Hair growth hormone supplements - hormonal supplements to prevent hair loss

Hormone Supplements

Role of Hormones in Hair Growth
There are many hormones that govern the growth of hair in men and women. For example testosterone in men governs beard, body hair and hair in the armpits. And estrogen in women prevents hair growth on the chin and preserves frontal hair. Women develop hair loss and balding where there is disturbance in hormone level. Excess hormonal action on the follicle prevents cell growth on the follicles there by retards the hair growth.

Hormones act for and against hair growth. While some hormones block hair growth, others help hair growth. Androgenetic alopecia is a condition of hair loss caused by sensitivity to male hormones, it exists both in men and women. Many men and women in their 40s tend to loose the level of hair growth hormones, hence take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as an option to treat male/female pattern baldness. Besides HRT there are many natural hormonal supplements which can be used as alternatives to restore the hair growth but also for many other ailments. Since hormones play key roles in the regulation of hair growth/loss, there are several hormonal supplements are available in the markets. All those hormonal supplements can be classified into synthetic supplements and herbal hormonal supplements. Given below is a list of hormones that regulate hair growth in humans.

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)
Di Hydro Epi Androsterone (DHEA)
Melatonin the sleep hormone
The natural progesterone
The natural bromelein

Human Growth Hormone
Human Growth Hormone (HGH) is secreted by pituitary gland. This hormone reaches its peak level during adolescence. Afterwards it starts decreasing. Humans produce 500 mg of growth hormone at the age of 20, 200 mg at the age of 40, and only 25 mg at 80. After adolescence one can take HGH supplements to promote muscle growth, increase sexual drive, supple skin and healthy hair. One can take natural hormone replacement pills or synthroids. But maintaining general health and nutrient intake is important.

Di Hydro Epi Androsterone (DHEA)
DHEA is a steroid found abundantly in the body. It is produced by the adrenal gland and converted to testosterone or estrogen by body tissues. DHEA is the building block for testosterone and estrogen. It is a very potent hormone. If taken improperly, it can increase facial hair growth, deepen the voice, shrink the testicles and develop male pattern baldness. Make sure not to take over the counter hormonal supplements like androstenedione, pregnenolone and DHEA, these may cause hair thinning. Instead one can always try FDA approved treatments for hair loss – Rogaine and Propecia. Propecia is a once-a-day oral pill which blocks the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that creates Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the male hormone that causes male pattern baldness. Rogaine is a topical lotion available that stimulates hair growth in both men and women. Other proven hormonal hair supplements are Avodart and Nizoral.

Melatonin
Melatonin increases anagen hair rate in women with androgenetic alopecia or diffuse alopecia. These hormones are the key factors that affect hair growth. There are some other factors and cytokines that influence hair growth. Some other hormones secreted from pituitary and thyroid play have significant effect on hair growth. The endogenous substances like basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor (pDGF), transforming growth factor beta (TGFb), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), macrophage stimulating protein (MSP), keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) that act in the sites like dermal papilla and hair matrix to enhance hair growth.