Androgenetic alopecia, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance: Is there any association? A case-control study.

Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014 Jul;5(3):276-81. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.137776.
Androgenetic alopecia, metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance: Is there any association? A case-control study.
Bakry OA1, Shoeib MA1, El Shafiee MK2, Hassan A1.

CONTEXT:
Although several previous studies have investigated the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) and insulin resistance (IR) with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the results have been inconsistent.
AIM:
We attempted to assess the presence of MS and IR in patients with AGA. This may help to detect if AGA can be considered as a clue for underlying serious systemic diseases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
One hundred male patients with stages III-VII AGA, in Hamilton-Norwood classification, and 100 normal, gender- and age-matched control subjects were included. Anthropometric measures, blood pressure, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured for the all participants. The presence of MS and IR was evaluated.
RESULTS:
There were statistically significant differences regarding mean values of body weight (P < 0.001), height (P = 0.002), waist circumference (P < 0.001), body mass index (P < 0.001), systolic (P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.001), fasting glucose (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), fasting insulin (P = 0.02) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P < 0.001) between cases and controls. A statistically significant association was found between AGA and MS (P = 0.002) and between AGA and IR (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that waist circumference (>102 cm) was the most significant risk factor for developing MS. It increased the risk of MS by 1.25-folds (95% CI = 1.10-1.42, P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Our results support the recommendation for assessing MS and IR in all young males with stage III or higher AGA. Early intervention is critical to reduce the risk and complications of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus later in life.

CS this proves that AGA is not "genetic" but is a pre-symptom of potentially chronic illness' in the future caused by diet, lifestyle, lack of essential micronutrients, stress...etc? Could heavy metal intoxication, fluoride, chloride also bring on MS and IR leading to chronic illness?

CS, a lot of research is pointing to a link between insulin resistance and hair loss. In your opinion, could a ketogenic diet along with supplementation help?

Kazbar wrote:CS this proves that AGA is not "genetic" but is a pre-symptom of potentially chronic illness' in the future caused by diet, lifestyle, lack of essential micronutrients, stress...etc? Could heavy metal intoxication, fluoride, chloride also bring on MS and IR leading to chronic illness?

Yes, exactly.

The orthodox view for years, which is still in existence is that people "acquire all their nutrients" from the food they eat--this unfortunately near impossible to do today.

What does happen though is that heavy metals replace nutrients (mercury instead of zinc), (lead instead of magnesium), and much more. Several trace minerals are necessary for optimal health and connective tissue.

Metabolic syndrome is preventable by the proper nutrients that only medical doctors with an independent education could fathom. The standard education is about 25 years behind current research, so they rarely have an idea of the problem.

We once walked on the earth to get all the silica we needed, I supplement with it now (it's essential for connective tissue, hair and detox).

Then there's iodine, molybdenum, chromium, selenium, which are all important.

There's also some vitamins which help too, particularly vitamins K2/D3.

NonAlcoholic Vodka wrote:CS, a lot of research is pointing to a link between insulin resistance and hair loss. In your opinion, could a ketogenic diet along with supplementation help?

It depends on your metabolic type per se. However, if you feel well on it, it can help reduce inflammation. Getting off all of the grains really helps for some people.

My father, grandfather, great grandfather...etc up/down the ancestral line suffered AGA. Could MS and IR be epigenetic thus AGA being an epigenetic pre-symptom? Because traditionally from father to son the same diet and eating practices have been followed for generations.

Secondly this is a 15th century portrait of a man with AGA, could heavy metal intoxication effected people in this time period?

http://eu.art.com/products/p13728010-sa-i1816888/pedro-berruguete-portrait-of-federigo-da-montefeltro-duke-of-urbino-and-his-son-guidobaldo.htm

Androgens are incredibly sensitivity to toxins. So throughout the ages, people unknowingly worked with things or conditions that were toxic.

CS why are they starting at stage III AGA to look for MS or IR, shouldn't they test for it when acne appears during teenage years? Just saying AGA and acne are related to some effect.

Kazbar wrote:CS why are they starting at stage III AGA to look for MS or IR, shouldn't they test for it when acne appears during teenage years? Just saying AGA and acne are related to some effect.

During adolescence, a large number of people experience a transient (or temporary) insulin resistance. So during that times, it's much easier for someone without a classic insulin resistance to develop skin lesions (on a refined diet).

From all the research I've looked at, insulin resistance is a common feature in advanced or premature balding.

Metabolic syndrome essentially works as a good model for advanced balding because of the elevated blood pressure, triglycerides and IR.