Michael Mooney has worked in the field of health and nutrition for over 30 years. He served eight terms as Political Committee Chairperson and Co-Chairperson of the Northern California Chapter of the National Nutritional Foods Association and has appeared in Sports Illustrated and on ABC, NBC, FOX, KPFK, and the Discovery Channel.
Hair Loss & Healthy Hair Regrowth
Q. I’m a woman who is losing hair. Is there anything that really can help stop hair loss, or even re-grow it?
A.In 1997, in my Muscle Media magazine column I hypothesized that Nizoral shampoo, a dandruff shampoo, could slow hair loss and even help it grow back. Two years later, a couple of studies proved it. Use the shampoo no more than three times a week or you’ll get red bumps on your head. It takes 4-8 months to work. Massage it into the scalp; as massage also helps hair grow because it improves circulation.
When I was losing hair a few years ago, I interviewed several top hair loss doctors, including Beverly Hills physician Gary Perrault, whom I felt was the most well-informed. Dr. Perrault told me the first thing that he does when someone is losing his/her hair is a blood test called ferritin to look at how much iron is stored in their body.
“If ferritin measures below 40 ng/mL then that person will likely lose hair,” Perrault said, “but hair does best at around 70 ng/mL.” My ferritin always measured in the 20′s — good because it meant I’d never have iron overload. Wrong! I added extra iron to my supplements, got my ferritin up to 51 and months later noticed my hair was healthier; later it rose to 70. I’ve heard well- meaning experts like Dr. Mercola and Dr. Andrew Weil say “Don’t take iron, it’s toxic”…but they are bald! Iron is an essential nutrient, required for heart health, brain health, immune strength, energy production and healthy hair. My research finds that more people need to take iron than don’t. Studies of healthy postmenopausal women show that as much as half are deficient in iron. I suggest getting a ferritin blood test, then work with your physician to find a dose of iron that gets your ferritin above 40 ng/mL.
Also ask your doctor about a drug called dutasteride— (Avodart) it does wonders to block DHT (dihydrotestosterone) involved in the destruction of hair follicles that cause hair loss. Other supplements with quality published data showing help for hair include 5,000 mcg of biotin per day and tocotrienols, potent antioxidant cousins of vitamin E shown to increase hair count by 41% after only eight months. The best tocotrienol product for hair health is Toco Sorb by Jarrow Formulas.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Q. I read an issue or so back how you are helping Suzanne Takowsky with her rheumatoid arthritis. How is she doing and what is she taking?
A. When Suzanne came to my house to talk about me writing for BHTM she complained about swollen arthritic fingers, so I gave her three supplements to feel better, and have more energy: SuperNutrition Opti- Energy Pack multivitamins, the world’s most potent anti-aging vitamin formula; SuperNutrition Glucosamine + MSM, a strong formula for joint health and joint pain relief, and Jarrow brand MaxDHA omega-3 fish oil capsules (she took five capsules twice a day for optimal anti-inflammatory effects). It’s important for people with arthritis to take a lot of fish oil. One/two capsules a day won’t crack it. The combination of these three potent formulas dramatically reduces inflammation in the body; a core problem in rheumatoid arthritis.
I had no idea how well it would work, so I was ecstatically surprised when three weeks later Suzanne told me the swelling in her finger joints was reduced by 70%. (Another benefit of taking this combination is healthier, more radiant skin and Suzanne literally glowed when I saw her). However, she still could not get a favorite ring off her finger. Even though swelling decreased …it wasn’t enough. I then gave her one of the most potent molecules on the planet and one of the best remedies for arthritis and a dozen other health problems, DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide). I also told her to rub DMSO on her finger joints about two or three times a day and 10 days later that ring came off her finger easily. 
She still had swelling in two knuckle joints and since she wants to avoid using toxic arthritis drugs, I recommended to her an amazing alternative medicine doctor, Dr. Joseph Sciabbarrasi. DMSO is difficult to find in stores, but it is easy to buy it over the internet. Go to: www.DMSO.net. I use the DMSO gel, which is 70 % DMSO and 30% Aloe Vera. DMSO has other valuable applications; it healed my torn Achilles tendon without surgery. If only David Beckham knew!
Heavy Exercise and Sports Injury
Take Care of Your Ankles
by. Robert Joseph DPM
Q. What is the most common injury you see in your practice?
A. Ankle sprains, mistreated or ignored, are easily the most common injuries we see in our practice. Many of our patients have additional continuing foot, knee and back pain because of untreated past ankle sprains that, because the patient did not get professional treatment, were mismanaged. Of course, this means they also had no MRI or X-Ray to determine what the original cause was.
Q. So people treat themselves somehow, and it causes more problems in the long run?
A. Exactly. People usually treat themselves with rest, ice and elevation of the foot. This doesn’t really treat the problem effectively, so when they begin activities a few weeks later they notice that their gait pattern, the way they walk, is compromised. Maybe their ankle or foot swells up and then they find that they can’t wear those great new shoes they just bought.
Q. Does this lead to a cycle of other problems?
A. Yes. Three ligaments make up the ankle: the anterior talofibular (ATF), calcanealfibular (CFL) and posterior talofibular (PTF). Front, middle and back ligaments, respectively. These are the supporting ligaments that control foot posture and move- ment. If these ligaments are somehow compromised, what was just a simple sprained ankle can lead to more serious problems, including foot deformities, hammer toes and bunions, or a much more serious problem, osteoarthritis arthritis, which is the breakdown of cartilage due to opposing bones rubbing together and wearing the cartilage away .
Q. What’s the best way to remedy this situation?
A. The best conservative treatment is immobilization with a prescribed walking boot or ankle brace for two David Beckham weeks, depending on Orthotics with a deep heel cup to support the ankle can also do wonders. Physical therapy is then prescribed to help strengthen and stabilize the ankle. One to two months later, if this conservative treatment fails, surgical repair of the ligaments might be required. In the past we were taught to surgically split a major tendon in half, and anchor it to the bone, which is rather drastic. Recent advances in techniques favor taking the ankle capsule, which holds the fluid in the ankle, and suturing it to the bone. This way recovery is quicker. After three weeks of non-weight bearing status, the capsule heals nicely and we follow it with physical therapy.
Q. So do you explore the best non-surgical therapy before con- sidering surgery?
A. Yes. Conservative care must be attempted before surgery is con- sidered. With the latest techniques available via physical therapy, core training and chiropractic we can often times recover full function without surgery, so you’re back playing tennis or favorite pastimes in short order.
Read more Michael Mooney’s nutrition science research at: www.michaelmooney.net
