Male Pattern Baldness and TCM Treatment

Written by Dr. Amy Nykoluk, DTCM

June is here, bringing with it lilac blooms, green trees, and of course a special day to celebrate the wonderful men in our lives, Father's Day.  I thought it would be a good time to focus on an issue that affects over 70% of all men, male pattern baldness (MPB), or androgenetic alopecia.  It's one of the most common and most feared signs of aging for men, and usually, before the problem is noticed cosmetically, over half of the hair has already fallen!

The incidence of balding of MPB is exactly related to the age of that man.  For instance, 20% of men in their 20's will be affected, and 30% of men in their 30's, and so on.  While there are may treatments out there and lots of information, over 40% of men are unsure or have been misinformed about their hair loss inheritance.  One common myth is that MPB is only passed down from ones maternal grandfather, which we now know is untrue.  MPB can be inherited from either parent.  Although for the most part, hair loss and MPB is genetic, it won't always happen exactly how your parents did.  There are many other factors that contribute to the speed and degree of hair fall; stress levels, certain medications, and smoking or drug use can all impact MPB.

So what does MPB look like?  Usually men will begin to notice their hairline gradually receding or moving back towards the back of the head, forming an M shape.  Over time, the hair becomes finer, shorter and thinner, and creates a U shape, or horseshoe on the head.

What causes the hair to fall out?  For men, it is triggered by dihydro-testosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of the breakdown of testosterone.  It causes the hair follicle to shrink, which in turn only allows for thinner and shorter hair to grow there. Eventually, DHT will stop the hair follicle from functioning altogether, and no new hair returns.

In order to treat baldness correctly, it must first be correctly diagnosed as MPB, and distinguished from other issues and types of hair loss.  Some people lose all the hair in patches all over the head, some have excessive hair breakage along the shaft, and sometimes baldness is accompanied by red, itchy, scaling skin on the scalp.  Usually the pattern of hair loss along with a careful examination of the scalp is enough to properly diagnose MPB.

Because MPB is not necessarily harmful to a man, treatment is only needed if he is bothered by the cosmetic look of baldness.  There are many expensive medications and creams that do work, but usually the hair will begin to fall again as soon as the meditations stop.  Hair transplants are quite common, a procedure where tiny plugs of hair are removed from healthy areas of the scalp and transferred to and inserted into balding areas.  This is very expensive, and usually requires many procedures, and can result in scarring and dangerous infections.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, we believe that the health and growth of the hair is very closely related to the amount and the circulation of blood in the body.  The liver stores the blood, and part of its job is to ensure it reaches the top and sides of the head.  If the liver is under too much pressure, due to a stressful lifestyle, it can't do its job properly, and blood flow to the head decreases.  Less blood means thinning and graying of hair.  The growth and development of our bodies, including our hair, is determined by the kidneys, especially the kidney essence.  Someone with strong kidney essence will have thick, glossy hair, that won't turn grey until much later in life.

How can TCM help with MPB?  It is almost always necessary to use a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and diet therapy to combat the effects of MPB.  A healthy, balanced diet is always important to good health, but eating foods to boost blood production and kidney function are key, including beef, pork, oysters, sardines, barley, rice, pears, dates, figs, kidney beans, carrots, peas, spinach, tomatoes, and artichokes.

There are many local area acupuncture points as well as points all over the body that can stimulate the production of blood as well as boost the kidneys function, and protect the essence.  Regular acupuncture sessions are key to ensuring the body stays in balance and the organs continue to do their jobs.  We need to ensure that digestion is happening properly to allow the spleen to turn the food and water we ingest into qi and blood.  We also use a 7-star needle, or a hammer style needle with seven points to gently tap all over the scalp, stimulating blood flow and the hair follicles.  This can also be done at home daily with a bristle brush.

Lastly, a herbal remedy is always necessary, as they are much more potent and able to shift the bodies internal environment quicker and more effectively than with just acupuncture alone.  Some of the most common herbs used for MPB are:

He Shou Wu - aka fo-ti or polygala vine - restorative tonic herb to the kidneys and blood, slows signs of premature graying and hair loss, stimulates hair growth and restores colour and brilliance.

