VOID Is Your Medication Causing Hair Loss or Premature Gray Hair? | Valproate Hair Loss & Gray Hair

Summary

Leslie addresses a follower’s concern about hair loss and premature gray hair potentially caused by Depakote (valproic acid). She explains how factors like stress, hormonal changes, liver function, and medication dosage could contribute. Leslie suggests Maddie support her liver health with antioxidant-rich foods and consider checking her vitamin levels. She also advises discussing alternative treatments with a physician and highlights promising research on ketogenic diets for managing conditions like epilepsy and bipolar disorder. The video offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and mitigating medication-related side effects.

Takeaways

• 😀 Over 50% of adult Americans are on at least one prescription medication, and it's important to know if hair loss or gray hair could be side effects.
• 😀 Maddie, a 40-year-old woman with epilepsy, is on Depakote (valproic acid) to control her seizures, which might be contributing to her hair loss and premature graying.
• 😀 Perimenopause and hormonal changes, including thyroid hormone fluctuations, could also affect hair health and contribute to graying and hair loss.
• 😀 Depakote can have side effects such as tremors, dizziness, and liver dysfunction, and it may also lead to hair loss in a significant percentage of patients, especially at higher doses.
• 😀 If the dose of Depakote is over 500mg, about 28% of patients report hair loss within 90 days of starting treatment.
• 😀 Stress can contribute to hair loss and premature graying by elevating adrenaline, which the body converts into hydrogen peroxide, a compound that can bleach hair.
• 😀 The liver plays a crucial role in neutralizing hydrogen peroxide with antioxidants like glutathione, superoxide dismutase, or catalase. Insufficient antioxidants may result in gray hair.
• 😀 A poor diet, lack of sleep, and high stress levels may deplete the body's antioxidant resources, exacerbating hair loss and gray hair.
• 😀 Maddie could improve her situation by eating foods rich in antioxidants like leafy greens, broccoli, and avocados to support liver function and neutralize hydrogen peroxide.
• 😀 A blood test to check vitamin and mineral levels, particularly B6 and B12, can help determine if deficiencies are contributing to the hair issues. Depakote may lead to B vitamin deficiencies.
• 😀 Dr. Christopher Palmer and Dr. Nick Norwitz's research on the ketogenic diet suggests it may offer a cleaner energy source for the brain, potentially reducing reliance on medications like Depakote.

Q & A

What is the main concern raised by Maddie in the video?

Maddie is concerned that her medication, Depakote, could be causing her hair loss and premature gray hair.

What is Depakote (valproic acid) used for?

Depakote, also known as valproic acid, is primarily used to control seizures in individuals with epilepsy, and is also prescribed for people with bipolar disorder and migraines.

How does Maddie's age factor into her hair loss and gray hair issues?

At 40 years old, Maddie is likely entering perimenopause, a stage that involves hormonal changes, including a decrease in thyroid hormone, which can impact hair health and pigmentation.

What are some potential side effects of Depakote (valproic acid)?

Some potential side effects of Depakote include tremors, dizziness, ringing in the ears, liver dysfunction, and possibly hair loss or changes in hair texture.

How does stress relate to Maddie's hair loss and premature gray hair?

Stress increases adrenaline levels in the body, which is then converted into hydrogen peroxide. If the liver cannot neutralize the hydrogen peroxide, it can lead to premature gray hair.

What role do antioxidants play in preventing premature gray hair?

Antioxidants such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase neutralize hydrogen peroxide in the body, which helps prevent premature gray hair.

What impact does thyroid health have on hair growth and pigmentation?

Optimal thyroid health is essential for maintaining proper hair growth and pigmentation. A decline in thyroid function can lead to hair loss and graying.

How does the dosage of Depakote influence the likelihood of hair loss?

Studies show that with a low dose of Depakote, only around 4% of patients experience hair loss, but when the dose exceeds 500 milligrams, the incidence rises to 28% after 90 days of use.

What steps can Maddie take to mitigate hair loss and gray hair?

Maddie can support her liver health with foods rich in antioxidants (like leafy greens, broccoli, and avocados), get a blood test for vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and consider discussing alternative medications with her physician.

How might a ketogenic diet help with Maddie's condition?

A ketogenic diet, which promotes the use of ketones as an alternative fuel for the brain, may help manage conditions like epilepsy and bipolar disorder, potentially reducing the need for medications like Depakote.