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Report by CosVetic Laboratories, Atlanta, GA (an outside
company)
Report By: Paul Hagan, MS, Atlanta, Georgia
According to Myers and Hamilton a follicle of the human
scalp produces approximately .35 millimeters of hair shaft per day. Regardless
of its size, only a small mass of cells at the base of the follicle, the
matrix, produces this germinative tissue, and for the synthesis of complex
proteins farther up in the follicle, to produce this much hair is of a
magnitude greater than is found in most tissues . Within each follicle,
mitotic activity of the cells of the matrix and synthesis of protein go
on unceasingly as long as the hair is growing; growth, however, is periodically
abruptly arrested and generation of a hair ceases. At this time there is
a destruction of the major portion of the hair root and what cells remain
enter a period of absolute quiescence. After a variable interval of time,
the dormant follicle bursts into activity.
A period of organogenesis follows during which an entirely
new hair root is regenerated and the production of a hair is resumed. The
cycles of growth of each follicle consist of the building up and tearing
down of the structure. After a period of rest the follicle is built anew
from raw materials and each hair follicle goes through the identical processes.
It is important to point out at this point that many of the metabolic requirements
of the cells of the hair follicle must be met at this time or adequate
and optimal hair growth will not occur. This means
that certain vitamins and minerals must be present in adequate proportions
or there will be faulty or nonexistent hair growth.
RNA
Abundant ribonucleic acid (RNA) is characteristic of
those cells of the hair follicle that carry out appreciable protein synthesis.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is found only in the nucleus of the hair follicle
cell. Like that of RNA, the content of DNA increases in cells during division.
An increase in DNA content appears to be indirectly related to an increase
in protein synthesis . For this reason, those nutritional
factors such as folic acid and B12 which are vital for synthesis of some
of the building blocks of nucleic acid must be included in and formula
for hair growth.
MINERALS
Flesch has reviewed the effect of diet on hair growth
and states that impaired growth or loss of hair is a common and early nonspecific
response to many nutritional deficiencies in animals. Van Koetsveld has
reviewed work on the influence of feeding on the coats of animals. In actively
growing cells of the hair follicle, the glycogen content has been shown
to be greatly increased . Very little of the glycogen is present in resting
follicles and Montagna assumes that the glycogen in the outer root sheath
of the follicle is the source of the energy for protein synthesis during
hair growth. For this reason, enzymes related to
glucose metabolism and glycogen build-up are very important in hair growth
and those minerals and vitamins used by the body as cofactors must be present
in adequate amounts.
ZINC
It has been known for many years that in animals when
there is zinc deficiency, the hair follicles will atrophy. It
has also been noted that there is a marked impairment of DNA and protein
synthesis in experimental animals whenever zinc deficiency is present .
And in fact, without DNA replication, growth and protein synthesis are
severely limited . Studies by Altmann , Shin and Tal have shown that zinc
influences the confirmation of nucleic acids. As previously mentioned,
without the proper formation of nucleic acids, the cell replication and
hence hair growth cannot occur normally. It has been shown in many species
that coarse and sparse growth of hair generally accompanies zinc deficiency.
Duncan's textbook of diseases of metabolism also points out the vital role
which zinc plays not only in protein synthesis but in certain enzymes including
carbonic anhydrase, malic dehydrogenase as well as lactic anglutamic dehydrogenasis.
Malic dehydrogenase is very active in the Krebs cycle and lactic dehydrogenase
is associated intimately with the glycolytic cycle. These enzymes are reviewed
extensively in Duncan. For all the above reason related to its action and
enzyme chemistry and protein synthesis, I recommend zinc as being a primary
or being the primary mineral present in your formula. I would recommend,
however, that when possible you utilize zinc gluconate or orotate as a
more easily absorbed salt than zinc sulfate. I have found through experience
that zinc sulfate occasionally will cause some gastrointestinal distress
whereas I have never seen it with the gluconate or the orotate salt of
zinc.
COPPER
Copper deficiencies in experimental animals have reduced
the pigmentation of hair . According to Duncan , when human copper deficiency
is observed it is the result of limited intake, inhibition of absorption
or excessive loss of the metal. The importance of copper in hair metabolism
is pointed out quite well by Fell in his study of copper content of human
tissues and body fluids. Fell points out that only two of the tissues in
the body contain more copper than hair, mainly liver and brain tissue.
Beinert has shown that copper is present in the enzyme cytochrome oxidase,
along with iron. This particular enzyme is very important in hydrogen transport
mechanisms of respiration of the hair follicle cell. Another very important
enzyme present in hair follicle cells is tyrosinase, present principally
in the melanosomes of the skin and eye. This is an enzyme which catalyzes
a series of reactions resulting in the conversion of tyrosine to melanin.
