1. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and other hormonal imbalances
Scientific research has recently revealed the role of dihydrotestesterone, or DHT, in hair loss.
DHT is a form of testosterone that normally circulates throughout the body in both men and women. It binds to androgen receptors in the hair follicle. That triggers a series of reactions inside the cells of the hair follicles and tells them to stop making the proteins that hair is made of.
DHT causes hair loss in both men and women.
Unfortunately as you grow older, more and more testosterone is converted to DHT, the rogue form of testosterone that actually causes your hair to shrink.
2. Poor Circulation
Hair growth requires a lot of nutrients and blood flow.
Scientists studying the blood pressure medication minoxidil found that it had an interesting side effect of causing increased hair growth. Minoxidil works by making blood vessels bigger. Researchers have deduced that hair loss also occurs because of poor circulation and that another way to reverse hair loss is to dilate the blood vessels in the scalp and increase circulation.
Hair follicles require a lot of nutrients to make hair. Oxygen, B-vitamins, amino acids, sulfur, and countless other nutrients need to get to the hair follicle.
Unfortunately, as you age, your vascular tissue hardens and it becomes harder for your hair follicles to get the nutrients they need.
3. Malnutrition
The growth of hair by the hair follicles requires a lot of nutrients and metabolic pathways. If any of these are deficient or missing, then your hair growth will not be at its full potential.
Some of the vitamins essential for hair growth are listed below:
Vitamin A deficiency can cause blindness, dry skin, and frequent infections
Vitamin C is utilized in the production of collagen which is a major structural protein of skin and other connective tissues. Deficiencies in Vitamin C will cause the connective tissue disease known as scurvy.
Recent research[1] shows that vitamin deficiencies is associated with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and alopecia areata (AA) which causes hair loss in localized spots in the scalp.
Vitamin E helps to maintain circulation and prevent a dry, itchy scalp. Because of its rich antioxidant properties, this vitamin can protect hair follicles and also help repair damaged ones.
Biotin, also known as vitamin B7, can increase hair strength and may also reverse hair loss[2]. Hair loss is one of the first signs of biotin deficiency.
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5038097/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3509882/
About the Author:
Dr. Bryan Do, D.O. is an osteopathic physician whose research interests include gastroenterology, immunology, and dermatology. He is particularly interested in the role of probiotics in the gut-brain-skin axis and has written many articles on the topic. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) before graduating from Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana and becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Osteopathic physicians are taught to take a holistic approach to medicine and to consider mind, body, and spirit when treating a patient. Osteopathic physicians receive training in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) in addition to the standard rigorous medical school curriculum. Both physicians with a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree as well as a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) can practice medicine.