Kicker - A greasy cure for baldness

NICK EICHER, HOST: Researchers in Japan say a cure for baldness may be more accessible—and affordable—than you think.

You can find the cure in McDonald’s French fries. Well, all their fried stuff.

You see, an anti-foaming agent used in the frying oil contains a chemical called dimethylpolysiloxane. (Try saying that five times fast.) The compound helps grow the cells that become hair follicles.

Scientists tested the method on mice and saw success using the chemical as a growth medium to mass produce those hair-growing cells in a lab environment. It’s pretty specialized and sophisticated stuff.

OK, so maybe a little more complicated than running out and scarfing down a supersized carton of deep-fried delights on the belief that the results will be something—other than weight gain.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

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