This melanin is very important in certain types of hair color. Absence
of tyrosinase or of its function results in albinism . You can see the
importance, therefore, of copper in the metabolism of the hair follicle.
Another important function of copper has been shown in experiments by Sieve
. The graying of hair has been produced experimentally
by this investigator by a lack of copper along with folic
acid, pantothenic acid and PABA. While
this particular experiment did not demonstrate that deficiency of copper
alone caused graying, it certainly was suggested that copper deficiency
plays an important factor in some cases of graying of the hair. In the
synthesis of hair protein, the formation of disulfide bonds is very important
for the integrity and structure of the hair itself. Copper has been shown
to play an important catalytic role in the formation of these disulfide
bonds . One demonstration of this or the effects of this defect of copper
deficiency can be found in Menke's kinky hair syndrome which was described
by Danks . In this particular defect there is a marked change in the texture
of the hair caused by copper deficiency which can be corrected by the adequate
addition of copper to the patient. The basic defect found in the hair is
an abnormality of the hair shaft structure and increased virility of the
hair. The serum copper is decreased and the hair sulphydryl-disulfide ratio
is increased. The hairs appear similar to those found in the wool of copper
deficient sheep and the defect appears to be associated in these patients
with a defect in intestinal absorption of copper. It is postulated by Danks
that copper deficiencies in general might produce a similar problem. Another
hair pigment which is found in humans is called pheomelanin which appears
to produce the yellow red pigment found in hair. According to Flesch and
Rothman and Russell , this is also a tyrosinase
dependent pigment and requires copper for its action and its formation.
It is postulated that lack of adequate copper for an enzyme cofactor would
produce defective pigment formation in patients with yellow or red or combined
coloring. Mason also points out that zinc is required in addition to copper
for part of the chain of chemical reactions triggered by enzymes that finally
produces melanin or its derivatives.
Manganese and
Iron
I will cover manganese and iron together in the same section
since some of the enzyme reactions and some of the biochemical pathways
in which they are active are the same. Wacker discusses nucleic acids and
metals in his paper. It was found that chromium, manganese, nickel, iron
and other metals were present in RNA from diverse biological sources, pointing
out the importance of manganese and iron in the synthesis of RNA. Prasad
points out that manganese and iron are important in the Kreb cycle. Without
the presence of adequate amounts of these two metals, the Kreb cycle of
oxidative energy production cannot occur at optimal levels. Isocitric dehydrogenase
(IDH) which is a manganese dependent enzyme and succinic dehydrogenase
(SDH) which is an iron dependent enzyme are two important links in the
chain of the Kreb cycle. Without optimal function of the Kreb cycle, adequate
high energy phosphate bonds cannot be produced and therefore adequate glycogen
which is vital for follicle growth cannot be built up to be used as energy
at a later date. Histochemical studies of the hair follicle by Montagna
have shown how easily iron can be localized in the hair follicle and how
important it is, both in the oxidative and hydrogen transport systems of
the hair follicle. Incidentally, hydrogen transport is the usual method
by which cells oxidize materials. Instead of direct addition of oxygen,
hydrogen is removed which accomplishes the same thing, mainly oxidation
of a compound.
Iodine
Iodine intake of many persons has been shown to be markedly
deficient according to a study by Saxena . Organic iodine such as found
in kelp is better retained and less readily lost in the urine than potassium
iodide . In thyroid deficiency caused by low iodine intake in certain experimental
animals, there was loss of hair as noted by Cuthbertson . This indicated
the importance of an adequate supply of iodine and its formation into thyroxine
for hair growth to proceed normally and at optimal levels. Thyroxine then
stimulates a spontaneous replacement of hair in intact and thyroid hormone
deficient animals . The cycle of growth remains normal regardless of how
activity is initiated in the follicle. The mechanism of thyroid action
on hair growth is not known, but it is believed that this may enhance the
utilization of essential nutrients by the follicle . Perhaps thyroxine
stimulates the skin and hair follicles directly and acts at the mydocondrial
level of organization on exidited enzyme systems.
