Hair Loss And Caffeine

Caffeine's Effect On Hair Loss & Weight Loss

First, some interesting background about caffeine. In about 1000AD Ethiopian nomads ate a local berry they ground in a ball with animal fat to give them energy. Later, the Arabs used the ground bean in a drink called gahwa or sleep preventer. The habit of roasting the bean spread to Egypt and Turkey by the 15th century and women had a right to divorce if they were not allowed a daily supply of coffee.

Today the world consumes 400 billion cups of coffee annually. The highest per capita coffee drinkers are the Finns. On average, men drink slightly more than women at 1.7 cups per day with women at 1.5. Most of the coffee is drunk at breakfast, 57 percent compared to other times during the day. The most common coffee beans are Robusta, grown at low elevation in central and West Africa (75%). Arabica is a more expensive and superior bean with more flavor grown at higher altitudes in East Africa, Indonesia and South America.

Caffeine is a member of the methylxanthine family, and an alkaloid commonly found in many foods and beverages we enjoy daily. Caffeine's chemical name is 1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine and is naturally found in coffee, tea, green tea, yerba maté, guaraná seeds, cacao beans, and kola nuts. The effects of caffeine on the human body have been well documented, it's known to stimulate the heart and central nervous system, improve athletic performance, enhance cognitive performance, increase energy levels, and elevate metabolic rate. Medically caffeine has been used to stimulate the heart and as a diuretic.

A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100mg, roughly the amount in one cup of brewed coffee. The table below shows the estimated caffeine content for some common beverages.

2oz	Espresso	40 to 120	mg
8oz	Brewed Drip Coffee	60 to 160	mg
8oz	Decaffeinated Coffee	3 to 5	mg
8oz	Green Tea	20 to 40	mg
8oz	Black Tea	20 to 60	mg
12oz	Coca-Cola Classic	34	mg
12oz	Mountain Dew	55	mg
8oz	Red Bull	80	mg

Hair Loss and Caffeine

Caffeine and hair loss? Most references to caffeine as a compound to reduce hair loss source back to a German study by Aplecin Cosmetic with Dr. Adolf Klaenk. Aplecin has been selling hair and scalp treatments since 1930 but only since 2000 have they produced a liquid shampoo hair loss remedy with a caffeine based derivative. Do not try drinking your way to reduced hair loss. The equivalent consumption would be around 60 to 80 cups per day for the necessary caffeine level to reach the roots. Professor Peter Elsner who is part of the team at the University of Jena noted that this stimulant is more effective on men whose roots were testosterone sensitive (male pattern baldness), one of the causes of hair loss.

The German study used four treatments, a nutrient based sample, a testosterone sample, caffeine sample and the last was a mixture of caffeine and testosterone. The research results showed the caffeine treatment staved off hair loss and encouraged hair growth, while the testosterone treatment led to hair loss. The best results came from the caffeine and testosterone treatment, which helped prevent further hair loss. With the caffeine treatment the study claims average growth increased 46 percent while the life cycle of the hair was extended by 37 percent when compared to the control.

What is ironic about this study is that many medical experts believe oral intake of caffeine leads to increased DHT which stimulates testosterone levels which in turn lead to hair loss.

Weight Loss and Caffeine

For years caffeine has been used as a weight loss aid. High doses of caffeine may act to suppress appetite and stimulate metabolic rate, enhancing physical performance thereby increasing energy expenditure. Up until the FDA's ephedra ban in December of 2003 caffeine would regularly be stacked with ephedrine and aspirin, where it prolonged the effects of this powerful thermogenic drug. Now that ephedra has been banned many diet pill manufacturers have increased the caffeine content of their products, where it must act alone as a potent fat burner. For more information on diet pills containing caffeine go to: http//dietpills.urbanbargain.com/

Is Caffeine Safe?

A single serving of caffeine is considered to be 100mg, roughly the amount found in one cup of brewed coffee. To minimize stomach upset it's recommended that caffeine be taken with food and plenty of water. Caffeine is a mild diuretic and may contribute to mild dehydration if fluids are not replenished.

Caffeine is an addictive drug, and while moderate consumption of caffeine poses no significant health risks, side effects may include sleeplessness, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea, irritability, heart palpitations, headaches, diarrhea, tremors, and vomiting. Excessive consumption of caffeine may be associated with stomach and abdominal pains, anxiety, restlessness, agitation, confusion, delirium, and seizures.

Regular consumption of caffeine can lead to increased tolerance for caffeine. If use is suddenly discontinued withdrawal symptoms may be experienced, including anxiety, dizziness, irritability, headaches, nausea, nervousness, and unusual fatigue.

For those who are allergic or otherwise react negatively to caffeine or zanthines, it's strongly advised that you do not consume products containing caffeine. Caffeine should also be avoided by women who are pregnant or nursing.