Ren shen - ginseng - stimulates the blood, promotes cell metabolism, increases blood flow to the scalp, nourishing it and improving the efficiency of growth.

Wu Wei Zin - schizandria - known to cure baldness, helps in growth and quality of hair, also improves skin, nails and blood flow through the vessels.

Ji Xue Cao - gotu kola - one of the best herbs for hair loss, especially in cases of MPB, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, and is known to reduce anxiety, deepen sleep and improve memory.

Realizing that you or someone you may know is losing their hair can be a scary situation for a lot of people, but there are many natural safe ways to return the body to balance and slow or completely reverse the process.  Just because it appears someone is genetically prone to becoming bald, does not mean it's not treatable.  Book a TCM consultation and begin the process of turning it around, stopping the hair loss!  The only side effects will be a fuller head of hair, and a general improvement to overall health!

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin D?

Written by Janna Hattingh, BKin, CHN - Holistic Health & Nutrition

It seems like summer time is already here, with temperatures in the high 20’s, the sun shining and flip flops and tank tops making a welcome appearance, but are you really getting enough of that “sunshine vitamin” a.k.a., Vitamin D? 

A study published in the 2010 Canadian Medical Association Journal by Dr. David Hanley, M.D. at the University of Calgary associated vitamin D deficiency with nearly 100% of Canadians during some part of the year.  Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a multitude of health issues including, skin problems, sciatica, depression, Crohn’s, colorectal cancer, hearing loss, myopia (nearsightedness) and for some women, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

Vitamin D is made by the body most predominantly through the sun’s UVB rays permeating our skin and after a cascade of chemical reactions in the liver and kidneys, the active form of Vitamin D (Calciferol)is produced.  Vitamin D is the only vitamin that requires the entire body to participate in its formation. Any break in the chain will severely reduce its production and may lead to deficiency.Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning that it needs to be in the presence of fat to be properly absorbed and utilized by the body.  It is stored in the liver, skin, brain and bones and helps maintain proper functioning of the nervous system, muscle and heart tissues, bone strength/development, assists in prevention/reduction of kidney stones, improves mood and increases motivation and reduces dizziness while helping to restore balance in the body.

Vitamin D, for a few of the following examples, helps regulate our body’s calcium levels, the backbone (ha-ha) of our skeletal system. Not only does it help to prevent and even improve symptoms of osteoporosis, it also helps to prevent hearing loss.  What did you say?  Hearing loss! Our ears have tiny bones in them which helps conduct noise vibrations and stimulate our brain to hear and interpret sound and maintain proper equilibrium.  Degeneration of these bones due to vitamin D and calcium deficiency has been linked with premature hearing loss as well as balance issues.

Vitamin D’s incredibly strong influence on calcium absorption also contributes to weight loss/management.A study in 2000 from the Nutritional Institute and Knoxville, TN showed that having ideal levels of calcium in the body helps increase metabolism and burn body fat over 30% more efficiently than without.

Vitamin D helps calcium maintain all the electrical activity in our body from helping our muscles lift that extra ten pounds at the gym to tingles in our toes from sitting too long and even to those connections in our brain that helps us remember to pick up eggs on the way home.  It’s vital for our nervous system to work properly.

Its impact is so large that it’s even thought of as the vitamin that most closely resembles a hormone because of its huge impact on other organs and organ systems. Vitamin D helps your body activate the release of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters in your brain that combat depression and improve mood and feelings of motivation and intention.

Man, that is one powerful vitamin!  So, how exactly can you improve your levels of vitamin D?

It has been suggested that adequate sun exposure for vitamin D to be made by body is 20% of skin exposed (hands and face only account for 5%)for 30 minutes a day… at sea level.  Harvard University stated that vitamin D absorption is little to none, except during the summer months at locations above the 37th parallel (roughly Santa Cruz, California).  So, with Calgary being 3500ft above sea level, and at the 51st parallel, what does that mean for us?

Calgary, is a feast or famine kind of city when it comes to getting enough vitamin D.  In November, we would have to spend almost 3 hours in midday sun in a tank top to make the bare minimum requirements of vitamin D as opposed to spending 5-10 minutes wearing a bikini in late July (without sunscreen).  I don’t know about you, but I certainly wouldn’t be one to be standing outside in a tank top in November to ward off rickets for the day. 