Folic Acid
and B12
An adequate supply of nucleic acids for formation of nucleo-proteins
must be present at the hair follicle site for adequate and healthy hair
growth to occur. both folic acid and vitamin B12 appear to be separately
concerned with production of nucleic acids . Some believe that vitamin
B12 is concerned with the synthesis of uracil, one of the building blocks
of RNA and that folic acid converts uracil to thiamine, which is found
in the RNA as a very necessary component . It has been noted that persons
made deficient in folic acid often become completely bald, but the hair
grows in normally after the vitamin is given . reference is made to the
article by Sieve in which lack of folic acid is one of the components which
cause graying of hair with restoration to its natural color when replacement
therapy was given. A folic acid deficiency prevents dozens of important
physiological functions: interferes with the utilization of sugar and amino
acids, stops all cell division and healing, and causes the hair, eyebrows
and eyelashes to fall out . Almost all of these functions are related to
adequate and healthy hair growth. The folic acid / tetrafolic acid system
provides a unique mechanism for the reduction of carbon to methyl that
can be transferred to a methyl acceptor. This is the explanation of the
synthesis of choline, creatine and other methyl containing metabolites
in animals fed diets deficient in sources of preformed methyl. Thus the
folic acid / tetrafolic acid system is a vital part of the metabolism of
man and is very important in the synthesis of hair follicle proteins and
structural compounds. The folic acid / tetrafolic acid system by reversed
reactions also provides a mechanism for the addition of partially oxidized
carbon during the synthesis of serinen to such structures as the purine
and pyrimidine rings . Duncan has described folic acid deficiency as possibly
the most common vitamin deficiency in North America today. Its prevalence
seems to be on the increase and responsibility for this at least in part
rests on the exclusion of folic acid from many diets in this country today.
Many physicians hesitate to give folic acid and many patients hesitate
to take folic acid because of the fear that it might correct the anemia
of certain B12 deficiencies while allowing neurological manifestations
to progress. According to Duncan there may be many reasons for the deficiency
of folate including dietary lack, impaired absorption, increased requirements,
antagonism from drugs prescribed for patients and lack of protection of
folate coenzymes that is related to either vitamin C or iron deficiency.
Studies show that vitamin B12 is closely related in function to four of
the important amino acids or forms of protein, folic acid, and pantothenic
acid. Thus without vitamin B12, the function of the nutritional elements
may not be optimal . Duncan has also pointed out the function of vitamin
B12 in immediate reduction and isomerization reactions. It is intimately
related metabolically with folic acid. In this regard, vitamin B12 can
alter the reduction level of the single carbon units transferred by folic
acid coenzymes. It participates in the reduction of ribos to deoxy ribos,
converting uracil ribotide to uracil deoxyribotide prior to the addition
of a single carbon unit by folic acid coenzyme to form thiamine deoxyribotide.
In addition, vitamin B12 is an accessory to folic acid in some transmethylation
reactions and may be necessary for the activity of folic acid conjugases.
The conversion of methyl malonyl CoA to succinyl CoA requires vitamin B12,
and in the deficiency state, large amounts of methyl malonylate are excreted
in the urine. For all the reasons cited above and to somewhat repeat myself,
it is important for any actively growing tissues such as the hair follicle
to have adequate supplies of folic acid and vitamin B12 present daily for
optimal hair growth and for healthy hair growth to occur.
Choline and Inositol
Choline and inositol are also very important for the metabolism
of hair both in a direct and indirect manner.
It has been noted that thyroxine cannot be made without choline and that
rats become hairless if kept on diets low in inositol . Inositol was mentioned
in the Science Newsletter ( in 1956. It was stated there that inositol
was needed for growth and survival of cells and bone marrow, eye membranes,
embryos, gut and other rapidly growing tissues like hair follicles. Inositol
has been known to appear in human hair with speculation as to its value
in restoring color to gray hair. In the book "Inositol" published by Corn
Products Sales Company, Many observed physiological values of inositol
are listed. Choline is important in methylation reactions that result in
the formation of thiamines and thymydylic acids from uracil and deoxyuridilic,
respectively. Of great importance is the occurrence of additional methylation
reactions that are believed to occur after nucleatides are built into polymeric,
macro molecular nucleic acids . Changes in hair pigment were produced by
omission of choline or pantothenic acid from the diet and Wooley showed
the relationship of choline and inositol to growth of hair in animal experiments.
Engle (65) found inositol to be an essential growth factor for normal cells
including hair follicle cells. And Wooley showed that spontaneous cure
of alopecia (hair loss) in animals was dependent on an adequate supply
of inositol. In light of the apparently essential role that choline and
inositol play in the growth and proper nutrition of hair cells, it would
be certainly logical to include both of these important compounds in any
formula supplying the needs of the hair.
