Hair-loss hope: Natural sugar stimulates significant regrowth
Scientists have found that a naturally occurring sugar, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), can stimulate new hair growth. This discovery could lead to a non-invasive and inexpensive treatment for male pattern baldness.
The research team from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan spent eight years studying how this deoxy sugar could aid wound healing. They noticed that hair around wound patches grew faster than in untreated areas, suggesting it directly impacts ailing hair follicles.
To test their theory, they recreated testosterone-driven hair loss in mice. The results showed that the 2dDR gel was as effective as minoxidil, one of only two FDA-approved hair-loss drugs, with minimal side effects.
The study found that 2dDR upregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which stimulates new hair growth. While still in its early stages, this research offers hope for treating hair loss and highlights the potential for harnessing natural compounds for effective topical treatments.
Source: https://newatlas.com/medical/baldness-sugar-hydrogel/