TL;DR:
- Cause of Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA): Genetic factors; hair follicles react negatively to DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a derivative of testosterone.
- Role of Diet: Diet can slow AGA progression by providing essential nutrients and limiting harmful DHT conversion; improper diet may exacerbate hair loss.
- Key Nutrients for AGA:
- Unsaturated Fatty Acids: Found in flaxseed oil, nuts, soybeans, pumpkin seeds (ALA), and borage or black currant (GLA).
- Vitamins:
- B Vitamins: Found in spinach, nuts, dairy, seafood.
- Vitamin E: Sources include peanuts, almonds, spinach.
- Vitamin A: Found in kale, carrots, pumpkin, dairy.
- Minerals:
- Zinc: Found in beef, cashews.
- Iodine: Found in seafood, milk.
- Iron: Found in lean red meat, spinach, tuna.
- Herbs: Nettle, horsetail, and burdock root can inhibit DHT and improve hair health.
- Advice: Prioritize diet, consult specialists, and use supplements only as needed.
Excessive hair loss is the bane of many men and women. In order to fight this problem, it is essential to detect the cause of baldness. One of the frequently diagnosed causes of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia. Effective treatment is possible with medications or aesthetic medicine procedures. However, the entire treatment process and the condition of the hair is greatly influenced by diet. What should it look like when the cause of excessive hair loss is androgenetic alopecia?
Main causes of androgenetic alopecia?
Excessive hair loss in a condition such as androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic factors. More specifically, the cause of hair loss is the negative reaction of hair follicles to the male hormone testosterone, particularly its derivative form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It should be noted here that testosterone also occurs in women, so androgenetic alopecia affects not only men, but also women. DHT causes miniaturization and shrinkage of hair follicles, which affects their atrophy. The result is progressive hair loss. The fight against androgenetic alopecia is helped by pharmacological drugs, treatments and a proper diet.
Why is diet so important?
Although androgenic alopecia is caused by genetic factors, with the help of proper diet and treatment, its progression can be effectively reversed. Diet is important because it is through food that essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals are supplied to the body. Their deficiency also affects the weakening condition of the hair. In addition, there are products and substances that inhibit or significantly reduce the conversion of testosterone into its harmful form DHT. It is also worth bearing in mind that some foods consumed may even accelerate hair loss, so a proper diet has a huge impact on the results of treatment.
Unsaturated fatty acids are a must.
Unsaturated fatty acids primarily include alpha linolenic acid and gamma linolenic, linolenic and oleic acids. These are responsible for limiting the conversion of testosterone into its active form DHT. Alpha linolenic acid – ALA belongs to the omega 3 acids, which are known for their beneficial properties for our body. Its main sources are flaxseed oil, hazelnuts and walnuts, soybeans, wheat and grape or pumpkin seeds. On the other hand, gamma linolenic acid – GLA is qualified to the group of omega 6 acids, but those with positive effects. Sources of GLA include borage, a plant that is native to the Mediterranean area. Gamma linolenic acid can also be found in black currant. **Regular supply of the recommended amounts of these fatty acids allows for visible results, especially in the case of androgenetic alopecia.
Vitamins
Vitamins play a key role in the proper functioning of the entire body. That is why they have such a great importance in the case of the problem of excessive hair loss. Of particular importance for the condition of hair are B vitamins. They prevent excessive seborrhea, which contributes to hair loss. In addition, this group of vitamins causes faster hair growth, stimulates the process of hair follicle development and makes hair thicker. B vitamins can be supplied to the body by eating spinach, dairy products, nuts, or seafood and beets. Another important vitamin for hair health is vitamin E, as it affects proper blood circulation. This, in turn, contributes to proper hair growth. Sources of vitamin E are mainly peanuts, almonds and broccoli and spinach. Vitamin A also plays an important role in hair growth. This is because it is responsible for improving the metabolism of hair follicles. Thanks to it, hair becomes thick and dense. The best sources of vitamin A are milk, cottage cheese or butter, as well as kale, carrots and pumpkin.
Important minerals
It is especially important for androgenetic alopecia to provide the body with adequate amounts of zinc, as well as iodine and iron. Zinc deficiency can exacerbate androgenetic alopecia, as can iron deficiency. Zinc regulates the sebaceous glands and amino acid metabolism. In addition, it influences the formation of creatine, the main building block of hair. Its important role is also that it affects the easier absorption of vitamins. Sources of zinc include beef, ginger or cashew nuts. Iodine, on the other hand, controls hair growth, but both deficiency and excess can be harmful, so it is worth constantly monitoring the amount in the body. The main sources of iodine in the diet are seafood, milk and its products and hazelnuts. Iron is also important for hair health. Among other things, it is responsible for the condition of hair follicles. We will supply it to the body by consuming seafood, spinach, broccoli lean red meat and tuna.
Herbs
Herbs have a variety of properties, including those that help fight baldness. It is worth using infusions, rubs and dietary supplements based on them. Among the most popular herbs that inhibit hair loss are field horsetail, nettle and burdock root. Herbs are rich in vitamins and minerals, including those described above. Therefore, drinking infusions is an excellent way to replenish their deficiencies. **For those diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, nettle infusions are especially recommended, as it contains substances that inhibit the secretion of dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for hair loss.
In the case of androgenetic alopecia, it is worthwhile to consult your diet with a specialist and change your eating habits so as to provide your body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, while reducing the factors that exacerbate hair loss. ** Do not take a dozen nutritional supplements and combine them together to make up for vitamin deficiencies ** It is important that a proper diet is the basis – supplementation should only be a supplement.
Visit the OTC.CO Clinic trichology section to consult with a specialist and learn more about how to maintain healthy hair.
Conclusion
Addressing androgenetic alopecia starts with understanding its root causes—genetics and DHT. While treatments and medications are crucial, diet is a game-changer. By focusing on unsaturated fatty acids, key vitamins, minerals, and helpful herbs, you can slow hair loss and promote healthier growth. The right food choices fuel your follicles and combat DHT, proving diet's undeniable role. Skip guesswork and quick fixes; instead, prioritize balanced, nutrient-rich meals designed for hair health. A proper diet isn’t just support—it’s the foundation of lasting results.