So, how else can we get our vitamin D?  Food sources of vitamin D include natural animal sources such as unpasteurized dairy products, free-range, organic eggs, butter, and rich meats especially due to the fat present and if you’re looking for vegetable sources, choose mushrooms and dark leafy greens/vegetables.  Labels that say ‘Fortified with Vitamin D” are usually found in conventional milk, dairy items, some cereals, and juices to name a few; but buyer beware, these are food industry standards and most are synthetic, not natural sources of vitamin D. 

Supplementation may be key in helping our body maintains balance throughout the year. Although it can be stored in our bodies for later use, a couple months of exposure in the summer will not stockpile enough to carry us through the winter.  Look for emulsified or oil-based vitamin D rather than pill form for higher absorption, but if you’re more in the habit of taking pills/tablets look for ones that have 1000IU’s/pill or tablet.  Vegetarians and vegans are a higher risk population for vitamin D deficiency because the kind of vitamin D found in vegetables is not the same active form as those found in animals, therefore supplementation is highly recommended and there are vegan/vegetarian options available.

If you would like to learn more about vitamin D or to find out if you are showing signs of deficiency and how to improve your overall health and wellbeing, book a consultation today. Your journey awaits you. 

Health, Joy & Gratitude,

Janna Hattingh, BKin, CHN

Holistic Health & Nutrition

*Janna is our Certified Holistic NutritionistTM - now booking for June and offering a 50% promotion off initial consultations for new clients!*

Traditional Chinese Medicine & Fertility Health

Written by Dr. Amy Nykoluk, DTCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, is being sought out more and more as a natural alternative or addition to our more common western medicine health regime.  People are looking for ways to prevent future illness and keep their bodies in a healthy balanced state, rather than just look for a quick fix once an illness, imbalance, or state of disease is reached.  It is much cheaper and easier to maintain good health than to seek out treatment once we become sick.  

Our reproductive health is often one of these issues that we don't consider until we realize we have a problem, which about 10-15% of couples trying to conceive will eventually find out they do!  Of this group of people, 35% are issues relating only to the man, 35% are issues relating only to the women, 20% are issues including both the man and woman, and the last 10% arises from an unknown problem in either partner.  Of course it can be a very scary and sad thought to some couples that having a child isn't happening as quickly as we would like, so many people are turning to very invasive, complicated and expensive procedures to help conceive.  Just like any other health issue, TCM is an excellent option to consider before spending large amounts of money on other available treatments.

Fertility issues, along with any issue treated with TCM, can arise from multiple organ or substance imbalances in the body, and the correct diagnosis is critical when creating an effective treatment plan.  In order to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, we must first take a complete patient history, including sleep patterns, diet choices, menstrual cycle, bowel movements, mood patterns, family history, etc., so we can see the workings of the body as a whole.  In addition to these topics, a thorough examination of a person's pulse and tongue are done, as these are two very important diagnostic tools used in TCM.  

Once the correct diagnosis is determined, we treat by stimulating points along meridians with needling, burning moxibustion, cupping, applying ear seeds, or Tui Na, an acupressure or massage technique.  Meridians are like rivers of energy running through our body from top to bottom and in and out.  There is a meridian connected to every organ, as well as 8 extra meridians, including the conception and governing vessels.  In addition to acupoint stimulation, herbal medicine is often used and lifestyle changes are almost always necessary in cases of infertility.  It is estimated that 50-90% of infertility cases are successfully treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine.

There are four main syndromes or differentiations to consider when treating fertility cases.  It is possible to fall under one category completely, but most often, patients will have a unique combination of two or more of the following imbalances.

Kidney Deficiency - The kidneys are responsible for our growth and development, as well as the health and proper function of our reproductive organs and cycle.  The kidneys contain essence, or vital qi, which is essential to life.  This essence is passed down to us from our parents, comparable to our genetics.  Kidney essence can be depleted through an over active sex life, healing from a serious illness, multiple miscarriages, and aging.  The health of our essence is also largely dependent on the health of the essence passed on to us from our parents.  All three types of kidney deficiencies, qi, yang, or yin, can similarly present with tinnitus, dizziness, and lower back pain that can travel down the legs.  Because yang is a warming, active energy, when the kidney yang is depleted, patients will present with a cold sensation on the lower back, and a general lack of warmth in the body.  If kidney yin is the issue, a person will feel warm, with a possible dryness or lack of fluids. 

