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STRESS, BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS & HAIR LOSS

15.07.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS

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

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STRESS, BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS & HAIR LOSS

15.07.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS

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

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Anaemia and Hair Loss: Women

15.07.2008 in FEMALE HAIR LOSS

Anaemia is a condition characterised by a reduction in the number of red blood cells or haemoglobin (iron rich element of red blood cells) in the blood. Symptoms of anaemia include general weakness, fatigue, brittle nails, paleness, loss of appetite and long term diffuse hair loss. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia and it is often linked to blood loss e.g. excessive menstrual bleeding, peptic ulcers, haemorrhoids etc.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE
Include plenty of green leafy vegetables, blackstrap molasses, lean meats, dried fruits. Avoid foods which inhibit iron absorption including, coffee, tea, wheat bran and egg yoke.

USEFUL SUPPLEMENTS
Iron – 24mg daily- with L-Lysine and vitamin C  for maximum absorption.

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

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New Genetic Test Offers Insight On Hair Loss

13.07.2008 in HAIR LOSS SCIENCE

Written by CBS4 special projects producer Libby Smith
Reporting
Dr. Dave Hnida
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ― Genetic testing is an easy way to peek into the future; a simple cheek swab can tell you a lot about what’s in store for your health.

There is a broad spectrum of genetic tests on the market, and a new one is offering to make baldness less of a guessing game.

“I’ll be slightly depressed if I find out that I’m going to lose all my hair, but I’ll get over it,” said Mike Heath, a senior at University of Colorado at Boulder.

Heath and his friend, Myles Raymond, agreed to take the HairDx test for baldness. As engineering students, both young men have their minds on mechanics rather than genetics. But even in their early twenties, Heath and Raymond are good candidates for the test.

Both have full heads of hair now, but they both also have a family history of hair loss.

“Both my uncles on my father’s side are bald or going bald, but my dad’s not at all,” Heath explained.

“My dad and grandpa,” Raymond added.

With DNA from a simple cheek swab, Heath and Raymond will find out if they have a genetic variant that causes hair loss.

The HairDx test is fairly simple. It tests just one gene. Mmale patterned baldness is more complicated.

“There are very likely others and we just don’t know which ones they are yet,” said Dr. Theresa Pacheco, a dermatologist at the University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine.

She sees the test as a tool that can lead to early treatment.

“Some of the treatments are to prevent existing hair from falling out, so it would make sense that you would want to know early and treat early,” Pacheco added.

The tests done on Heath and Raymond both came back with the same results — high risk. That means that both men have a 60 percent chance of going bald. But the test results also say that this is not a guarantee that they’ll go bald, but it does give them a place to start.

Additional Resources

    * For more information on the HairDx test log on to hairdx.com.

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PITYRIASIS SIMPLEX

10.07.2008 in HAIR LOSS FACTS

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.

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