So... does anyone else agree with me that infection of hair follicles is THE cause of AGA? How to control it?

Basically, as we were saying before I believe androgens lead to increased sebum leading to infection and then follicle death. And I believe that most of these infections start in the gut (Candida, leaky gut, dysbiosis, etc).

So... it follows that if you can merely control infection, you're done. That's it, finito

This was heavily implied when JDP got success with a Rife machine, or when people get success with all kinds of topical or probably systemic antibacterials/fungals.

So... what do we think is the best way of controlling infection? And why hasn't this approach spread further over IH since JDP and others voiced it?

Is Rife truly the best way? Shame it's so darn expensive and complicated lol

I'm currently using olive leaf extract, probiotics and grapefruit seed extract (and soon lufenuron and maybe fluconazole for Candida) but it always feels like such a STRUGGLE lol, there has to be an easier and more intelligent way than this!

MMS? Colloidal silver? Rife? Iodine?

hm...

Hoppi

If you read outdated information, you might be inclined to believe the problem involves DHT or sebum. That is only a symptom, but not a cause.

If you were to have read all of the threads on this forum--something you probably have not done, you will find that this thing called hair loss has been solved.

The only part that hasn't been resolved yet is how to grow hair from a bald scalp. That part we are still working on.

So what's the cause? It can be described as oxygen not getting to where it needs to go. What causes that? Electron flow (lack thereof), what causes that? inflammation, so what causes that? Infection. What causes that? Factors that suppress the thyroid mainly. There are of course other factors. Some scientists think these are "genetic," but I beg to differ, it has to do with either mineral deficiencies that affect an array of enzyme systems or an Apolipoprotein-genetic related problem that can be helped by some vitamins.

The thyroid related part involves oxidative stress, mineral homeostasis, heavy metal and/or mold toxicity and stress hormone management, which can also involve the gut microbiota.

Thanks for explaining that, CS.
So, basically, if you solve thyroid problems, you would've won a large piece of the game if I understand correctly?

longhairedredhead wrote:Thanks for explaining that, CS.
So, basically, if you solve thyroid problems, you would've won a large piece of the game if I understand correctly?

Yes, absolutely. I should also mention that stress itself can undermine both the thyroid and the adrenal glands (HTPA) as well.

Wow, fair play there CS! I'm delighted to hear that not only has some amazing sounding progress been made, but that we can agree on a lot of stuff!

Sorry I haven't been up to date. This forum moves fast and I am very rarely here these days. I also think it's useful to have some people researching and learning outside of the collective on places like IH, because a) they might make a discovery separately and b) if we all agree despite the distance between parties, I think it makes the hypothesis even more credible

I too agree the thyroid can potentially play a large role in this. Inflammation.. yeah I kind of thought that too but really only as caused by infection, so I'm glad that is a link in the chain too!

But... if androgens/sebum are NOT a contributing factor, then why does "AGA" affect men more than women, and women become more susceptible after menopause?

Also... what stage in this chain do you prefer to tackle things at? I was only lazily attacking the infection head-on as I perceived this as a quick and easy way to get fast results, as of course without infection, the body would be doing largely ok and the person would have a full head of hair. My approach was to kill the infection nice and fast to get the desired results (hair growth, mainly) and then try to identify and solve the underlying factors in the individual that led to it to ensure it doesn't repeat.

Again, sorry for being a bit behind. My life has been busy and what time I have had has usually gone into largely solo Googling and private learning and experimentation.

It's a journey for all of us eh? Let's hope we're near/at the end of it!! ^_^

Hey Hoppi - Actually this information existed here before you even joined the forum, but with all the information presented, it's difficult for many to understand what is important. Especially because the medical world is so obsessed with symptoms, they rarely acknowledge the cause of the symptoms.

DHT and Sebum are frequently associated yes, but they are not the cause--only the symptom. Serum DHT does not always explain what is going on and often provides confusing information.

Regarding your question about men vs women. The devil is in the details. There are differences in how men and women express certain receptors. This is seen when those who cross over into a different sex. You can get an idea of this just by looking here: http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/88/8/3467.full

Conventional medicine ignores causes, while a holistic view makes more sense.

A thyroid problem is first often misdiagnosed or undetected by standard tests. You might be interested to know that if a thyroid problem exists, such as hypothyroid, that always invites inflammation and/or infection, which can be used interchangeably.

