then determined autoimmune disease incidence figures that were expressed as a dependent variable via logistic regression analysis (per 10,000 person-years).

The researchers found that the celiac disease group had a significantly higher prevalence of additional autoimmune diseases that was not affected by exposure to gluten."



Here is a list of ingredients that contain gluten that CS has posted before ... notice tocopherol.


http://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html

http://www.celiac.com/articles/182/1/Unsafe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Unsafe-Ingredients/Page1.html


I think I posted somewhere before but gluten (and probably food sensitivities) affect liver and kidney function which would be related to this thread. Interesting how Chinese say hair loss is routed in liver and kidneys or something along those lines.

Prague has posted about the zinc connection before ... higher estrogen/lower testosterone ... not to mention endothelial dysfunction ... I posted an interesting quote a couple weeks ago but I forget where it is.

In short, free glutamic acid is only a recent phenomena that has only been around 90 years or so. Have you guys noticed the extremely large strawberries, tomatoes, etc. at the produce section. They are created that way with glutamic acid which makes them larger.

Anyway, corn is also not the corn from a couple hundred years ago. Casein is only a 500 year old phenomena and gluten is a 1500 years old. A lot of nuts are sprayed with glutamic acid and some produce. Meat and seafood is sometimes too. Chicken/poultry is commonly soaked in sulfites. The ingredient "artificial flavor" contains more free glutamic acid/MSG than the ingredient MSG itself. Most all diary products are loaded in MSG. Wheat, Corn and Soy is also used to make MSG. I could go on forever but you get the idea.

Taurine and making sure you're not B6 deficient is one of the treatment protocols as well as magnesium.

Hey CausticSymmetry,

Great info on the Daily Topics. I really enjoy reading them. Keep up the great work. And I hear you about all the great info that's coming out about hair loss. It's actually really exciting times and it's also interesting the connections.

Hey hapyman

I have that celery seed extract from swansons in the powdered form, not capsule, and I'm not sure I recommend it as it doesn't seem to give nearly as big of a boost as the Natural Factors brand. I haven't tried the one that CausticSymmetry and cpio use though.


Some good quotes ....



Low Levels of Nitric Oxide. The gas nitric oxide can be produced in the body, where it affects the smooth muscles cells that line blood vessels; it helps keep them relaxed, flexible. It may also help prevent blood clotting. Low levels of nitric oxide have been observed in people with high blood pressure (particularly in African Americans) and may be an important factor in essential hypertension.

http://adam.about.com/reports/000014_2.htm

Dr. Michael Donaldson says, “Iodine stabilizes the heart rhythm, lowers serum cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and is known to make the blood thinner as well, judging by longer clotting times seen by clinicians Iodine is not only good for the cardiovascular system, it is vital. Sufficient iodine is needed for a stable rhythmic heart beat. Iodine, directly or indirectly, can normalize serum cholesterol levels and normalize blood pressure. Iodine attaches to insulin receptors and improves glucose metabolism, which is good news for people with diabetes. Iodine and iodine-rich foods have long been used as a treatment for hypertension and cardiovascular disease;

http://naturalallopathiccardiology.com/cms/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=121

"Working with rats that develop high blood pressure, Dr. Bernard Juurlink at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, Canada, demonstrated that sulforaphane retards oxidative damage leading to arterial occlusion, a potentially significant breakthrough in proactive therapies against blocking of arteries. Sulforaphane may, therefore, interrupt the progression of plaque development to strokes."

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-82489000/sulforaphane-protective-properties-beneficial.html



Here is some good info regarding laser blood irradiation/LLLT and hypertension

"Because many of our blood capillaries are small, we can hypothesise that we need RBCs that are separated from each other to have optimal flow. Small blood capillaries comprise 99 percent of the body blood vessels, the smallest, being wide enough only for single RBCs to flow through, as illustrated in the figure below.

Studies on blood circulation in small blood capillaries support the notion that elevating red cell aggregation can reduce blood flow in these vessels to varying degrees .

The combination of various factors to give good blood flow properties are therefore important for nutrient and oxygen transportation throughout the body. It is a complex subject and is mainly determined by key variables such as blood viscosity, RBC mass (hematocrit), RBC aggregation, deformability and dilatation quality of the vessel walls.

With this knowledge, it is not surprising to learn that there are studies showing correlation between high blood pressure (BP) or hypertension with high viscosity in the blood, particularly in more elderly subjects. If we assume that the vascular walls are unable to dilate, thicker and slow moving blood can only exert more pressure on the these walls. This is the basic concept behind poor blood rheology as a major cause for high BP.

In summary, it is important to know of the presence of RBC aggregation because it affects blood flow directly by its obstructive nature and indirectly, through its impact on viscosity."

http://www.mediclights.com/low-level-laser-heals.htm

Thanks for the info. I've actually read that about capillaries before but have never made the connection with RBC aggregation. It makes total sense that the tissues being fed by these capillaries are "starving". Also explains a lot of the circulation problems I had before.

