Health Spotlight: Male-Pattern Baldness
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash
There’s one word that men fear the most – baldness. The fact is, male-pattern baldness is a natural phenomenon. Throughout the years, many have claimed to discover cures for hair loss. And although you can delay it, if you are genetically wired for baldness to occur, it will and there’s no stopping it – just treating it.
Common Hair Loss Myth
It is a complete myth that baldness is inherited from only the mother’s side of the family. You hair’s future is determined by genes from both sides of your family, and you have likely ended up with a mix of both your parents’ hair genes. Adriana Heguy, Director of the NYUMC Genome Technology Center and Professor of Pathology told Forbes, “The androgen receptor is on the X-chromosome, which is why some people propagate the myth that male-patter baldness comes from the mother’s side of the family. But it’s not the only gene involved, or even the main gene involved.”
What Factors Contribute to Hair Loss?
Certain factors, such as your hair maintenance over time, can eventually lead to hair loss. Processes that may cause hair troubles can include aggressive brushing, back combing, straightening, and dying or coloring. Even chemicals in shampoos, water, and air pollution can weaken the outside and inside of hair fibers, which easily are broken. Another major factor in the hair game is stress. Balding and stress are often associated, because people can lose hair under extreme stress.
Androgenic Alopecia
The majority of hair loss falls in the category of androgenic alopecia – also called male pattern baldness. This is an inherited condition that makes a man’s hair follicles stop producing aesthetically-acceptable hair in reaction to hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). For most men, hair loss is caused by miniaturization. This process occurs when hair follicles are triggered – by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – to grow for shorter and shorter periods, making the hair very weak and small. For now, there is no way to keep miniaturization from starting.
Natural Remedies for Hair Loss
According to Rashida Beckford, BS, former Director of Nutrition for InVite® Health, “One thing to consider when dealing with hair loss is the lack of supply of nutrients and oxygenated blood to the scalp. As in any other part of the body, this will lead to malnourishment of the cells, hindering its growth. Toxins built up from the external environment, not-so-healthy food choices and a select few drugs and chemical therapies may contribute to the deprivation of nutrients getting to the actual scalp. Though genetics are linked to hair loss, a well-balanced diet and a bit of internal and external stimulation will help to obtain and maintain a healthy head of hair.”
Look for hair care products that contain natural ingredients like Green Tea, Aloe Vera, Apple Cider Vinegar, and Rosemary to name a few. Stay away from products that contain parabens, benzoic acid, and sodium lauryl sulfate.
A well-balanced diet, including high-quality supplements and a natural hair care regimen will only enhance your efforts and results.
Suffer from baldness or receding hair line? Have you tried anything that worked? Let us know in the comments!
Source: http://healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/men/10-myths-and-facts-about-hair-loss#11