I stopped my hair loss now for years now and have only seen improvement. Attacking DHT and sebum to me ignores the real problem. I wasted a lot of time and effort focusing on these in the mid 90's through early 2000's.

So how is this managed? If an infection is attacked, I would rather eliminate the source of that infection. This is where it becomes difficult. Why? Well, you might have to be your own physician to understand what is wrong, because too few understand how the body really works. Conventional physicians are taught that each organ is separate, rather than a system. They are lost to be polite.

Also, they do not understand about minerals, heavy metals, etc. Nor do they understand how an infection can be created, such as through dental work, including extractions of teeth done decades ago (X-rays do not pick this up), surgeries of the past (you would be surprised how often this leads to present infections of a low grade nature). Then you have voltage and other problems, you also have ANS problems, etc.

If you're looking for the most common suspects, I would recommend focusing first on heavy metals, insuring adequate mineralization (including iodine), and avoiding the worst types of foods, (i.e, vegetable oils, hydrogenated oils, margarine, unfermented soy and pasteurized milk).

CausticSymmetry wrote:
Yes, absolutely. I should also mention that stress itself can undermine both the thyroid and the adrenal glands (HTPA) as well.

there is no good supplement to take stress completely out of the equation though is there?

Stress depending on the degree of its severity can easily go beyond supplementation. My favorite ways to deal with more moderate stress are quercetin and ashwagandha, and curcumin/resveratrol for neurogenic inflammation.

CS, your initial post on this thread I think is very important, and new readers on this board would be wise to read it. It came to me a while back, that with the collective posts and knowledge of you and several others here, we pretty much have hair loss beaten for your average guy.

To me, it comes down to a few key areas that you have mentioned: Electron depletion, thyroid, gut health, dental health and environmental stressors. Infection can be tied to all of these. In other words, get your total health in check and your hair will follow.

One of the main areas Ive been focusing on lately is improving my gut health. Ive been experimenting with betaine hcl after reasearching more about hypochloridia it seems to be helping with the IBS symptoms ive had on and off over the years. There is a lot more to gut health than stomach acid but I think its important.

Another thing Ive realized, and Im sure others here have, is that stressful events can be big triggers of hair loss. Some of the most stressful events in my life have triggered sheds and they dont always happen right away.

I think you also nailed it when you said regrowth on a bald head is another issue. Perhaps we need to take things in two steps: first, get the hair loss under control (with total health) and then focus on more regrowth specific methods.

With that, Im grateful to have found these boards at the age I did because I still have most of my hair. If I had most of this knowledge at 16 or 17, chances are Id probably still have all of my hair.

Wow Caustic keep flexing your muscle. I am just blow away. I had no idea you had such a strangle hold on hair loss and the mechanics of the body in general.

CS - if one's magnesium pumps have stopped how would you reverse this?

Mastery wrote:CS - if one's magnesium pumps have stopped how would you reverse this?

I do know that using a fast push magnesium drip can kick start a faulty magnesium pump. An approach
away from the doctors office might be using magnesium oil regularly or magnesium baths, but I'm not really
sure if the later two will do the job if the pump is not working.

CS, how does diet and in particular acidity/alkaline balance fit into what you have described?

cpio wrote:CS, how does diet and in particular acidity/alkaline balance fit into what you have described?

I do not subscribe to the acid/alkaline balance theory since it is a loose term that is rarely explained to a specific area. For example, where this effect occurs relative to the saliva, blood, in and out of the cells and the G.I tract are all different. Also, as far as blood pH goes, the thyroid is 99.5% in control. I should also point out that special ionizing water containing negatively charged water often was alkaline as a side-effect, yet the alkalinity of the water was not the active part that provided benefit.

So rather than saying acid/alkaline balance, I would rather suggest types of foods that engender health for the specific individual. Beyond that, there is a need for minerals (including salt), vitamins, and fatty acids.

Post of the year, CS. Very useful, thank you.

"Some scientists think these are "genetic," but I beg to differ, it has to do with either mineral deficiencies that affect an array of enzyme systems or an Apolipoprotein-genetic related problem that can be helped by some vitamins."

Could you expatiate on the last part of the sentence, what and how apolipoprotein-genetic related problem could be caused, and what kind of vitamins might be useful.

(much easier to do this without quotes on my phone!)

