A Role for Probiotics in Hair Loss? – WholeFoods Magazine

Thinning scalp hair shouldn’t be a big deal, given that its primary job—to protect against cold and sun—is easily satisfied with a hat or sunscreen. But a thick shiny head of hair also signals health and fertility in the mammalian kingdom, a role that is upended by age and disease in the prism of natural selection. In healthy young men, genetic inheritance can lead to premature balding, often causing social and psychological stress (though shaved heads are fashionable).

A cure is elusive. Though treatments are numerous (drugs, hormones, transplants), less-than-perfect results, costs, and side effects propel researchers to identify a better option.

The microbiome of the skin and gut are areas of interest.

Hair loss, in brief

Under normal conditions, humans lose about 50–100 hairs daily. But if loss exceeds that, then it is a symptom of alopecia, an umbrella term for many types of hair loss. Alopecia can be caused by genetic hormonal disturbances, psychological conditions (depression, and stress), poor nutrition, chemotherapy, and others.

Each hair follicle cycles through four phases: growth or anagen, transition or catagen, resting or telogen, and returning growth. A full cycle can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years per follicle. Unusual hair loss and thinning occur when a follicle is stuck in the telogen or resting phase.

The most common form of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia, caused a genetically determined excessive response to androgens. Men with this condition, called male pattern baldness, can begin suffering hair loss as early as their teens or early 20s. Women too can be afflicted, but commonly at a later age.

Several treatment medications including minoxidil and finasteride are popular but may come with side effects. Various other treatments for hair loss are available: natural products, pills, hormonal modifications, hair transplants, restorations, extensions, stem cell treatment, and platelet-rich plasma. Effectiveness is variable, making a search for a perfect solution ongoing.

Another type, alopecia areata, is strongly linked to autoimmune reactions causing inflammations at the site of the hair follicle. Autoimmune responses can lead to collapse of the hair follicle. Genetic disposition, environmental factors, and the skin microbiome may influence the condition as well.

Skin microbiome in alopecia areata

Compared to healthy subjects, those with alopecia areata in a small study hosted at the genus level an increase of Propionibacterium (reclassified as Cutibacterium) and a decrease of Staphylococcus. A higher abundance of pathogenic taxa in the hair follicle can lead to infections and can contribute to a pro-inflammatory state on the scalp.

Gut microbiome in alopecia areata

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Source: https://wholefoodsmagazine.com/blog/a-role-for-probiotics-in-hair-loss/