Female Hair Loss Solutions

From eNewsletter 9/7/2022

DID YOU KNOW that a new study from Scientific Reports lauds Rhodiola rosea as a non-pharmaceutical alternative for type 2 diabetes? Researchers found that the well-tolerated root lowered fasting blood sugar levels, improved response to insulin injections, modulated the composition of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, and decreased several biomarkers of inflammation. This is incredible news! We already recommend Rhodiola to support mood and anxiety. Adverse blood sugar can cause mood swings, and inflammation can exacerbate anxiety, so it is not a stretch to think Rhodiola's positive gut affect has a hand in helping all of the above.

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Steve Minsky MS, HWC

The clinician of the future is here now. Steve just completed his Masters of Science (MS) with honors in Health and Wellness. As a Health and Wellness Counselor, he will continue to analyze and offer solutions to optimize not only the food you eat, but every aspect of your lifestyle, whether for prevention or healing. More information on Steve's services.

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Have a happy, healthy day! Steve and Bonnie Minsky

In Today's Issue...

• Well Connect Cold & Flu Update*

• Female-Pattern Hair Loss

• September 20% OFF Sale Items

• Chiro Corner NEW!

• Pure Genomics

• Blog Briefs NEW!

• Well Connect Member Benefits

*Paid Member Access Only

Female-Pattern Hair Loss

Steve and Bonnie: Female-pattern hair loss would usually be a topic covered in our paid member newsletter edition. We are providing it free for all of you today. Female-pattern hair loss (FPHL) usually occurs in women 50 and over. A recent study in Menopause found 52% of postmenopausal women have some degree of FPHL. That said, hair loss can affect women of all ages, especially after getting COVID-19. We always recommend an appointment to discern which of these factor(s) may be culprits, but certainly the following will give you an idea just how complex and multifactorial hair loss can be, as well as some helpful tips to stimulate hair growth. Protein Quality, Quantity, and Absorption Hair is made up of protein. If you are not eating enough protein, are not eating protein that is compatible to your individual makeup, and are not breaking down and absorbing protein optimally, hair loss will follow. In unique disease situations such as COVID-19 and cancer that cause sudden body mass loss or protein deficiency, hair loss is common. If you're vegetarian or vegan and blood type O, your risk for hair loss goes up exponentially. If you live on carbs and very little protein, your risk for hair loss goes up. If you have a digestive disorder, lack certain pancreatic enzymes, and/or have low stomach acid due to health status or acid reflux meds, your risk for hair loss also goes up. Nutrient Deficits Zinc deficiency, whether through genetic mutation that impairs zinc absorption, lack of zinc consumption through diet, or those who have depleted zinc stores from COVID-19, hair loss is common. Replenishing zinc stores is paramount for hair regrowth. Additionally, certain nutritional deficiencies can exacerbate hair thinning and loss. These include: iron, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids, and selenium. Nutritional insufficiencies or deficiencies should be addressed by a health professional. Hormone Imbalance A simple blood test to assess hormone levels is not ideal. It is only a snapshot for what is happening at that exact moment in time. Saliva hormone testing is a better indicator of your hormone levels. Urine testing can be used to see how well you are absorbing your hormones and excreting bad hormones. Natural hormone replacement is often recommended for hair loss, especially for postmenopausal women, due to estrogen depletion. But again, this should only addressed with your health professional. In addition, excess xenoestrogen (bad estrogen) buildup and the inability to detoxify it can cause hair loss. Having knowledge of your genetic predisposition is very helpful for this. Thyroid Imbalance Any thyroid imbalance can lead to hair loss. This can be ascertained through a blood test. If a thyroid issue is suspected, do more extensive testing than just the normal thyroid panel before going on medication. Natural thyroid should always be explored before synthetic, because once you take synthetic thyroid for a period of time, you cannot go off of it. Medications Medications used for the treatment of cancer, arthritis, depression, heart problems, gout, high blood pressure, and certain birth control can create hair loss. Read the label inserts before taking any medication to see if hair loss is a side effect. COVID-19 Severe stress on the body from this insidious infection in the form of inflammation, lack of appetite leading to nutrient deficiency, gut dysfunction leading to malabsorption of nutrients, and mitochondrial exhaustion are all primary reasons why those who had COVID-19 complain of hair loss that last several months or longer. Overweight and Obesity It is a misnomer that those who are overweight or obese have too many nutrients. Many are deficient in the important nutrients and oversaturated with the bad. Consequently, because fat cells house numerous toxins and affect hormones adversely, hair loss occurs in women who carry excess weight. Alternatively, hair loss may occur during a period of extreme diets where weight loss happens in a short period of time. Genetics Several genes shed light on who may be more predisposed to hair loss from hormonal imbalance and/or the inability to detoxify environmental chemicals and xenoestrogens. Our Pure Genomics wellness screening tests for these. Sleep This is a no brainer. Aside from greatly increasing the risk of gaining weight, especially in females, altering circadian rhythms with lack of sleep affect hormonal pathways, and in turn, numerous organ systems associated with hair. Stress Overt stress, especially during the pre, peri, and postmenopausal stages of life exacerbate hair loss. The concept of a "brain-skin" connection has taken hold as a way to understand how stress may influence the growth of hair, the hair shaft production, and hair pigmentation, along with various other hair characteristics. Being stress-related, a wide range of mind-body and lifestyle medicine approaches can be extremely useful. The major stress hormone cortisol, produced in the adrenal glands, causes hair follicle stem cells to stay in an extended resting phase, without regenerating the hair follicle and hair. Testing for salivary cortisol can be a good indicator of how much stress you're under. Hair Care Products Chemicals and toxins in hair care products, including coloring can cause hair loss, but this should come as no surprise to you so we won't spend much time on this. Ways to Stimulate Hair Growth

• Cut back, way back, on sugar. As you know, sugar is an incredibly inflammatory substance.
  

• Warm up unrefined coconut oil between your hands and work into strands until your hair looks wet. Pop on a shower cap and relax for 20-30 minutes once a week before taking a shower.
  

• If not already, switch to a chemical-free shampoo and conditioner.
  

• Take extra vitamin C to boost collagen production.
  

• Take a B-Complex with and/or separate Biotin (see below).
  

• Stay hydrated.
  

• Give yourself a scalp massage once a week. Ideally, you can do it when you put the coconut oil in your hair. Use small, circular motions. Start at the front of your head, then work your way over the crown and down to your neck, pressing firmly with the balls of your fingertips and thumbs. Continue for 3 minutes.
  

• Take supplemental collagen - we prefer marine collagen because it covers all of the most important collagen types.
  

• Theradome Hair Growth Technology is a pricey, albeit effective cool laser headgear.
  

• Biotin can be hit or miss depending upon individual needs. Biotin is an important coenzyme involved in the metabolism of proteins and fats. If you take Biotin, you must stop it 48-72 hours prior to a blood test because it may skew thyroid levels. Biotin also reduces the side effects attributed to pantothenic acid and zinc deficiencies.
  

• Minoxidil topical products such as Nioxin Hair Regrowth Treatment are wildly popular. We do not recommend them. If you use them, please use only short-term because of the side effects while working on the aforementioned causes of hair loss.

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