Liver Stagnation - The liver holds the blood and is a very important organ to consider when dealing with reproductive health.  Stress, whether it be mental, physical or emotional causes the energy flowing through the liver to become stuck, or stagnate in and around the organ.  When the liver isn't happily free and flowing we experience irritability, bad temper, frequent sighing, painful menstruation and/or breast distention.  Kidney essence and liver blood work closely together and can be interchangeable, so it is common to see a patient present with both a kidney and liver disharmony.

Dampness Retention - Dampness accumulates in the body when the spleen becomes deficient or slow.  In TCM, the spleen is the foundation of the digestive system and plays the very important role of holding organs in place and substances in the body.  If the spleen isn't functioning optimally, a person can experience frequent urination, diarrhea, excessive vaginal discharge, gas, and bloating.  The energy of the spleen rises upward, and if there isn't enough of it, the spleen cannot do its job of transforming the food we eat into qi and blood and transporting it to all parts of the body.  When this happens, we end up with a sticky and damp condition, which hinders the body's ability to conceive.  Most people with spleen issues will present with digestive problems ranging from being overweight, to nausea, tight chest, loose stool, low appetite, or slight dizziness. 

Spleen qi deficiency often can be caused by Kidney yang deficiency, as the kidney yang is needed to warm the spleen, and give it the energy to carry out its job of transforming and transporting.  Lifestyle choices play a large role in the health of our spleen and how it functions.  Exercise is important to keep the qi and blood flowing smoothly, and food choices are imperative to keeping a healthy digestive balance.  Dairy, heavy food, greasy or fried food, and over eating of any food puts a large amount of strain on the digestive system, often leading to an accumulation of dampness.  Women with PCOS often present with many spleen qi signs and dampness retention.

Blood Stagnation - There are three main reasons why the blood can stop moving and begin to get stuck or stagnated.  The first being a low amount of qi or energy to keep the blood moving.  If the blood slows down, it is much easier for it to become stuck and accumulate as more blood pools in the area.  The heart needs a good supply of qi to ensure the blood is pumped steady and stagnation doesn't occur.  The blood also needs to be warmed by yang energy, to keep moving.  If the blood cools down too much, its movement slows, and as in qi deficiency, when it slows it stagnates.  The third way the blood can accumulate is a deficiency of yin energy.  Because yin is fluid, if it becomes deficient, the blood becomes thick, and the thicker the blood, the slower it moves.  Some symptoms that arise from blood stagnation are sharp, fixed pains, painful menstruation, large dark blood clots and poor circulation.

Once we are able to correctly diagnose the single or multiple differentiations that a patient has, we determine a treatment course, often consisting of acupuncture, herbal medicine and some modifications to lifestyle.  Herbal medicine is frequently used and there are many herbs that work very quickly and effectively to restore balance to any combination of organ patterns.  Some commonly used herbs to boost the kidney are fresh water turtle shell (Gui Ban), to tonify or strengthen the Kidney yin, and deer antler glue (Lu Jiao Jiao) to tonify kidney yang, which is an important herb to use when dealing with a low sperm count.  Thorowas root (Chai Hu) and nut grass (Xiang Fu) are both important herbs that quickly promote free flow of the liver qi, reducing PMS symptoms, and stabilizing the mood.  To activate the blood, and break up stagnation, we could use Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui), often referred to as female ginseng, and safflower flowers (Hong Hua), regulating menstruation and nourishing the blood.  Lastly, if we are dealing with a dampness accumulation caused by a spleen qi deficiency, we may choose white Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), or Wolfiporia fungus, or Poria (Fu Ling), which is a herb used for over 2000 years to treat dampness disorders, by draining excess fluid and kick starting the spleen to prevent further accumulation.

