Lots of men struggle with male pattern baldness as they age, as do plenty of women. Tom Howarth reports for BBC Science Focus on what may be a new cure. It’s a sugar that we create naturally in our bodies.
The sugar is technically known as 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR). This sugar is critical to assorted biological processes in our bodies and those of animals.
The new research, published in the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology, shows that this sugar could be almost as effective as the generic drug minoxidil, without its side effects. Though it’s still early days. The sugar has only been tested on mice to date.
How does the sugar work? The theory is that it increases the blood going to hair follicles, which in turn spurs hair to grow.
The researchers think it’s possible that this naturally occurring sugar could also help people who lose their hair as a result of chemotherapy.
There’s still a lot to learn. We don’t yet fully understand the connection between blood flow to the hair follicles and hair growth.
Other research published in Frontiers of Pharmacology shows that millet seed oil might be an effective treatment for people with alopecia who lose their hair.
For now, most people use minoxidil or Rogaine to address hair loss. It can be used topically or orally. And, it tends to work. But, it does bring on side effects for some people including headaches, dizziness and nausea. Note: Minoxidil is also an anti-hypertensive.
Some people use Finasteride, which also has been found to slow hair loss and stimulate new growth.
Here’s more from Just Care: