Dietary isoflavone increases insulin-like growth factor-I production, thereby promoting hair growth in mice.

J Nutr Biochem. 2010 Jun 22.
Dietary isoflavone increases insulin-like growth factor-I production, thereby promoting hair growth in mice.Zhao J, Harada N, Kurihara H, Nakagata N, Okajima K.

Department of Translational Medical Science Research, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.

Sensory neurons release calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) upon activation. We previously demonstrated that CGRP increases insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) production in various tissues of mice including the skin. We demonstrated that isoflavone increases the CGRP synthesis in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons in rats. Since IGF-I plays a critical role in hair growth, we hypothesized that isoflavones may promote hair growth by increasing the IGF-I production in hair follicles. We examined this hypothesis using wild-type (WT) and CGRP-knockout (CGRP(-/-)) mice. Isoflavone significantly increased the CGRP mRNA levels in DRG neurons isolated from WT mice (P<.01). Administration of isoflavone for 3 weeks increased the dermal levels of CGRP, IGF-I and IGF-I mRNA in WT mice, but not in CGRP(-/-) mice. Isoflavone administration increased the immunohistochemical expression of IGF-I in hair follicle dermal papilla cells in WT mice. Significant enhancements of hair follicle morphogenesis, hair regrowth, and hair pigmentation were also observed in WT mice administered isoflavone. However, none of these effects in WT mice were observed in CGRP(-/-) mice. These observations strongly suggest that isoflavone might increase IGF-I production in the hair follicle dermal papilla cells in mice through increasing CGRP production in the sensory neurons, thereby promoting hair growth associated with melanogenesis in mice.

McDougall

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2005nl/april/050400pusoy.htm

Steven_Tyler wrote:McDougall

http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2005nl/april/050400pusoy.htm

Nice find!

Note how in Asia they consume fermented soy.

Don't see that too often in the west however.

jdp701 wrote:Note how in Asia they consume fermented soy.

Don't see that too often in the west however.

That's true. Here in the USA we eat mostly processed soy like soy-meat or soy-milk and very little actual soybeans.

"http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=19062253"

Going to have to re-evaluate that Capsaicin and Isoflavone study. I tried this for a couple of months and saw a lot of vellus hairs develop around the front hair line but never terminal hairs. I did see a few new terminals hairs on the top, but I can't be certain of this result because I spent less time observing the area. Instead of taking the isoflavone in pill form, I made a green tea with soy milk and adding a little cayenne pepper. I stopped and after a few months I went through an observable shed. I'm sure I'm losing hair throughout the day, but during the shed I was able to see maybe 2 or 3 hairs in the shower a day for maybe two weeks.

My concern is the long term effect of taking isoflavones. The anecdotal evidence I have is that the local Japanese soybean curd maker took over the family business and he is completely bald.

There's so much conflicting information on the benefits/dangers of soy.

With the Densiti thread receiving considerable attention, it'd be interesting to hear all the pro-soy and anti-soy people discuss soy.

I will admit, however, that it seems like fermented soy is preferable to non-fermented soy.

jdp701 wrote:Note how in Asia they consume fermented soy.

Don't see that too often in the west however.

They also consume unfermented. Tofu, which is widely consumed in Japan, is unfermented. Edamame (baby soy beans) are eaten frequently as a bar snack (much like peanuts in the US).

LA-Night wrote:

I will admit, however, that it seems like fermented soy is preferable to non-fermented soy.

Fermenting soy is the only safe way to consume.

However, 95% of soy in US is genetically modified!

jdp701 wrote:

LA-Night wrote:

I will admit, however, that it seems like fermented soy is preferable to non-fermented soy.

Fermenting soy is the only safe way to consume.

However, 95% of soy in US is genetically modified!

That's crazy. Just think of all the pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer they use to grow soybean in this country.

Do you think fermented soy milk protects people from the genetically-modified soybean?

Boiled soybeans also is safe

I'm really not clear on fermented soy products... if one were to acquire soybeans in a grocery store in canned form (definitely not preferable) how do I allow these beans to reach a fermented state? The act of canning them will use sodium and other means of preserving I would imagine, which is the last thing I assume this process will want.
This whole fermented soy business is a piece of work.

I don't really believe that excess IGF-1 is good for MPB. From what I understand, IGF-1 has a strong role in upregulating the number androgen receptors in the scalp.

There's an old study discussed on here a while back that I wanted to touch upon. It was an observational study, which said that finasteride users who had the most regrowth had higher levels of IGF-1. It was concluded that IGF-1 was good for hair. However the correlation doesn't necessarily mean that IGF-1 is helpful in allowing for hair regrowth. It could be that IGF-1 is only very bad in conjunction with DHT (because of IGF-1's affect on androgen receptors), and consequently men with high levels of IGF-1 had more success with androgen blockade despite IGF-1 contributing to the androgen overload in the first place.

LA-Night,

Not sure if fermenting soy helps genetically modified soy to be safer. I personally doubt it but don't know.

Mercola has done a lot of good articles about dangers of genetically modified and seems to have a lot of good info there. If there was an answer maybe Mercola wrote about it.


action<reaction,

"tempeh, miso, and natto" are examples of fermented soy.

A quote

"About 1000 B.C. some smart person in China discovered that a mold, when allowed to grow on soybeans, destroyed the toxins present and made the nutrients in the beans available to the body."

http://www.naturalnews.com/025513_soy_food_soybeans.html

On another note, last year someone brought up the thicker hair that Koreans have over their Asian counterparts. Interestingly, it was said the Koreans consume greater amount of fermented soy. Wouldn't be surprised if this connection was true.