CS - thanks for the second reply

You're right about mainstream doctors. Often I am in nothing short of disbelief at the way they approach things. The utter confusion and lack of control they display coupled with horribly vague diagnoses and treating only symptoms is just shocking. My gf's mum has IBS/MS and I keep saying that the IBS is causing the MS and it's probably due to dysbiosis and leaky gut, but only my gf really listens. Other people would rather just be pumped full of antibiotics by the doctor and get lots of sympathy from friends, even if this means they slowly die

Phoenix21 - Cool post Just wanted to add that apparently some dental problems like receding gums can be caused by a struggling digestive system. I know that my gums were perfect until I got Candida. My eyes, skin, hair, and probably many other areas also rapidly went downhill (all within around 6 months and mostly within weeks).

I'm hoping my combo of supps will finally kill the Candida, but if not maybe I'll try things like Rife. I know there is a good chance that optimizing background health such as my immune system and thyroid may even solve the problem too, but I really just want to get it done ASAP as well. That's why I say that if we can only control infection (even in a person with a suboptimal immune system, imperfect gut pH, etc) then we will most likely be able to kill their AGA in minutes, hours or days, as opposed to a lengthy recovery process of holistic healing (during which time more hair will be lost).

Maybe the strongest single tool is a Rife machine, but I think some more research or exploration into merely controlling infection directly would really pay off.

I would also just like to add that we are gods among men for working this stuff out xD

So it seems as alot of issues can in fact be traced back to the gut. What are your thoughts on lamisil or diflucan internally to rid the body of fungal infection and bacteria? These two drugs in particular are supposed to be able to kill bad bacteria while leaving the good bacteria alone. I am getting ready to start a cycle of lamisil for a bad bout of toe nail fungus I have been battling for years, coincidentally about the same time ive been battling hair loss. I just recently learned that candida can cause toe nai fungus. I am almost positive I have candida due to substantially increased gas, bad breath, toe nail fungus, insomnia and horrible gray tounge. I am hoping the lamisil will not only cure my toenail fungus but also my candida problems in the same swing. Any thoughts on this?

cassanova wrote:So it seems as alot of issues can in fact be traced back to the gut. What are your thoughts on lamisil or diflucan internally to rid the body of fungal infection and bacteria? These two drugs in particular are supposed to be able to kill bad bacteria while leaving the good bacteria alone. I am getting ready to start a cycle of lamisil for a bad bout of toe nail fungus I have been battling for years, coincidentally about the same time ive been battling hair loss. I just recently learned that candida can cause toe nai fungus. I am almost positive I have candida due to substantially increased gas, bad breath, toe nail fungus, insomnia and horrible gray tounge. I am hoping the lamisil will not only cure my toenail fungus but also my candida problems in the same swing. Any thoughts on this?

Absolutely mate IMO you're bang on the money there!

I have only ever taken a grand total of 300mg of fluconazole - up until now I've relied only on natural treatments for Candida like olive leaf, grapefruit seed, oregano, etc.

However soon I intend to try fluconazole and lufenuron (another good pharm antifungal). Let's keep each other updated on thoughts and progress

yes definitely. I have tried probiotics, oil of oregano and colloidal silver with no success or improvement in symptoms. I just dont think the naturals are strong enough. Not a big fan of drugs but in this case it might be the only option to irradicate the candida. And if it will leave the good bacteria alone, it can only be good.... I hope. Hopefully the die off symptoms wont be too bad as some have reported.

Unless one has IBS or other inflammatory bowel disorders, I'm not so sure that an overzealous anti-candida approach is necessary. Also, those drugs can be quite harmful in some individuals. If you want to normalize Candida overgrowth, try Berberine HCL.

Yes Cs I agree, however I am taking lamisil for toe nail fungus purposes. The anti candida effects would be a bonus.

I wonder if Rife really is like the king of infection control as some imply. I really need an optimal way to control infections in my body, as I feel like that would pretty much solve all my problems right now lol (and for nearly all of us!).

... is it Rife?

Detox/chelation will lower the infection level very well.

Diet will alter which pathogens dominate and will also lower the infection level very well too.

Once you're looking for more in reducing the infection level is when I'd recommend Rife... but keep in mind the huge amount of time experimenting and studying that's needed for best results.

rdkml wrote:Detox/chelation will lower the infection level very well.

Diet will alter which pathogens dominate and will also lower the infection level very well too.

I know, I just need a quick fix. This thing (probs Candida) is eating me and my hair alive >.<

I need a way to just nuke it...