Last week I explained how brown adipose tissue (brown fat) may encourage strong healthy hair growth, and a lack of it can be linked to androgenetic alopecia.
Research has shown that the follicles where hair loss rarely occurs (such as the occipital region at the back of the scalp) contains a thick layer of brown fat. But, in those with androgenetic alopecia there is a lack of brown fat around the miniaturized follicles of the hair loss region.
This strongly suggests that brown fat serves a supportive role for hair follicles and hair growth.
There are two reasons for this:
1. Brown fat encourages angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation).
2. Brown fat can provide a protective cushioning effect.
So, how can you increase your scalp brown fat levels?
This newsletter provides the answer to that question…
The Omega 3 fish oils, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acids) have been associated with brown fat activity. So, it may be that by consuming a very high Omega 3 diet you can do something to help your hair grow. Perhaps the best evidence for this idea comes from the Inuit people (Eskimos) who consume extremely high levels of Omega 3 fish oils from their diet, and have a very low incidence of androgenetic alopecia.
You may be able to increase your levels of BAT from Omega 3 fish oil supplements containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Alternatively, Omega 3 can be obtained from eating oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, etc.
However, there is uncertainty as to how much Omega 3 will get converted into brown fat and then find it's way into your scalp.
Whilst diet might improve the growth of your hair, it is sensible to try a number of ideas in your battle against baldness: the hands-on techniques I used to regrow my own hair are now helping many others to do the same.
Some more BAT facts...
- BAT (i.e., brown adipose tissue) serves as a heat insulator, shock absorber and provides energy for the body.
- BAT has the ability to produce heat without the need for shivering and is of interest to scientists right now because it does this by burning calories from normal fat (white adipose tissue). This means that it may have an application in the weight loss industry.
- Recent research shows that BAT is related to skeletal muscle.
- BAT is brown because it is highly vascularized (i.e., it contains blood vessels) and contains a large number of mitochondria (which provide energy).
- Exposure to the cold will activate BAT activity.