Pantothenic
acid
and its calcium salt, calcium pantothenate are also quite
important in hair growth and in nutrition of the actively growing hair
follicle cells. As previously mentioned in a paper by Owens changes in
hair pigment were produced by omission of either choline or pantothenic
acid from the diet. Pantothenic acid was found by Wooley to influence alopecia
in animal experiments. Flesch has noted that one of the deficiencies said
to cause impaired hair growth is pantothenic acid. Deficiency of pantothenic
acid and riboflavin in black children not only caused depigmentation, but
made their hair grow straight . This deficiency seems to be associated
with the utilization of copper. The skin of rats deficient in pantothenic
acid may contain as much as five times the amount of copper in normal skin,
ie: the copper cannot be utilized and accumulates . One can therefore see
the complex relationship of the vitamins and minerals to each other and
to the proper growth of the hair follicle cells. Pantothenic acid and inositol
functions are related in that too little pantothenic acid in the diet appears
to disrupt the function of inositol . Rodell's book on the vitamins gives
a number of references to graying of hair and paraminobenzoic acid and
panthenol as well as the efficiency of unsaturated fatty acids when adequate
supplies of pantothenic acid are present. It should be pointed out that
where unsaturated fatty acid deficiencies are present you may find dry
skin, brittle, lusterless falling hair and dandruff. Therefore, the pantothenic
acid appears to have a rather protective effect on these unsaturated fatty
acids. Reference is also made by an article in the British Medical Journal
to restoration of color to gray hair using pantothenic acid in certain
experiments. Pantothenic acid functions and is present in all living
cells, mostly in the form of coenzyme A. CoA is the cofactor of one of
the most important enzymes of intermediate metabolism. It is formed by
joining pantothenic acid with other materials to form a structure of coenzyme
A. CoA activates acetate by converting it to an acetyl CoA. The pivotal
compound for many pathways. Duncan states that acetyl CoA is concerned
with #1 - acetylation of choline, aromatic amins and other substances detoxified
by acetylation; #2 - synthesis of fatty acids, acetoacetic acid, cholesterol
and styroids; and #3 - oxidation of pyruvate. For our purposes in designing
a formula which would help stimulate the metabolism of the hair follicle,
the third is the most important. In the metabolism of glucose and other
substances, pyruvate plays a pivotal role. In order to enter the Kreb cycle
and produce energy by oxidation it is necessary to change pyruvate to acetate
in order for the two carbon acetates to enter the Kreb cycle. Without adequate
supplies of coenzyme A this will be impossible and the hair follicle nutrition
will suffer. Therefore, it is an absolute necessity that pantothenic acid
be added to this formula. X. Paramino Benzoic Acid (PABA) In the experiment
by Sieve the lack of copper, folic acid, pantothenic acid and PABA influences
the intestinal bacteria so that they can produce folic acid and folic acid
in turn helps the body to assimilate pantothenic acid. Ansbacher also seems
to give corroboration to the theory of the action of PABA and pantothenic
acid in protecting the natural color of the hair.
Niacin
Those preceding nutrients in the B complex and niacin have
been found to be very important in the nutrition of various experimental
animals and the vitamin B complex taken over long periods has been found
to restore human hair pigmentation . There was also an article by Hudgins
concerning the peripheral blood vessel dilating effect of niacin which
would include, of course, the blood vessels of the scalp. Frost has noted
that dietary deficiencies of certain vitamins can cause achromotrichia
(problems with hair color). Bullough has shown that there is a known dependence
of epidermal mycosis on the active respiration of the epidermal cells.
His experiments show that this was also similarly dependent in the follicular
matrix. Energy produced through the oxidation of carbohydrates is the primary
source of the energy necessary for synthesis of hair cells or of hair in
the follicle. Both in the oxidation of glucose and glycogen and in the
formation of glycogen from its precursors. This is doubly important in
the hair follicle cell since the synthetic potential of the proliferating
cells of the follicle bulb is high relative to that of other tissues .
In summary, certain vitamins, minerals and amino-acids are crucial to the
metabolic pathways involved in keratin protein metabolism. Without the
nutrients cited, the hair growth process will slow or cease.
Biotin -
helps in the formation of fatty acids, metabolism of amino acids, and promotes
healthy hair skin and nails.
L-Cysteine -
an amino acid which contains sulfur and functions as a building block for
all proteins
L-Tyrosine
- an amino acid when metabolized provides mellanin (hair color)
Methionine -
necessary for the sythesis of cysteine and taurine
B-Vitamins
- essential for hair grow
Vitamin A
- necessary for hair growth but mega doses may have a reverse effect
Vitamin C -
needed for metabolizing folic acid, tyrosine, and iron. Helps form collagen
Vitamin E
- necessary for hair growth but mega doses may have a reverse effect
You should not order our supplements if:
1) You are pregnant without first consulting with your Doctor.
2) You are taking a MAO inhibitor(s).
3) You are taking anti-depressant drugs.
4) You are under the age of 16.
5) You are allergic to any of the ingredients (see below)
6) You are diabetic.
7) You have high blood pressure.
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