By J. Howson

On April 13, 2013, an important study was published in the British Medical Journal which caused quite a flurry in the media worldwide: vertex baldness (ie baldness occurring in the crown area), but not frontal baldness, is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD), in particular with atherosclerosis. The association with CHD is dependent on the extent of the baldness and also affects younger men.

How Hair Works

A variety of genetic and environmental factors (including stress) are believed to play a role in causing androgenetic alopecia and, indeed, alopecia areata (a less common, immune function-related cause of baldness in both men and women). Androgenetic alopecia, also known as pattern baldness or testosterone baldness, is caused by the elevated presence an androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

The normal cycle of each hair lasts between two to six years; a single strand grows for this amount of time, eventually going into a resting phase for a few months and finally dropping off. In the case of pattern baldness, increased levels of androgen within the follicle shortens the cycle of hair growth and causes hair to grow shorter and finer. Moreover, DHT delays the growth rate of new hair. In addition to genetic factors, the following are linked to premature baldness: chronic stress, inflammation, poor nutrition and exposure to toxic chemicals.

Exercise: Can it Stop the Inevitable?

Since baldness is caused by a variety of factors, tackling it with an integrated approach is key. Daily exercise, a good night’s sleep and proper nutrition play an important role in reducing inflammation and stress. Exercise promotes healthy circulation, which is crucial to scalp health.

You may have read that exercise increases testosterone (and, therefore, DHT levels), but in actual fact, the testosterone increase following a weight lifting or aerobic training session is transient, and not likely to have a long-term effect on hair loss, since as mentioned above, the hair cycle is one that lasts for a minimum of two years. A greater danger lies in taking anabolic steroids or supplements (including Vitamin A), which increase testosterone levels long-term and accelerate the rate of hair loss.

Chronic stress is another major factor leading to hair loss, as is sudden, intense stress resulting from traumatic events. Stress can lead to another form of baldness called telogen effluvium, which causes hair to enter premature resting and shedding states. Stress is also suspected to be a trigger for alopecia areata (in which hair falls out in circular spots and can grow back in a few months or continue to fall in other areas of the head, sometimes progressing to alopecia totalis – in which all hair on the head is lost, or alopecia universalis – in which all hair on the head and body are lost.

Exercise significantly reduces levels of stress hormones like adrenalin and cortisol, and stimulates the production of endorphins, which naturally alleviate pain and elevate the mood. The emotional benefits of increased strength and stamina, and the positive body image promoted by both cardiovascular and resistance/weight training, are also significant. At least 30 minutes of moderate activity is recommended daily. If you are in a particularly high-stress job or situation, consider adding mindful meditation (which comprises practices like yoga) into your weekly routine in order to reduce side-effects such as anxiety and depression.

Keeping Nutritional and Environmental Risks at Bay

There are many environmental factors that lead to baldness. These include possible allergens in the foods we consume, the most common of which are gluten, dairy products and alcohol. Even for conditions as mysterious as alopecia areata, patients are reporting increased success in hair growth from adopting a gluten- and dairy-free diet. Additional triggers can be found in typical skin and hair care products, which contain high amounts of chemicals and toxins; it is vital to use products that do not contain harsh ingredients like DEA, sodium lauryl sulfate, DEA and propylene glycol. Gentle, natural-based shampoos should be used, since they maintain a good PH balance on the scalp and do not strip it of natural oils. Hair loss should also be tackled from the inside-out; vitamins and minerals such as biotin, selenium and silica have been proven to promote hair as well as beautiful, strong nails and healthy skin.

Exercise: More than a Matter of Beauty

The study linking baldness to atherosclerosis should serve as an urgent wake-up call to anyone who is suffering from androgenetic alopecia; far more than being a merely aesthetic concern, hair loss should prompt us to take our heart health into our own hands through preventative measures, including a heart healthy diet and regular exercise. As a proven antidote to stress, high blood pressure and sugar levels, exercise is a vital tool in combatting metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. Exercise can do a whole lot more than save your hair; it could just save your life.