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Regrow Your Hair, Starting Now
Green tea polyphenols inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that coverts testosterone to DHT. Since Propecia® works by this same mechanism, it makes sense that GTPs should affect hair loss in androgenetic alopecia.
In addition to inhibiting 5AR/DHT, green tea polyphenols are photoprotective, radioprotective, anti-inflammatory and highly antioxidant. They modulate immune function and apoptosis (programmed cell death). All of these properties have implications in various mechanisms of hair loss and follicle production. In 1995 and again in 2002, researchers in Chicago reported that green tea polyphenols, specifically EGC and EGCG, were selective inhibitors of 5 alpha reductases. They concluded that green tea polyphenols "may be useful for the prevention or treatment of androgen-dependent disorders," including androgenetic alopecia. They also identified polyphenols from apples, onions and strawberries as 5AR inhibitors. In 2003, Korean scientists reported that pretreatment with green tea polyphenols in mouse hair follicles decreased apoptosis (cell death) from radiation. (The importance of this finding is only clear if we understand the underlying mechanisms, which we will discuss later.)
The first study showing hair regrowth with GTP in an animal model was published by California researchers in 2005. After 6 months, 33% of test mice given green tea polyphenols in their drinking water had regrown lost hair. Control mice on ordinary water showed no regrowth. Another exciting finding of the California study was this: there was no further progression of hair loss in the GTP mice. Control mice continued to lose hair. This was also the first evidence of the systemic bioactivity of polyphenols in the hair follicle when taken in dietary form. Based on this study and hundreds of other papers confirming the benefits and safety of green tea in human health, I began recommending increased consumption of green tea to clients interested in hair growth in 2005. The full published paper and related material is available to New Science subscribers as a bonus download here. ...now in humans! Late in 2006, scientists in Seoul Korea confirmed the hair growth promoting effects of green tea polyphenols in human hair follicles. "EGCG," said the Korean team, "promoted hair growth in [human] hair follicles" - both in cell cultures, and in the scalp. When you study large amounts of related data, patterns begin to emerge. In thousands of studies on polyphenols and flavonoids, it's clear that many of them have properties that will likely exert positive effects on follicle health. The question becomes: which ones are the most powerful and effective for hair growth and follicle production? To date, procyanidins, certain catechins, ellagic acid are the most closely studied. So... what have you done today to stop your hair loss? According to the new science, simply drinking polyphenol-rich green tea can promote hair growth, improve follicle health, and prevent further unwanted hair loss. Are you thirsty yet? What to do today: 1. Increase your intake of green tea polyphenols. This is fairly easy to do. Green tea is now available just about anywhere soft drinks are sold. Instead of drinking a Pepsi, reach for bottled green tea. Begin to replace the beverages you're drinking now (water, sodas, coffee) with green tea instead. Effective levels start at 40 oz per day. 2. Don't add milk. New Scientist magazine reported in January that adding milk to tea ruins its health benefits, by preventing the uptake of polyphenols. Green tea extracts are also available from many suppliers. We are working on a high potency fluoride-free green tea extract with one of our suppliers. When we have a superior product for you, I will let you know. In the meantime, at least start taking GTP in tea form every day. How many of these three methods are you using now? So far in this series, we've looked at three very practical ways to improve the health of your hair follicles and begin to "tip the balance" back toward better hair growth. The benefits are cumulative: the more of them you are doing every day, the better for your follicle production. To review: apple procyanidins, a metabolite of vitamin C, and green tea polyphenols show ability to increase follicle health and promote your hair growth. And you should get started with all of them as soon as you can. Next time, we'll look a newly discovered factor that scientists are hailing as "the next target for innovative treatment" in hair loss. Until then… Don’t you dare give up!
"Once I started taking Apple Poly internally as well as putting it on my head, my hair grew back fully and beautifully. Do whatever you have to do to keep using it!" - Julia Diaz, Lakewood CO |
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