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STRESS, BLOOD SUGAR PROBLEMS & HAIR LOSS

15 Jul 2008, by haircentre 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.

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1 COMMENT
  • Patti

    I have been losing my hair diffusely all over my head for about 4 years. I have had thyroid tested, testosterone tested, my iron is a little low….I am almost 50 years old…any suggestions?