Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in Men: A Community-based Survey

[CausticSymmetry]

Br J Dermatol. 2010 Apr 23.
Association of Androgenetic Alopecia with Metabolic Syndrome in Men: A Community-based Survey.
Su LH, Hsiu-Hsi Chen T.

Department of Dermatology, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.

Abstract
ABSTRACT Background: Several previous studies have investigated the association between factors related to metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is known to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). However, the results of these studies have been inconsistent. Objective: To elucidate if there is an association between MetS and AGA after adjustment for potential confounders. Patients/Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tainan, Taiwan. A total of 740 subjects aged 40 to 91 years participated in the survey between April and June 2005. Norwood classifications were used to assess the degree of hair loss. Information on components of MetS along with other possible risk factors was collected. Results: A statistically significant association was found between AGA and the presence of the MetS (OR= 1.67, 95% CI: 1.01, 2.74) as well as between AGA and the number of fulfilled MetS components (OR= 1.21, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.42) after controlling for age, family history of AGA, and smoking status. Among MetS components, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (OR= 2.36, 95% CI: 1.41, 3.95, p= 0.001) was revealed as the most important factor associated with AGA. Conclusions: Our population-based study found a significant association between AGA and MetS; among MetS components, HDL was found to be of particular importance. This finding may have significant implications for the identification of MetS in moderate or severe AGA patients. Early intervention for MetS is critical to reduce the risk and complications of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life.

[hadrion]

Major validity here IH. When I first started losing my hair out of nowhere, I went to a battery of physicians. The endocrinologist I visited told me I had metabolic syndrome. I was not yet type 2 diabetic, but I had all the other risk factors. My diet was crap, I was 80 pounds overweight, I was stressed and depressed and my hair started falling out like leaves from a tree in the fall. I had no miniaturization -- my hair was just falling out and not regrowing.

Only with a better diet, weight loss and the regimen here did I make things better. I still have hair in the front and on top, although not as much as I would like. But I slowed the progression of loss down tremendously. If I didn't change things, I would have been bald in months. It's now almost 4 years since that diagnosis and when I found your forum.

If anyone in here is overweight or has the metabolic syndrome profile, I suggest you stop looking for topicals and instead get to the root of the problem which is the way you've let your body go.

[Icanbeatthis]

Very interesting, it's obvious that hair loss is a symptom of underlying metabolic issues.

CS, would you think that Sulforaphane would help with considering its ability to help reverse diabetese and insulin problems? I'm kind of clinging on to the hope that sulforaphane is a game changer, from the research I'm doing it certainly looks like a possibility but it's hard to say conclusively.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!

[CausticSymmetry]

Icanbeatthis - I totally agree, it is worth trying out. I just received an order of Broccomax the other day, which has to replace the now discontinued activated selenium + sulforaphane (that was quite a deal).

This year and last year revealed the best research on sulforaphane and it seems like a really big deal. I think anyone who doesn't respond well to curcumin should use it.

Sulforaphane "repairs" the antioxidant (glutathione) deactivation problem in the skin barrier, plus a lot of other interesting stuff.

[NrwgnKID]

CS - do you think damages that has occured from insulin resistance or low insulin sensitivity to the hair follicles could be reversed through diet only ? I mean, is ALA/ALC is necessary when I have a very low glycemic diet ?

[CausticSymmetry]

NrwgnKID - ALA/ALC will speed recovery and engender longer life. It also allows you to eat imperfectly more often.

Assuming there is no great metal accumulation, in which the condition itself leads to, a low glycemic diet should suffice.

[Nashville Hairline]

I've seen variations of studies linking metabolic syndrome and MPB but am confused as to their usefulness tbh. What is "metabolic syndrome" other than just a collection of negative health conditions?
Its not as if people who treat the symtoms of it like Diabetes Type 2, high blood pressure or excessive weight start growing their hair back.

Its an interesting correlation but I'd question it's usefulness in our quest to treat MPB.

[CausticSymmetry]

Nashville Hairline - I believe it's everything--at least being central to the condition that initiates male pattern baldness.

Metabolic syndrome is an electron shortage disease. Having a liver burdened with toxins, the antioxidant enzymes cannot be produced adequately to overcome it. During metabolic syndrome or lesser precursor conditions such as insulin resistance, certain metals accumulate in the body, increasing oxidative stress (free-radicals).

Oxidative stress drives androgen mediated hair loss. In MPB there is a depletion of glutathione in the scalp tissues.

When insulin is properly regulated and antioxidant enzymes can be produced to healthy levels, DHT has less power and hormones are better balanced.

This above study is nothing new, but it was conducted to sort out some that show inconsistencies.