Hair Therapy & Transplantation
Open Access

Abstract

Low Anabolic Profile in Assessing a Patient's Overall Hair Loss

Lawrence J. Shapiro and Douglas B. Shapiro

Today’s society recognizes how supplementation affects the body physiologically; conversely society does not understand the hidden side effects supplementation has on hair. This paper investigates and explains how hair loss is affected by various supplements. This paper was written in order to provide current and future hair loss professionals with an understanding of the numerous biochemical pathways that cause hair loss, and a method to evaluate, educate, and correct patients, resulting in hair loss prevention, growth, and/or faster regrowth. Supplements previously studied were included in this paper and explored further with relativity to the hair. These supplements include: anabolic steroids, creatine, growth hormone, androstenedione/similar pro-hormones, whey protein isolate(WPI), arginine, orthinine, DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), carnivores vs. vegetarians, soy, iodine, egg whites, and caffeine. In finding, particular supplements have a negative effect on hair loss (as illuminated through various metabolic pathways presented in this research). Specifically, whey protein isolate, growth hormones (GH), and anabolic precursors result in the highest amount of hair loss. Review of the patient’s supplements allows the medical practitioner to develop a plan towards hair loss prevention.