A second study regarding aldosterone and women's hair loss


Serum aldosterone concentration and cardiovascular risk in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Cascella T, Palomba S, Tauchmanovà L, Manguso F, Di Biase S, Labella D, Giallauria F, Vigorito C, Colao A, Lombardi G, Orio F.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Endocrinology and Oncology, University Federico II of Naples, Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.

CONTEXT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with early impairment of vascular structure and a low-grade chronic inflammation. Aldosterone is a well-recognized cardiovascular risk (CVR) factor and is related to inflammatory processes. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate serum aldosterone levels in PCOS and correlate them to some CVR factors and early atherosclerotic markers. DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective baseline-controlled clinical study was conducted at the University "Federico II" of Naples School of Medicine (Naples, Italy). PATIENTS: Fifty PCOS women age- and body mass index-matched with 50 healthy women were enrolled. MEAN OUTCOME MEASURES: Anthropometric, hormonal, and metabolic patterns, including plasma aldosterone, renin, and C-reactive protein, were measured in each subject. Intima-media thickness was also evaluated in each patient and control. RESULTS: Aldosterone levels were significantly increased (P < 0.001) in PCOS compared with healthy women (10.5 +/- 3.2 vs. 5.7 +/- 2.5 ng/dl). In PCOS, a significant (P < 0.001) direct correlation between plasma aldosterone and homeostasis model assessment, C-reactive protein, intima-media thickness, and mean blood pressure was found. On the other hand, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and potassium were inversely (P < 0.001) related to serum aldosterone. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the area under the curve for insulin and homeostasis model assessment was linearly related to aldosterone in PCOS. CONCLUSION: PCOS women show an insulin resistance related increase in serum aldosterone levels.

An interersting study regarding lead induced blood pressure differences in men and women


Effect of occupational lead-exposure on blood pressure, serum aldosterone level and plasma renin activity
Authors: A E Shouman, I A El-Safty
Journal: The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association

Numerous observations have indicated a relationship between lead exposure and elevated blood pressure. The present study aims to investigate the association between occupational lead-exposure and elevated blood pressure as well as serum aldosterone level and plasma renin activity as parameters affecting blood pressure. Fifty occupationally lead-exposed (16 males and 34 females) and 50 non-exposed (15 males and 34 females) workers were selected after application of certain exclusion criteria. All workers were admitted to complete clinical examination, including standard blood pressure measurement. Also, blood lead level, serum aldosterone concentration and plasma renin activity were estimated. The results of both occupationally lead-exposed males and females demonstrated no significant differences regarding age, work duration, systolic and diastolic blood pressures when compared to occupationally non-exposed males and females; respectively. In addition, occupationally lead-exposed males and females revealed a significant increase in blood lead level and serum aldosterone concentration in comparison to their controls. Moreover, plasma renin activity is significantly decreased among the lead-exposed male workers while it is significantly increased among the lead-exposed female workers in comparison to their controls. It is concluded that serum aldosterone level and plasma renin activity are affected by occupationally low-level of lead exposure, and the present study provide further support for the association between blood lead exposure and blood pressure related hormones.

jersey - I'm glad that you and jdp710 resurrected this thread and the part about Lead (Pb) is very much overlooked.

Getting the "lead out" is probably something that anyone with MPB should consider, such as Modified Citrus Pectin and other effective metal chelators. I touched on a little on Lead and metal toxicity in my last two blog entries: http://www.immortalhair.org/apps/blog/

I plan on writing a comprehensive piece, because I think a lot of us could benefit from this.

Ok, so celery increases ANDROsterone which reduces ALDOsterone? What else should be taken with celery to complement the effect (I'm guessing pineapple?)

There's also another "massive" benefit to this (haha, google peter north and celery - CPIO, you should like this one)

LOL, celeriac is full of androsterone, good stuff.

Looking forward to the piece on metals CS...especially Lead.

I know this blog gets posted on here by members http://www.carnivorehealth.com/ I've been going though it recently and he states that hair loss is what motivated him to try he's current approach and he tested positive for elevated levels of lead.

So again the connection comes up...

CausticSymmetry,

That'd be great. I'm looking forward to reading your blog.

Here's some information regarding lead toxicity symptoms that I have stored on my computer for anyone that's interested

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lead
The great drug for general sclerotic conditions. Lead paralysis is chiefly of extensors, forearm or upper limb, from center to periphery with partial anæsthesia or excessive hyperasthesia, preceded by pain. Localized neuralgic pains, neuritis. The blood, alimentary and nervous systems are the special seats of action of Plumbum. Hematosis is interfered with, rapid reduction in number of red corpuscles; hence pallor, icterus, anæmia. Constrictive sensation in internal organs.

