Is the gym making you bald? Weight-lifting and protein shakes rich in growth hormones 'speed-up hair-thinning process'

Men who actively keep fit may be inadvertently speeding-up hair loss.

According to experts, weight-lifting in the gym may play a key role in a man's receding mane - especially if combined with the consumption of popular protein powders.

The theory is based on the belief that, when combined, these two factors increase the body's testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, which are considered key causes of baldness.

Although naturally-produced, DHT - which is a converted version of testosterone - quickly attaches itself to a man's hair strand's receptor cells, blocking the absorption of essential nutrients.

Over time, this gradually causes the follicles to shrink and the hair to wither until it eventually dies.

Thus, by fitness fanatics increasing their exposure to DHI, gym-goers are also risking an earlier on-set of shedding and loss.

Dr Thomy Kouremada-Zioga told the Daily Express: 'Protein shakes will very often contain growth hormones such as Creatine and DHEA, which not only increase muscle mass, but also increase testosterone levels in the bloodstream.

'Testosterone produces a chemical known as DHT, which actually contributes to baldness when the hair follicles become exposed to too much. Sadly, this is something that most men are unaware of, until they notice that their hair loss has already become more apparent.'

However, this can be side-stepped if people swap weights for cardio - and skip the shakes.

Additionally, the issue will only manifest if a person is already predisposed to male pattern baldness.

'It is important to distinguish between cause and effect here. Protein shakes do not cause hair loss,' Dr Kouremada-Zioga continued.

'They do, however, accelerate hair loss for those men who suffer with androgenetic hair loss or alternatively, those who are predisposed to balding, as many men are.'

Health and Baldness

While for many men, the main impact of baldness is psychological — especially when hair loss begins prematurely in a man's early 20s — there are some physiological downsides to the process. Hair loss quite obviously causes an uptick in a man's risk for skin cancer of the scalp.

More unusually, though, researchers have linked male pattern baldness to an increased incidence of heart disease, hypertension, and high levels of cholesterol. This study found risk of heart attack increased along with spreading baldness on the crown of the head. Another study, which involved 250 men between 35 and 65, found those with a blood pressure reading above 120 over 80 (average) had double the risk of hair loss compared to those without hypertension. And past research has consistently linked excessive hair loss to cholesterol levels. Importantly, in all these cases the doctors say the link between baldness and heart health may be obvious but the underlying reasons are not.

While the experts claim these effects may be due to either excess testosterone or to genes, one thing is certain: Men who experience hair loss should begin watching their blood pressure and cholesterol and overall protecting heart health.

If you begin to lose your hair, read it as a visible sign to begin saving your life. Time to change: quit smoking, curb your drinking, and start an exercise and diet program to promote heart health.

How to Get the 7 Essential Anti-Balding Vitamins and Nutrients

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
The foods to eat: Flaxseeds, walnuts, salmon, tuna, kale, Brussels sprouts, rapeseed oil.

Zinc
The foods to eat: Chickpeas, wheat germ, oysters, beef, veal liver, roast beef.

Protein
The foods to eat: Greek yogurt, eggs yolks, kale, peanuts, beans, peas, lentils, tofu, chicken, turkey.

Iron
The foods to eat: Dark leafy greens, whole grains, beans, red meat, turkey, egg yolks, clams, mussels, oysters.

Vitamins A and C
The foods to eat: Swiss chard, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pumpkin.

Magnesium
The foods to eat: Almonds, spinach, cashews, lentils, brown rice, halibut.

Selenium
The foods to eat: Brazil nuts, tuna, halibut, shrimp sardines, ham.

Are you ready to explore your options to combat hair loss?  Call our world-renowned hair duplication specialist Ricky Knowles at 713-623-4247 to schedule a free hair loss consultation!