Personally, I'll stick with fermenting via homemade yogurt for 24 hours.

Albe - the soy capsaicin combo supposedly works through among other mechanisms by increasing dermal igf right ? Is it not well established that it is beneficial ?

albe wrote:I don't really believe that excess IGF-1 is good for MPB. From what I understand, IGF-1 has a strong role in upregulating the number androgen receptors in the scalp.

There's an old study discussed on here a while back that I wanted to touch upon. It was an observational study, which said that finasteride users who had the most regrowth had higher levels of IGF-1. It was concluded that IGF-1 was good for hair. However the correlation doesn't necessarily mean that IGF-1 is helpful in allowing for hair regrowth. It could be that IGF-1 is only very bad in conjunction with DHT (because of IGF-1's affect on androgen receptors), and consequently men with high levels of IGF-1 had more success with androgen blockade despite IGF-1 contributing to the androgen overload in the first place.

That makes a lot of sense to me. Recently, when my libido was low, I could take a ton of Deer Antler Velvet and not experience much of an effect. However, after high dose Nettle Root Extract (now), when I was walking around with a hard on all day, once I added Deer Antler Velvet, I got the crazy surge that it promises.

Also, when I was much younger and first tried Deer Antler Velvet, I would get that ridiculous surge. At first I thought it was great of course, but then realized that it was probably spiking androgens too much. That's why I originally dropped it back in the day.

All said, I think IGF-1 works in tandem with circulating androgens: DHT.

albe wrote:I don't really believe that excess IGF-1 is good for MPB. From what I understand, IGF-1 has a strong role in upregulating the number androgen receptors in the scalp.

There's an old study discussed on here a while back that I wanted to touch upon. It was an observational study, which said that finasteride users who had the most regrowth had higher levels of IGF-1. It was concluded that IGF-1 was good for hair. However the correlation doesn't necessarily mean that IGF-1 is helpful in allowing for hair regrowth. It could be that IGF-1 is only very bad in conjunction with DHT (because of IGF-1's affect on androgen receptors), and consequently men with high levels of IGF-1 had more success with androgen blockade despite IGF-1 contributing to the androgen overload in the first place.

Free-IGF-1 = Bad!
Protein-bound-IGF-1 = Good!

The men in the study had a upregulation on IGFBP in their scalps.

misterE wrote:

Free-IGF-1 = Bad!
Protein-bound-IGF-1 = Good!

The men in the study had a upregulation on IGFBP in their scalps.

This question may seem foolish upon further reading, but how does one go about switching the free IGF-1 to the protein Bound variety?

A high fiber, low fat, moderate protein diet... basically the Mcdougal diet however I don't believe you have to take it that far. I believe incorporating moderate amounts of wild caught sea food such as the Japanese do would not be detrimental. Also EGCG increases IGFBP-3. I believe fasting and excercise do as well.

baller234 wrote:A high fiber, low fat, moderate protein diet... basically the Mcdougal diet however I don't believe you have to take it that far. I believe incorporating moderate amounts of wild caught sea food such as the Japanese do would not be detrimental. Also EGCG increases IGFBP-3. I believe fasting and excercise do as well.

I'm pretty well on this diet, very little cooked / processed foods, I do get a fair amount of fresh Cod fish, Soy Milk. Raw foods really are a staple of my diet. I also drink a strong green tea extract.

I wonder if soy isoflavones increase IGFBP-3 as well?

misterE wrote:

albe wrote:I don't really believe that excess IGF-1 is good for MPB. From what I understand, IGF-1 has a strong role in upregulating the number androgen receptors in the scalp.

There's an old study discussed on here a while back that I wanted to touch upon. It was an observational study, which said that finasteride users who had the most regrowth had higher levels of IGF-1. It was concluded that IGF-1 was good for hair. However the correlation doesn't necessarily mean that IGF-1 is helpful in allowing for hair regrowth. It could be that IGF-1 is only very bad in conjunction with DHT (because of IGF-1's affect on androgen receptors), and consequently men with high levels of IGF-1 had more success with androgen blockade despite IGF-1 contributing to the androgen overload in the first place.

Free-IGF-1 = Bad!
Protein-bound-IGF-1 = Good!

The men in the study had a upregulation on IGFBP in their scalps.

The only problem with the bound IGF-1 and bound testosterone to SHGB is that, let's face it, it makes being a porn star difficult.

action<reaction wrote:

misterE wrote:

Free-IGF-1 = Bad!
Protein-bound-IGF-1 = Good!

The men in the study had a upregulation on IGFBP in their scalps.

This question may seem foolish upon further reading, but how does one go about switching the free IGF-1 to the protein Bound variety?

High-fat-diet stimulates free-IGF-1.
Dietary-protein, especially animal-protein increases free-IGF-1.
Dietary-fiber helps to increase IGFBP's.
Fasting increases IGFBP's.
Many phyto-nutrients; phytoestrogens, polyphenols and antioxidants found only in plant-based-foods help increase IGFBP's.
Exercise will also increase IGFBP's

^ Thanks MisterE.

I guess I'm already on this path then.

Gibson wrote:

The only problem with the bound IGF-1 and bound testosterone to SHGB is that, let's face it, it makes being a porn star difficult.

I wouldn't say that... There is always going to be a small amount of free-IGF-1 and free-testosterone to induce libido, just not enough to cause baldness or cancer.