How to stop hair loss

How do you know whether you’ll go bald early? Some people say it’s based on your mother’s father, but that’s not entirely correct. You probably know a bald person whose maternal grandfather has a full head of hair, or vice versa.

The idea of looking to your ancestors to figure out your chances of going bald isn’t completely off-base, though. In fact, your genetics are primarily responsible for determining whether or not you’ll go bald. This is true regardless of your gender.

A recent genetic study found one gene to be the cause of both male balding and prostate enlargement. Finding out whether you have this gene allows you to take steps to prevent hair loss and prostate enlargement. The sooner you take action, the better off you’ll be.

The gene behind hair loss

You’ve heard of testosterone, but have you heard of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)? DHT is 5 times as potent as normal testosterone. Having a high amount of DHT in your body typically results in ripped muscles and a “manly man” physique. Unfortunately, lots of DHT is also bad for your hair follicles.

This is because high DHT production makes your hair follicles have a shorter growth phase and a longer resting phase. As a result, they become less anchored to your scalp and fall out more easily. This leads to problems such as hair thinning, hair loss, balding, and having a receding hairline.

The main gene associated with DHT is called SRD5A2. This gene is responsible for converting testosterone into DHT. If you have the slow version of this gene, your DHT levels will be lower. Having the fast version, on the other hand, will give you higher levels of DHT, resulting in the hair problems listed above.

The connection between balding and having an enlarged prostate

On the surface, it might seem like balding and prostate enlargement are unrelated. Digging into the genes, however, reveals an important correlation that you should be aware of.

Remember the SRD5A2 gene that gives you extra high levels of DHT? Having the fast version of this gene not only makes you more prone to hair loss; it also makes you more likely to have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)–otherwise known as an enlarged prostate.

The symptoms of prostate enlargement are as follows:

• Difficulty urinating
• Urgent need to urinate
• Frequent urination at night
• Inability to empty the bladder

Prostate enlargement and prostate cancer are not related. If you have an enlarged prostate, your likelihood of getting prostate cancer remains the same as someone without an enlarged prostate. While having an enlarged prostate is not likely to be dangerous in and of itself, it tends to be quite uncomfortable. 

Both balding and prostate enlargement tend to occur later in life. That’s why it’s essential to find out whether you have the fast version of the SRD5A2 gene as early as possible. Once you know, you can begin preventative measures in both areas.

What about female hair loss?

Women can experience hair loss just like men can. Again, the reason is the high levels of DHT caused by the fast SRD5A2 gene. Women who have this gene can also struggle with cystic acne and other hormonal problems because of the extra DHT.

Both men and women who have high estrogen levels are likely to have long, flowing hair. The CYP19A1 gene, which converts testosterone into estrogen, determines how much estrogen you have. If you have the fast version of this gene, you’re likely to have plenty of estrogen (and healthy hair follicles).

Of course, that doesn’t mean that people who are estrogen dominant are without issues. They tend to have a slower metabolism and more cellulite. Extremely high estrogen levels have been linked to autoimmune disorders, mood and behavior disorders, and even some forms of cancer.

How to prevent balding and prostate enlargement

If you’re aware that you have the fast version of the SRD5A2 gene, you can take proactive measures to decrease your likelihood of experiencing hair loss and having an enlarged prostate. As anyone with a receding hairline will tell you, it’s much easier to prevent hair loss than to grow back the hair you already lost.

Here are some steps you can take to bring your hormones into balance:

• Eat plenty of fenugreek
• Stop using cleaning products with harsh chemicals
• Avoid excessive use of hair products
• Try taking certain supplements such as tocotrienols, saw palmetto, and EGCG

• Exercise regularly
• Adopt a plant-based diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains

Are you ready to find out whether you’re genetically predisposed to hair loss and prostate enlargement? The best way is to decode your genes through our 360 DNA Report. You’ll discover whether your DHT levels are high as well as 37 other custom reports surrounding sleep, diet, nutrition, fitness, cardiovascular health, immunity, and behavior.

Each custom report includes your genetic tendencies as well as practical steps you can take to optimize your health and wellness. You are a unique individual, and you deserve health strategies that reflect your unique genome. Get started today.