Massage therapists are expensive. Chiropractors and physical therapists are even more so. But with today’s high-stress lifestyles, muscle tension is a common problem. Looking for an affordable way to relieve that muscle tension, many Americans are turning to the Massage Mouse. Read More

So, you want to know what is the best cream for anti-aging? Why not look to what celebrities use? Celebrities are photographed wherever they go. The flash of the camera, the angle of the shot; it all matters in how these pictures turn out. And they never know where they will find their own image next. Whether it is a picture in the newspaper, magazine, website, or a tabloid, celebrities have to put their best face forward every day. Read More

Most people are surprised to learn that 50% of women will suffer hair loss, in their lifetime. People tend to think of hair loss as a problem exclusive to men. Many women will not experience hair loss until their 50’s and 60’s, but the condition is nonetheless embarrassing and upsetting for the women who suffer from it. Some women begin losing hair much earlier, even within the teenage years.

For most women, the culprit is androgenetic alopecia. This means androgens (hormones) and genetics (heredity) are to blame for their hair loss. 30 million women in the U.S. are currently affected by androgenetic alopecia, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Therefore, physicians will generally first suspect androgenetic alopecia as a cause for a female patient’s hair loss and will first look for signs of this disorder. The patient will be asked about family history of female hair loss. Did mom or grandma suffer from it?

Then, the physician will look at her hair under magnification. A key indicator of androgenetic alopecia is hairs that vary in thickness, as hair follicles slowly shrink away in this condition. If hair size is uniform, then another cause for hair loss is likely.

Some other less common causes for female hair loss include autoimmune diseases (like alopecia areata which attacks the hair follicles directly), psoriasis, polycystic ovary syndrome, aggressive hair treatments (colorations, perms, etc.), and a stressful lifestyle. Stress should be managed in healthy ways to help reduce its impact on the body. Exercise, meditation, and rest are recommended.

Dietary concerns are sometimes factors contributing to hair loss in women. Some of the culprits include protein deficiency or excess, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, and extreme dieting. Identifying any dietary contributors to hair loss can empower a woman to slow or, in some cases, stop her hair loss.









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Hair loss is a devastating experience for the men and women who experience it. The vast majority of hair loss (alopecia) is related to genetic and hormonal factors in the body. But stress has also been suspected and is currently being studied for its connection to hair loss.

One example of how hair loss has been linked to stress is a disorder called alopecia areata. This autoimmune disease is a disease that causes the body to attack its own hair follicles. This may not be just hair on the scalp. Other connections to stress are a little more unsure, at this point.

For example, it is known that the hair follicles are surrounded by nerves. Nerve cells create certain substances like neuropeptides. One of these neuropeptides is called substance P. Substance P aids in the transmission process of the sensation of pain. If not functioning correctly, inflammation of the nerves and thus the hair follicles can be the result. Studies have shown that, in mice, the addition of substance P can impact the hair growth cycle, increasing growth.

A chemical released by nerves under stress, cortisol has been linked to illness and weight gain. In hair loss, a recent breakthrough discovery found that the hair follicles actually have extra adrenal sites for the synthesis of cortisol. This means that somehow, the stress response affects the hair follicle through cortisol.

Based on these facts, scientists continue to experiment with hair loss treatments that directly treat the nerves surrounding the hair follicles. For example, capsaicin has been used in scalp creams. A derivative of the chili pepper, capsaicin, stimulates the production of substance P and may thus stimulate hair growth, as it reduces inflammation of the nerves on the scalp. More research is needed to determine if anti-stress treatments can be effective in reducing or reversing hair loss.







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Most people are shocked to learn that the average person loses 50-100 strands of hair every day. While it may be a large number, this is just a normal part of moving through the hair growth cycle. But, for others, hair loss extends beyond the usual amount and much of what falls out slowly stops growing back.

True hair loss is usually caused by genetic and hormonal factors in the body. Sometimes excessive hair treatments, stress, and scalp diseases are connected to the hair loss. Diet is also a common partial cause of hair loss, even if the primary cause is genetic, because a poor diet can accelerate the balding process.

Zinc deficiencies have been linked to significant hair loss. Zinc is imperative for the health of the skin, including the areas containing the hair follicles. Without this key mineral, the hair follicles will suffer and hair will begin to fall out in patches.

Excessive animal protein and fat (burgers and hot dogs anyone?) have been linked to the acceleration of male pattern balding. Those who are already programmed to lose their hair, due to grandpa’s genes, will lose it much faster than they need to if they eat a poor diet and live a stressful lifestyle.

Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other key nutrients are vital to the growth of healthy hair. The American diet is short on many of these and, depending on the individual’s eating patterns, may be missing some of these altogether. A lack of protein can cause hair loss, but this is rare in America, except among extreme dieters and vegans.

A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean meats is the preferred way to nourish the hair, not to mention the rest of the body. If you are suffering from hair loss, you may not be able to stop it, but you might slow it down with a healthy whole foods diet.









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Other than getting sunburned, hair loss sufferers do not experience physical suffering from their condition. But their emotional suffering may be extensive, because of the shame and embarrassment of hair loss. Ever seeking solutions for the discomfort that they feel, hair loss sufferers look to experts for advice.

Natural health practitioners have examined the American diet, to identify specific factors that can contribute to hair loss. A lack of protein is not common, in the American diet, but vegans and extreme dieters with too little of this nutrient may cause hair loss.

For most Americans, however, it is the excessive animal protein and animal fat that lead to excessive hair loss. Even those with genetic causes for hair loss may find their condition accelerated by a poor diet. The processed American diet is short on vitamins, minerals (like zinc), and other key nutrients needed for healthy hair. Excessive salt, often coming along with the animal proteins and fats, also add to the problem.

Another area that needs to be addressed, by those looking for help with hair loss, is scalp health. Do you suffer from dandruff, eczema, psoriasis, or any other scalp condition? These can not only affect the scalp but will affect the hair follicles within the scalp, if extensive enough. This means that the inflammation caused by the condition can damage the hair follicles and thus limit hair growth.

Experts agree that a well-rounded, nutritious diet, a healthy means of managing stress, and the treatment of any scalp conditions can give an individual the best chance at slowing hair loss. Beyond that, hair loss sufferers must go to the professionals to seek treatment for the hair loss they’ve already sustained.







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