Although hair loss is a mainstream condition, most people fail to realize that permanent hair loss is a disease. Hair loss affects nearly 40% of all men and women in their respective lifetimes. The view of hair loss and its social impact varies between the two sexes. Men often view hair loss as a fact of life, while women view it as a cosmetic tragedy. Regardless of individual opinion, it is important to understand why this condition occurs and the treatment options (both medicinal and natural) that currently exist.

Hair loss can range from mild thinning to complete baldness. When the loss of hair is constant, it can negate personal coping strategies for self-acceptance. Despite what many experts say, in our appearance-laden culture, your personal value or self-worth is (sadly) often defined by your outer appearance. In fact, its been reported that:

• 93% of men and women think about hair loss
• 88% of these persons feel frustrated and helpless about their condition

However, this does not mean that individuals should let intimidation and helplessness keep them from taking steps to prevent future hair loss. Instead, hair loss sufferers should address the cause through the approaches of modern medicine and nutritional supplementation. Concerning those with hair loss issues: individuals who take the initiative to understand and manage their condition are often the ones that feel best about themselves.

Minimize your hair loss and maximize its re-growth with the unique combination of herbs, vitamins, and amino acids, found in Progressive Health's popular hair loss formula, Advecia. By inhibiting the damaging effects of 5-alpha-reductase, Advecia can help slow or even possibly stop the damaging effects of hair loss.

Hair Loss; Defined:

Hair is cyclical, and goes through a pattern or number of distinct phases. The anagen phase is the growing phase; catagen is referred to a transitional phase between growth and follicle resting; and lastly, the telogen phase is the cessation of growth. The telogen or latent phase is when hair loss occurs. Over the course of our lifetimes, a single hair follicle may undergo as many as 10 to 20 of these anagen-catagen-telogen cycles. This may seem excessive, but keep in mind that the telogen phase only encompasses 10-15% of hair follicles and lasts only 100 to 200 days. On the other hand, 85-95% of our body hairs are in a constant growth (anagen) phase. So how does hair loss occur amidst all this growth?

Normally, we lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day as a result of our normal hair cycle. However, when this cycle is abnormal and hair loss is no longer falling out in a natural, random pattern, you may develop a temporary or ongoing disease state. This is termed Alopecia. Unfortunately, certain individuals are predisposed to the types of hair loss which progress into this disease state. Physical harm to the scalp, certain medications, excessive use of styling products, surgical procedures, severe infection, eating disorders, and certain physiological conditions, such as thyroid disease, are other causes of temporary or permanent hair loss.

Primary Cause of Hair Loss:

The top influences for hair loss are genetic in nature. For instance, male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is thought to result from such genetic predisposition. Scientists are still trying to discover the exact mechanisms, or genetic blueprints, that influence hair loss as a whole; but most agree that hair loss is polygenic, or is caused by several genes rather than one specific genome. In addition, the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is thought to be another causative agent concerning hereditary hair loss. New drugs aimed to block this enzyme's action have proved successful in slowing down the progression of hair loss. The inhibition of specific growth factors (e.g. TGF-beta2) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent androgen, has also been effective in numerous clinical studies aimed at treating hair loss. However, genetic susceptibility, such as hair follicle sensitivity, hormones, and androgens, are still thought to be the main factors influencing permanent hair loss in both sexes.

Types of Hair Loss:

The most common form of hair loss is Androgenic Alopecia, or male pattern baldness. Other types of hair loss include:

• Traumatic Alopecia - results from hair being torn out of the scalp;

• Drug-induced Alopecia - hair loss caused by the administration of a given medication;

• Alopecia Areata - or patchy hair loss, is thought to occur from a immunological disorder and is usually reversible.

Are you at risk?

There are blood measurements that can be done to define existing levels of enzymes and androgens, but realistically, there is no definitive test to determine if a given individual will or will not lose hair. Although the causes of permanent hair loss are genetic, the likelihood of one developing the disease is not necessarily solely dependent on the genes obtained from your mother's side of the family. It has been clearly established that both parents contribute to a child's risk for developing hair loss. However, some individuals with no family history also develop permanent hair loss. Additionally, Asian men are less likely then Caucasians to develop baldness. On average, Asian men develop balding patterns nearly a decade later than whites. African-Americans are approximately 4 times less likely to suffer from abnormal hair loss than persons of other descent.

Standard Treatment Options:

A doctor will usually diagnose your hair loss on the basis of physical examination and your medical history. This entails evaluating what medications you are currently taking, dietary and nutritional status, and hairdressing/grooming habits. Blood tests and a biopsy of hair is used by specialists to determine the integrity of a given hair follicle. This evaluation is used to establish the underlying cause of the hair thinning/balding, and to decide what treatment options will prove most effective. In addition, hair samples can also detect infection within the scalp. Traditional medicines include:

• Minoxidil – used for hair regrowth and to inhibit any additional loss of hair
• Tretinion- decreases dermal layers on scalp to further the penetration of applied products containing minoxidil
• Finasteride (Propecia)
• Hair Transplantation
• Topical or Injectable Steroid Treatments
• Radiation Therapy (PUVA)

Yes. Both diet and nutritional supplementation can provide a positive influence on hair growth and hair health, as deficiencies of specific nutrients can actually promote a loss of hair. For example, B-vitamins and the mineral zinc are common nutrients found in diet that can aid cell renewal and enhance the factors responsible for hair growth. There is no doubt that an adequate is advantageous for hair health. However, Advecia's synergistic blend takes nutritional application one step further, by including specific nutrients that are not easily obtained from dietary sources alone.

A U.S. patent has been issued for L-lysine, concerning its ability to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase and subsequent management of various forms of hair loss. Advecia not only includes L-lysine in its ingredient list, but also another amino acid responsible for increasing the nitric oxide used by hair to promote new hair growth, L-Arginine. Saw Palmetto and Beta-sisterol (a phytosterol common to many plants and grain sources) are also key inclusions. Saw palmetto has been used for centuries to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia, due to its ability to inhibit testosterone's action upon the prostate gland. Like L-lysine, saw palmetto blocks 5-alpha-reductase, effectively reducing DHT uptake by hair follicles and blocking the binding of DHT upon androgen receptors.

Agents from green tea, such as catechins, (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and (-) epicatechin-3-gallate, are more potent than those found in other plant species. These agents have been shown in clinical studies to reduce testosterone's conversion to DHT - processes thought to enhance one's physiological potential for hair loss. Lastly, we implemented beneficial proanthocyanidins and procyanidins (flavonoids found in woody plants) when developing this unique hair loss formula. One of the more common sources, grape seed, has been shown to stimulate epithelial cell growth and "check" the growth-inhibiting effect caused by TGF-beta2. A study published in 2004 supports the addition of this nutrient, recommending an inclusion of proanthocyanidins in diet as a means to support existing hair loss therapies.

Hair loss is a very complex process. Genetics are a determinant and dictate what a person's hair line will become. Advecia has been developed with this premise in mind:

We understand that most people will do whatever is within their power to prevent hair loss and to improve the current health of their existing hair. We also realize that manufacturer's costs often outweigh the benefits you may (or may not) derive from the use of their so-called "miracle" products. Regardless, the earlier an effective treatment option for hair loss is implemented, the better chance you'll have of saving hair that has not yet been affected. And because today's medical treatments do not work 100% of the time, Advecia is your natural alternative, that is effective. By using ingredients backed by current research, Advecia allows you to take an aggressive stance against hair loss at its outset and when trying to maintain existing, healthy hair.

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