Delirium, coma and convulsions. Hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Progressive muscular atrophy. Infantile paralysis. Locomotor ataxia. Excessive and rapid emaciation. Bulbar paralysis. Important in peripheral affections. The points of attack for Plumbum are the neuraxons and the anterior horns. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis, posterior spinal sclerosis. Contractions and boring pain. All the symptoms of acute. Nephritis with amaurosis and cerebral symptoms. Gout (Chronic).

Mind.--Mental depression. Fear of being assassinated. Quiet melancholy. Slow perception; loss of memory; amnesic aphasia. Hallucinations and delusions. Intellectual apathy. Memory impaired (Anac; Baryta). Paretic dementia.

Head.--Delirium alternating with colic. Pain as if a ball rose from throat to brain. Hair very dry. Tinnitus (Chin; Nat salic; Carbon sulph).

Eyes.--Pupils contracted. Yellow. Optic nerve inflamed. Intraocular, suppurative inflammation. Glaucoma, especially if secondary to spinal lesion. Optic neuritis, central scotoma. Sudden loss of sight after fainting.

Face.--Pale and cachetic. Yellow, corpse-like; cheeks sunken. Skin of face greasy, shiny. Tremor of naso-labial muscles.

Mouth.--Gums swollen, pale; distinct blue lines along margins of gums. Tongue tremulous, red on margin. Cannot put it out, seems paralyzed.

Stomach.--Contraction in œsophagus and stomach; pressure and tightness. Gastralgia. Constant vomiting. Solids cannot be swallowed.

Abdomen.--Excessive colic, radiating to all parts of body. Abdominal wall feels drawn by a string to spine. Pain causes desire to stretch. Intussusception; strangulated hernia. Abdomen retracted. Obstructed flatus, with intense colic. Colic alternates with delirium and pain in atrophied limbs.

Rectum.--Constipation; stools hard, lumpy, black with urging and spasm of anus. Obstructed evacuation from impaction of feces (Plat). Neuralgia of rectum. Anus drawn up with constriction.

Urinary.--Frequent, ineffectual tenesmus. Albuminous; low specific gravity. Chronic interstitial nephritis, with great pain in abdomen. Urine scanty. Tenesmus of bladder. Emission drop by drop.

Male.--Loss of sexual power. Testicles drawn up, feel constricted.

Female.--Vaginismus, with emaciation and constipation. Induration of mammary glands. Vulva and vagina hypersensitive. Stitches and burning pains in breasts (Apis; Con; Carb an; Sil). Tendency to abortion. Menorrhagia with sensation of string pulling from abdomen to back. Disposition to yawn and stretch.

Heart.--Cardiac weakness. Pulse soft and small, dichrotic. Wiry pulse, camp-like constriction of peripheral arteries.

Back.--Spinal cord sclerosed. Lightning-like pains; temporarily better by pressure. Paralysis of lower extremities.

Skin.--Yellow, dark-brown liver spots. Jaundice. Dry. Dilated veins of forearms and legs.

Extremities.--Paralysis of single muscles. Cannot raise or lift anything with the hand. Extension is difficult. Paralysis from overexertion of the extensor muscles in piano players (Curare). Pains in muscles of thighs; come in paroxysms. Wrist-drop. Cramps in calves. Stinging and tearing in limbs, also twitching and tingling, numbness, pain or tremor. Paralysis. Feet swollen. Pain in atrophied limbs alternates with colic. Loss of patellar reflex. Hands and feet cold. Pain in right big toe at night, very sensitive to touch.

Modalities.--Worse, at night, motion. Better, rubbing, hard pressure, physical exertion (Alumen).

Relationship.--Compare: Plumb acet (painful cramps in paralyzed limbs; severe pain and muscular cramps in gastric ulcer; locally, as an application (non-homeopathic) in moist eczema, and to dry up secretions from mucous surfaces. Care must be used, as sufficient lead can be absorbed to produce lead poison, one to two drams of the liquor plumbi subacetatis to the ounce of water; also in pruritus pudendi, equal parts of the liquor plumbi and glycerin). Plumb iodat (Has been used empirically in various forms of paralysis, sclerotic degenerations, especially of spinal cord, atrophies, arterio-sclerosis, pellagra. Indurations of mammary glands, especially when a tendency to become inflamed appears; sore and painful. Indurations of great hardness and associated with a very dry skin. Lancinating pains of Tabes). Compare: Alumina; Plat; Opium; Podoph; Merc; Thall. Plectranthus (paralysis, spastic, spinal form); Plumb chromicum (convulsions, with terrible pains; pupils greatly dilated; retracted abdomen;); Plumb phosph (loss of sexual power; locomotor ataxia).

Thats how I feel the day after drinking too much LOL!