Reverse balding without Pharma’s new “danger drug”

I realize that hair loss can be devastating for anyone – both men and women. [Click here](1770d7/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3AIqIvGjaQA) to view this message in your browser | [Click here](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AIqIvGjaQA) to stop receiving our messages [] [] Al Sears, MD 11905 Southern Blvd. Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 [] May 30, 2022 [] Reader, I realize that hair loss can be devastating for anyone – both men and women. And that watching your receding hairline or bald spot get bigger and bigger can make you feel desperate enough to try anything to make it grow back. That’s why I was so concerned when I heard about an FDA-approved Big Pharma drug trial on baricitinib, a rheumatoid arthritis med, that its maker claims can regrow hair. I advise you not to be tempted. According to the FDA’s own warning, the drug carries the risk of developing some extremely serious side effects.1 Baricitinib, which is sold under the brand name olumiant, is a Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitor. It works by disrupting the body’s ability to communicate with proteins called cytokines, which are associated with inflammation. Its maker, drug giant Eli Lilly, has been desperate to find other revenue lines for this dangerous prescription. Most recently, it has been trying to push baricitinib as an anti-Covid med. I don’t recommend it for rheumatoid arthritis or as an anti-Covid treatment, and I certainly don’t recommend it for hair loss. Its long list of side effects includes: - Shortness of breath - Chest pain or pressure that may spread to your jaw, shoulder, arms, or back - Nausea, fever, vomiting, cold sweat - Light-headedness and dizziness - Slurred speech - Pain or swelling, in an arm or a leg - Fatigue - Wheezing and trouble breathing According to the FDA, baricitinib can also increase your risk of developing cancers, such as lymphoma or lung cancer, as well as heart attack, blood clots, and stroke. Phase III trials appear to show the drug works against hair loss – especially with the condition alopecia areata – by interrupting the messaging between your hair follicles and the immune cells that are attacking hair follicles. I don’t believe the drug is worth the risk. The good news is that there are much safer and more natural ways to combat hair loss. It’s true that the real source of healthy hair lies in your follicles. The problem is that damaged or stressed follicles stop producing hair. But that doesn’t mean the follicles are dead. Here at the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine, I use plant stem cell extracts to renourish aging hair follicles. This encourages them to begin the growth cycle of hair again. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that stem cells are the natural cells in your body that repair dying tissue – and we depend on our hair follicle stem cells to produce new hairs. Give your follicles more energy and strength By taking certain natural ingredients, studies show you can coax follicle stem cells to begin regrowing hair. Here’s what I tell my patients: - First, nourish your hair follicles with vitamin B3. Also known as niacinamide, this vitamin restores levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and feeds your hair follicle stem cells to grow new hair. It works by boosting blood circulation to the scalp and reducing inflammation. In a study of 60 women with alopecia, dermatologists instructed half to massage a NAD serum onto their scalps every day. The other half used a placebo. After four weeks, the women in the placebo group saw no results. But those that used the B3 serum saw new growth where hair hadn’t grown in years.2 Look for serums that contain niacinamide to apply directly to your scalp. Make sure any product you buy has at least 5% niacinamide. You should see results in four to six weeks. - Then supplement with saw palmetto: Saw palmetto is rich in beta-sitosterol. It inhibits the formation of DHT, the hormone responsible for male-pattern baldness. An important study examined people between the ages of 23 and 64 with hair loss. The people received either beta-sitosterol or a placebo. A whopping 60% of the people receiving beta-sitosterol had improved hair growth. They also lost less hair than the placebo group.3 I recommend getting at least 300 mg of beta-sitosterol every day with a saw palmetto supplement. - Finally, rub black cumin seed oil into your scalp: Like saw palmetto, black cumin seed (nigella sativa) oil is rich in beta-sitosterol. In one study, a group of people were treated with black cumin seed oil for three months. Results showed that 90% had increased hair thickness.4 Look for black cumin seeds at health food stores or online. But don’t confuse them with cumin. Look for 100% pure oil pressed from black cumin seeds. Rub it into your hair and scalp. Natural therapy regrows 40% of lost hair At my clinic, I combine these follicle-stimulating nutrients with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP is a simple treatment that involves injecting growth factors from your own blood back into your scalp. It uses your body’s own platelets to attract stem cells to any injured or damaged area. PRP works because plasma is also your body’s natural reservoir for hundreds of proteins called growth factors. When PRP is injected into an injured area, these powerful growth factors promote healing and regenerate injured tissue. Studies show it works. In one study, 78% of patients – male and female –regrew between 30% and 40% of the hair they lost.5 If you’d like to learn more about PRP therapy for hair loss, please call the Sears Institute for Anti-Aging Medicine at 561-784-7852. My staff will be happy to answer all your questions. To Your Good Health, [Al Sears, MD] Al Sears, MD, CNS --------------------------------------------------------------- References: 1. “U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA requires warnings about increased risk of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots, and death for JAK inhibitors that treat certain chronic inflammatory conditions.” Dec. 7. 2021. Available at: 2. Draelos ZD, et al. “A pilot study evaluating the efficacy of topically applied niacin derivatives for treatment of female pattern alopecia.” J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005;4(4):258-61. 3. Prager N, et al. “A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.” J Altern Complement Med 2002; 8(2): 143-152. 4. Sudhir P, et al. “Nigella sativa seed, a novel beauty care ingredient: A review.” Int J Pham Sci Res. 2016;3:3185-3196. 5. Stevens J and Khetarpal S. “Platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: A review of the literature and proposed treatment protocol.” Int J Womens Dermatol. 2019 Feb;5(1):46–51. alsearsmd@send.alsearsmd.com [Preferences | Unsubscribe](1770d7/l-002e/zout?sid=TV2%3AIqIvGjaQA) 11905 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach, Florida 33411, United States