While we’ve known for quite some time that hair loss is mostly genetic, now more research is focusing on the non-genetic causes. It is estimated that up to 80% of androgenetic alopecia (the leading cause of hair loss) cases are due to genetics. Also, genes that determine hair structure (size, texture and shape of hair) can have mutations that cause hair disorders. And we remind ourselves that genetics alone is not the entirety of the problem, as lifestyle, environment, stress, medicine side effects, and more can outright cause or at least contribute to hair loss.
But what role does exercise, or the lack of exercise, play in hair thinning or loss? The lack of exercise is more commonly defined by doctors as having a “sedentary lifestyle.” A sedentary lifestyle can lead to health conditions such as obesity, high cholesterol, heart problems, diabetes and so on. And in turn these conditions can lead to stress, often credited as a major non-genetic cause of many health problems, including hair loss. Some of these issues may eventually cause an imbalance in hormones, which can be detrimental to hair growth and health.
Doctors often prescribe exercise to those experiencing chronic heart failure, cancer, and polycystic ovary syndrome, to name a few. Physical activity is encouraged to improve mental health conditions, and high levels of exercise are associated with increased quality of life and even improvement in chronic health conditions. Doctors want us to lose belly fat, become active, and help ourselves to improve our given situation.
One study in particular has tried to determine if a sedentary lifestyle can lead to depression, anxiety and stress in individuals who are already balding. We know that AA (androgenetic alopecia) is not life-threatening, but our overall appearance (lack of a full head of hair in this case) may cross the line into actual depression.
The results of this study are not surprising. Over 81% of participants did not meet the physical activity guidelines. And those participants with hair loss of more than half their scalp, who did not meet physical activity guidelines, were much more likely to experience severe depression, moderate anxiety and stress than those who did meet the guidelines. In short, those with increased exercise had a much better health status.
There was another recent study (2017) that tested 1182 healthy men and women across all ages over a period of 29 months. Unhealthy participants, those with underlying diseases or disorders were excluded from testing. Serum cortisol, free testosterone and total testosterone were measured. The goal was to determine if there was an association with exercise and hair loss. Exercise was measured and scored based on frequency and intensity reported.
- 534 of the participants already had AA (androgenetic alopecia).
- 648 of the participants did not have AA.
- High Intensity = >20 mins/day of strenuous physical activity that induces severe shortness of breath
- Moderate Intensity = 30+ mins/day of strenuous activity that induces mild shortness of breath
- Low Intensity = 30+ mins/day normal physical activity, such as walking
Results
Those experiencing AA exercise more often than those without AA, especially low-intensity, at least as self-reported in the study.
There was no discernable difference in AA and non-AA groups for moderate and high-intensity exercise. The study believes there is a definite link between exercise and AA, but cannot prove whether one precedes the other.
However, according to another related study, regular moderate-to-high intensity exercise can induce a protective effect against oxidative stress (a hairline killer), by elevating endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. This protective effect is a possible explanation why fewer higher-intensity exercisers had AA, but is not conclusive by any means.
Conclusion
While this was the largest study to date for researching the link between exercise and alopecia, it is only a drop in the water when it comes to determining how closely the two are related. For one, this was a survey-based study, which does not rely on scientific observation of a cause and effect relationship. The participants filled out a survey in which they gave their best interpretation, guesstimates if you will, of their activities. Many people do not pay close enough attention to the details of their daily lives that they may consider mundane, and are likely not measured and recorded by the participants. In other words, it’s difficult to place accurate data on a questionnaire that asked you if you were out of breath on a walk you made last month, for example.
Also, the severity of hair loss was not studied in this particular research, which may have been a missed opportunity. And maybe the biggest mark that was missed – Does changing from sedentary to an exercising lifestyle reverse or slow the hair loss process?
It’s possible that deeper research will yield more informative results. Perhaps what is needed is a stress test (running on a treadmill hooked up to monitors) while being observed by scientists, doctors, or technicians. That’s not my area of expertise, but it seems like a good place to start.
And while the business I work in uses the best available technology to help those who are experiencing hair loss, I am very interested in a future where science has solved the problem once and for all. Although I hope cancer is cured first. Fingers crossed.
If you are experiencing hair loss, or want to find out more information set up a consultation with Dr. Joseph Williams today.