Although acupuncture is a very effective way to re balance the body quickly, it is not the only way to stimulate acupoints, Acupressure is an easy addition to a daily health care routine that can be learned and practiced by anyone.  The inside of both legs, between the knee and the medial malleolus, or ankle bone, is a very important spot that can be massaged daily because the spleen, kidney and liver meridians all run through the area.  You can begin down by the ankle; squeeze the calf muscle, concentrating on the inner leg, moving up towards the knee, ending at the belly, or highest point of the calf muscle.  Doing this regularly will promote good digestion, can balance hormones, and boost qi in the body.  Caution should be taken during menstruation and should be avoided during pregnancy, as stimulating this area can cause uterine contractions.  Another spot to massage is on the chest, over the sternum, directly between the nipples.  This is a very important point to activate and move the blood and qi.  It is very calming and can help ease anxiety.  Lastly, a great acupoint to massage to improve digestion, drain dampness, and move the qi is found on the forearm.  To locate the point, cross your arm in front of your body, palm facing your belly button, thumb pointing up.  The area to massage is the highest point on the forearm muscle, this area is often tender to the touch, so begin gently.

The last area to concentrate on would be the lifestyle of the patient.  The amount and quality of sleep the patient is getting should absolutely be considered.  Our bodies need to regenerate during night, or yin time, so it is incredibly important to try to sleep by 11:00 pm and sleep soundly for 7-9 hours, every night.  When we don't get enough sleep, our qi gets depleted and our yin can begin to weaken.  Along with proper sleep, 20-30 minutes of brisk walking is a great way to help keep the qi and blood flowing smoothly, help drain dampness, and to keep weight in check.

Fertility issues are very common among men and women, and although it can be a very tough subject, seeking out treatment options as soon as you can, is always the best option.  Along with the changes that can be easily adopted into a person's daily routine, a proper diagnosis by a TCM practitioner is very important in effective prevention and treatment of infertility, or any other disease or disharmony.  Through the use of acupressure, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and other TCM tools, it is very possible to return the body to balance and allow for a healthy pregnancy to flourish.

4 Hair Care Tips for Beautiful Hair

Don't wash it every day. Try to only wash your hair every 2-4 days. Building up the natural oils is the best form of hydration for healthy hair and scalp.

2. Use natural shampoos such as Calgary's own Lowen's "Shampoo is Betta!" This is a gentle Vegan, sulfate-free coconut based shampoo great for replenishing the hair! Use high-quality natural hair products that are free from synthetic 

sudsing detergents like SLS (sodium luaryl sulfates) that strip the natural oils from the scalp and dry out the hair follicle making it more prone to split ends and damage. Artificial fragrance is another ingredient that can cause contact dermatitis to the scalp, further causing irritation and imbalances. 

3. Use a natural bristle brush. Here at the spa, we carry Bass Brushes with 2 different options; natural boar hair bristles and organic bamboo bristles. These do not strip the hair's follicle shaft, therefore not creating split ends. They glide easily and help pull your natural oils through the hair.
 

4. Use a natural hair oil to treat the ends of your hair. Don't be fooled by marketing, a lot of the hair oils on the market are just cheap fragrance filled nonsense. You need a hair oil where you can pronounce the ingredients on the back! We carry an organic oil line called Burnt Whisky. It's a great beard oil line that all us ladies love for our dry ends!

Water: How Important Is Drinking Enough?

As an Esthetician, I get asked about drinking water all the time! Not to mention, living in this climate, I see it in skin every day.  Let me begin by saying that water is one of the most basic elements of life; Just like oxygen, without water we wouldn't survive. As adults, we are composed of around 50-65% water. In infants, this is typically higher, around 75-78% water. 

Drinking an adequate amount of water daily is important for overall good health. This is because water aids in all the mandatory and regulatory bodily functions that keep us alive, like digestion, circulation, absorption, excretion of water, fluids, toxins and bacteria, it helps regulate the body's temperature through sweating, aids in proper circulation, boosts the immune system, helps with muscle and skin tone and is a key component in the communication between cells! Water is the body’s transportation system and when we are dehydrated, our body just can't function as well. This is because dehydration slows everything down, and messes up the natural hormone functions of the body. 

Skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are composed largely of water. Without water, organs and cells do not function properly and definitely not at optimal potential, and as I mentioned above, each living, breathing cell in the body must also complete all the above activities to maintain health and life on a consistent and daily basis. 

