Weight Training – Hair Loss
Although weight training can deliver some excellent health benefits, it has also been linked to hair loss in both men and women. But that’s certainly not an excuse to avoid hitting the gym altogether—it’s still quite easy to strike a healthy balance in the gym that will allow you to build your body and keep your precious head of hair.
One of the leading reasons why weight training is seen as a potential cause of hair loss is because of the use of steroids. While some types of steroids are indeed illegal and technically shouldn’t even factor into your hair loss scenario, there are plenty of steroids that are completely legal and require great caution when using them. For example, studies consistently show that the use of anabolic steroids increase the quantity of hormones that are related to baldness. In addition, this anabolic steroid-induced baldness can actually multiply the adverse effects of genetically based hair loss.
Another weight training factor to consider as part of your hair loss prevention program is balancing your training routine. It’s actually been found that heavy weight training sessions which fail to include aerobic exercises have been linked to a significant boost in testosterone. In a relatively short period after an intense anaerobic workout, these increased testosterone levels drop off as they are changed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has been shown to actually reduce the size of hair follicles and roots which causes hair growth at that site to slow or stop completely. However, simple additions to your workout routine such as running on an elliptical for 20 – 30 minutes can make a big difference in preventing hair loss.
Furthermore, one of the more popular weight training approaches includes strenuous exercise paired with a higher fat intake. This specific combination increases free testosterone which increases susceptibility to hair loss. Although free testosterone is a highly effective agent for repairing muscles that have been broken down during intensive workouts it’s probably not worth the hair loss that may follow. Instead, you’ll want to look for healthier alternatives that do not include increased fat intake. There are plenty of weight training programs available today so you should have little trouble finding an alternative.
However, weight training is responsible for a positive trend in hair loss prevention. Since protein is required for the production of keratin (protein form of hair), the increased protein intake often involved with weight training programs can deliver some great hair growing capabilities. Since your body’s main responsibility is survival, protein is first used for vital processes, and the remaining amounts are then used for what can be considered secondary processes such as hair growth. By continuously supplying your body with a sufficient amount of protein you give it the best chance to use enough proteins for optimal hair growth.
While there are virtually limitless types of protein supplements specifically available for weight training professionals, you should never underestimate the incredibly high quality of complete protein chains found in good ol’ fashioned milk! You may also choose to take your increased protein consumption a step further by looking into some of the latest weight training products that are specifically engineered to improve protein metabolism to help your body efficiently convert protein for improved muscle mass and hair growth.