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STRESS, BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS & HAIR LOSS

Diffuse hair loss — excessive hair loss from the entire scalp — is associated with blood sugar level imbalances. (It is also associated with many other imbalances). Diabetes mellitus is characterised by high blood sugar levels. Hypoglycaemia is characterised by low blood sugar levels. Stress brings about blood sugar imbalances (the definition of stress here being anything that interferes with the normal functioning of your body. e.g. wars, drugs, disease, terror, accidents, worry, and so on.

THE LEVEL OF BLOOD GLUCOSE (SUGAR) depends on three factors:
1.  The uptake and release of glucose by the liver.
2.  The absorption of glucose from the gastrointestinal tract, and
3.  The utilisation of glucose by the tissues (cells).
The liver plays a key role in the regulation of blood sugar levels. It is important to explain three of them.

A.  GLYCOGENESIS
This is the formation of glycogen from glucose. Glycogen is the form in which carbohydrates that we eat are stored in the liver and muscles. When energy is required Glycogen is converted back to glucose and glucose is then used to provide energy.

B.  GLYCOGENOLYSIS
This is the process of converting glycogen to glucose, which is then added to the blood
stream.

C.  GLYCONEOGENESIS
This refers to the formation of glucose from proteins or fats (not from carbohydrates) Hormones (chemical substances produced by endocrine glands which circulate in the blood and help regulate body activities) very much influence blood sugar levels, and in fact the level of blood sugar is regulated by six hormones:

1.  Insulin decreases blood glucose levels
2.  Glucagon increases blood sugar levels
3.  Growth Hormone induces high blood sugar.
4.  Glucocorticoids induce hyperglycaemia, high blood sugar.
5.  Thyroxine reduces the organisms sensitivity to insulin and accelerates insulin degradation. The result will be an increase in blood sugar levels.
6.  Adrenaline increases glycogenolysis both in the liver and muscles. Liver genolysis will
increase blood sugar levels.

To summarise, an increase in insulin will lower blood sugar levels, whilst an increase in Glucagon or growth hormone or glucocorticoids or thyroxine or adrenaline will increase blood sugar levels. Under normal circumstances, all these hormones work in harmony to maintain a stable blood sugar level. –  And you can see that liver activities are very much influenced by many of these hormones. Abnormal production of one or more of the relevant hormones or improper functioning of the liver can lead to sugar imbalances — Although you can be sure the body will try to compensate for the imbalance.

THE EFFECTS OF SHORT TERM STRESS ON BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS

1.  Increase the production of growth hormone.
2.  Increase the production of glucocorticoids.
3.  Increase the production of adrenaline.
4.  Increase the production of glycogen.
5.  Increase the production of thyroxine.
6.  Increase glycogenolysis directly via the sympathetic nervous system, and finally
7.  Decrease the production of insulin directly via the sympathetic nervous system.

In every case the result will be an increase in blood sugar levels so that a diabetic state will temporarily exist. No wonder that people under short-term stress become thirsty and also suffer diffuse hair loss two to three months after the initiation of the stress.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

PITYRIASIS SIMPLEX

Description
* Abnormally excessive exfoliation of the stratum corneum.
* Scales due to increased cell division in the basal layer.
* Dry white scales.
* Sometimes itchy.
* can affect whole scalp.
INFLUENTIAL CAUSES
* Main theory of cause — High levels of the yeast pityrosporum Ovale.
* Inherited trait.
* Stress related. = increase Androgen production, influencing increase of sebum production, ideal conditions for over growth of yeast
*  Diet related — cheese, chocolate, smoking, alcohol and sugar.
*  Low Zinc levels.
*  Elevated copper levels.
*  Can sometimes lead to Seborrhoeic eczema.
Conventional Trichological treatment:
*  Hypoallergenic shampoo base with Cade Oil/ LCD which has antipruritic  (anti itch ) and antimitotic properties (slows down cell division, effectively at 5%). Cationic rinse with antibacterial properties to control the growth of Pityrosporon Ovale.  Cationic antibacterial scalp lotion. Although this is medication most patients find the smell cosmetically difficult to live with, or is it their partners.

DIET  AND LIFESTYLE
*  If stress related, take more exercise, cut down on the above listed foods if you are consuming any in excess. Eat less red meat as it has inflammatory properties. Cut down on fats and prepared or fast food.