So how does this affect your skin? On the surface, skin that is lacking water will look dry, tight, cracked and flaky. Dry skin has less resiliency and is also more prone to wrinkling, acne, an overall dull-looking appearance and sallow-looking skin. It can also cause more obvious symptoms like dry lips and a dry inner nose. When I consume enough H2O, I personally notice my own skin becomes more radiant, more healthy and youthful-looking, and my complexion is better overall.

As we sweat and excrete large quantities of water every day, we need to replace it and be consistent in re-hydrating throughout the day. A fact that I like to share with my skin-conscious clients is that the unfortunate truth is this: Skin is deemed one of the least important organs when the brain prioritizes its use of nutrients and H2O! for distribution throughout the body. For good reason, the vital organs like the heart, lungs, kidney and liver receive "first call" on utilizing the majority of the fresh water and resources we intake. That means that the fresh water we consume will reach the majority of the other organs before it reaches the skin. This is why it's important to drink at least the recommended 8 glasses of water per day. However, even this amount with vary from person to person, depending on health, weight, activities, environment and the climate that the individual is currently living in.

If your skin is still feeling dry and you are maintaining a healthy water consumption level, then you may have naturally dry skin and/or live in a dry climate like we do here in Calgary! So, I would like to share a few simple and natural skin care tips and product suggestions that we have available at the spa for our dry clients: 

• During the dry months, or if you have dry skin, use a cream cleanser that will not pull moisture from the skin. Some people have a cream cleanser during the winter or in drier climates, and a lighter or a gel-based cleanser in the summer. Note that you may need to use a makeup remover before using a cream cleanser if you wear a lot of makeup. Some of these cleansers will even help leave a layer of healthy moisture to prevent against TEWL (Trans Epidermal Water Loss) which is a fancy way of saying it will help prevent water from escaping the skin and therefore drying out. Some of my favourite cream cleansers are Eminence Blueberry Soy Cleanser, Eminence Coconut Cleanser and Eminence Sweet Red Rose Cleanser, as well as Lowen's Cleanser "You Sure Clean Up Nice!," which is a fantastic local Calgary line. 
   
• The Eminence Organic Strawberry Hyaluronic Serum pulls 1000x its weight in water into the skin! I personally find this serum very helpful during Calgary winters.
   
• Using a rich moisturizer like the Eminence Coconut Moisturizer, Blueberry Soy Moisturizer or Monoi Age Corrective, is always a good idea! In the winter, our skin may need a heavier moisturizer to maintain its normal hydration. See my article on changing your products to suit the season on our website for more information on this topic!
   
• Adding a few drops of natural essential oil blends that are suited to your individual skin type over the top of your serum or night cream during a dry month will result in helpful and highly effective assistance to your skin's natural oil barrier. Eminence Organic recently brought out a Rosehip Oil which is a great option for all skin types, while local BC line Apple Island Naturals has a great array of oil blends for this also. 

Here are my quick tips for drinking more water:

• • Drink at least 8 glasses of fresh water each day.
     
  • When you wake up in the morning, make the first thing you do drinking a full glass of water and help your system get started for the day.
     
  • Add fresh fruit to your water to make it taste better and entice you to drink more throughout the day.
     
  • Add a little lemon to your water! Putting lemon in your water will aid your body in a gentle detox and will also help to alkaline your body's internal systems. 
     
  • Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you are as a reminder to keep drinking! When you have a water bottle with you, you will be more likely to drink it!
     
  • Eat raw fruits and vegetables as snacks with every meal; they are dense in water! You can get some water from food too, not just from beverages.
     
  • Remember that If you are exercising or sweating more, you will need to drink more water to replenish your reserves! Aim to drink enough water and other fluids that you urinate frequently and with light color.
     

To summarize, I believe it is scientifically undisputed that it is crucial to drink a healthy amount of water on a daily basis to maintain and help boost the skin's overall health and beauty! As always, I hope this article has brought you some clarity in regards to water consumption and skin care. Please feel free to book your individual consult today and have your skin assessed by one of our professionals at The Natural Art of Skin Care today! Call us at (587) 351-1131 to make your booking.