SUPPLEMENTS
* Borage High GLA – 1 DAILY
* Vitamin B Complex – If stress related   daily
* Zinc – daily. + B6.50mg.
* Fish oils -High in DHA /  EPA.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

AUTO IMMUNE MECHANISM and HAIR LOSS

This is caused by, or associated with the development of an immune response to normal body tissues in which our white blood cells form antibodies which attack our tissue.  A possible defect may alter a person’s sensitivity and reactions to antibodies so that certain antibodies attack the hair follicles . The auto immune system does not recognise various components of its own body as self and attacks it as it would bacteria or any other foreign body.. e.g. include the following:

* ALOPECIA AREATA.  * VITILIGO. *PSEUDOPELADE. FOLLICULITIS DECALVINS.  *SCLERODERMA. *  LICHEN PLANUS.   * LUPUS.  *L,ERETHEMATOSIS.

Your immune system is constantly under attack by foreign invaders,(bacteria etc ).  One of their effects is the production of harmful free radicals. These are incomplete oxygen molecules with an imbalanced electrical charge.  In an attempt to restore the balance they attack cells, resulting in an impairment of function. Too many free radicals can weaken the immune system and pave the way for infection.

SOURCES OF FREE RADICALS

*Cigarette smoke * Sunlight * Exhaust fumes * Coffee *Chocolate, Tea. * Intense exercise *Pollution, *Fried, burnt, smoked or barbecued food.* Pesticides, *Emissions from printers Photocopiers, *Air conditioning units.

ANTIOXIDANTS, mop up Free Radicals, and boost the immune system. Sources include the following .

Vit A: carrots, watercress spinach, sweet potato, cabbage ,broccoli, and peppers.

Vit C: peppers, watercress, strawberries, kiwi fruit, radishes, oranges, tomatoes.

Vit E: Soya bean oil, asparagus, parsley, mung beans, almonds, and sesame seeds. 

Selenium: U.K only.-  tuna fish, oysters, molasses, mushrooms, squash, Brazil nuts. 

Zinc: oysters, wheatgerm, whole wheat, brown rice , green peas.
Beta Carotene: non toxic at high levels.

If you take vitamin C supplements  and  are on the pill, they should be taken at the opposite end of the day from the contraceptive pill as 500 mg or more  can increase the circulating oestrogen’s and turn a low dose pill into a high dose pill. The pill has a reducing effect on zinc. Zinc is absorbed in the presence of vitamin  B6.

Immune Supplement.

Imuno plus  to mop up free radicals. Support and enhance the immune system.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

The Claim: Smoking Can Cause the Loss of Hair

If an increased risk of respiratory illness, cancer and heart disease are not reason enough for many smokers to consider quitting, than perhaps a message focused on hair instead of health may do the trick.

Scientists have long speculated cigarette smoke may accelerate hair loss and premature graying. The association was largely attributed to toxins in smoke that can harm hair follicles and damage hormones. According to epidemiological studies, that appears to be the case. A report in the journal BMJ looked at more than 600 men and women, half of them smokers. After controlling for variables, the researchers found a “significant” and “consistent” link between smoking and early graying.

Last year, another team studied the link in a group of 740 men in Taiwan, aged 40 to 91 years, notable because Asian men generally have low rates of hereditary baldness. After controlling for age and family histories, the researchers found a greater rate of hair loss among the smokers, a risk that grew with increasing smoking.

One question is whether the link is a result of tobacco toxins directly affecting the scalp, or of smoking’s causing severe disease that speeds aging.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Several studies suggest smoking can lead to premature graying and hair loss.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help

Blokes who lift weights risk balding

Religiously trying to pump up your muscles to stay lean and maximize your attractiveness? Well, in that case, all your efforts for a pleasing personality can go futile, for a new study has claimed that weight training can make a person bald.

Researchers have discovered that bodybuilders’ testosterone soars after a weights session – and that turns into a toxic substance, which attacks hair follicles.

The study reveals that blokes who lift weights just three times a week for 45 minutes over two years are heading for a premature slaphead.

In the study, scientists found that testosterone levels soared an average 25 per cent after one of the sessions. They returned to normal after 30 minutes when the body converted the male hormone into a chemical called DHT.

But DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, shrinks follicles and roots – so hair grows back thinner each time.

Beefy blokes who had a high-fat diet were found to be at greatest risk of the balding hormones. Women who lifted weights suffered the same side effect.

“We have seen an increase in men in their twenties and thirties who regularly circuit train. There’s no doubt it is often a factor in hair loss,” The Sun quoted hair transplant specialists Rogers Medical Group, as stating.

Do you have Hair Loss Problems, read our Hair Loss Help