Why Hair Matters
The quick answer: There’s a link between acne, male pattern baldness, heart disease, and hormone-related cancers. The solution: a whole foods diet, sparing of animal products.
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The Milk-Acne Theory
Acne has been linked to an inflammatory diet high in sugar and milk products and low in whole foods—the modern diet. (Other causes of inflammation include food allergies, and protracted stress.) The suspected role of milk and dairy products in acne was mentioned in the last post, but merits further attention.
In the ‘60s Dr. Jerome K. Fisher, a Pasadena, CA, dermatologist, studied 1000 acne patients and found a link to milk intake, when compared to teens studied in NYC. The Pasadena kids consumed more milk and had more acne. Fisher’s work was presented at a 1966 ADA meeting, covered here by Time Magazine.
The Time Magazine article noted that hormones like testosterone were a trigger for acne, and suggested (from Fisher’s work) that progesterone from cow’s milk played a similar role. In the 1920s, hard times for dairy farmers led to the practice of milking cows further into the pregnancy of the next calf, exposing consumers to higher levels of bovine hormones like progesterone. Progesterone breaks down into androgens that trigger the acne cycle in upper body pores. Dr. Fisher also studied the role of dietary sugar and stress in acne, noting surges of acne after school finals, and a decline by the end of a carefree summer. (The first time I read this excellent Time article it was free; the second time it required a subscription.)
In the ‘70s other studies linked bovine hormones increasingly found in milk butterfat with follicle DHT testosterone associated with acne, and baldness. Unfortunately, further study was not funded so the issue of milking pregnant cows and the health impact on consumers was ignored.
Today, three highly regarded doctors—Dr. Danby, a dermatologist and Dartmouth Med School professor, Dr. C. A. Adebamowo (who earned a 2nd doctorate at Harvard studying the link between dairy and acne), and Dr. W.C. Willett, the respected head of Harvard School of Public Health—maintain a website that addresses the milk-acne theory. For the scientifically minded, a copy of Dr. Fisher’s original paper is posted. To see an insightful animation on follicle maturation and acne development, go here.
Testosterone 101
The topic of our last post, acne, leads to this week’s topic, premature baldness. Both occur in the pores that grow hair, and both are driven by the hormone testosterone. Some testosterone facts:
- It’s the male hormone, but women have it too, about 1/10 as much. Women have less but—no surprise here—are more sensitive to its action.
- It’s the primary anabolic hormone, linked to muscle, bone, and hair growth.
- It’s also androgenic, driving male sexual development and aiding female maturation.
- It’s mainly produced in the testes (or ovaries), but also in the adrenal glands.
- Interestingly, falling in love reduces the male level and increases the female level, with the nice result that male/female behavior becomes more alike. (The proof is when you go to a sad movie and both cry at the same time—very scary for the guy.)
- Fatherhood also reduces testosterone level, increasing the paternal caring instinct.
- There is a seasonal cycle too, with higher levels in the fall, when the nights grow longer.
- There’s a nice story here: the testosterone explosion of puberty drives men to fall crazily in love; being in love and having children reduces testosterone while increasing the caring instinct; during the adult years testosterone levels slowly decline as the family grows, with the result that aggression and risky behavior are replaced by benevolent affection and wisdom. The final product—a grandfather.
In the hair follicles, enzymes convert about 5% of testosterone to a more potent form, dihydroxytestosterone, or DHT, which brings us to the subject of baldness.
For Men
Anyone else noticed how many virile young guys are going bald? It’s driving a new hairstyle: no hair—as in the shaved head reminiscent of Mr. Clean. What’s driving this, and does it have to do with diet? Is male pattern baldness another chronic disease? Here are some facts:
- Male pattern baldness runs in families—there’s a genetic influence.
- A high level of testosterone is linked to hair loss. A 1942 study of men who had their testes removed (the main source of testosterone) found that even in bald families, the men kept their hair. (One small job benefit for those eunuchs.)
- How is hair lost? In the hair follicle, testosterone is converted to the potent hormone DHT that in excess can kill the follicle. (While DHT is linked to baldness on the head, it’s perversely tied to unwanted hair growth elsewhere.)
- An excess of DHT testosterone in the hair follicles causes first acne, then hair loss, later BPH (enlarged prostate), prostate cancer, and even heart disease.
- Testosterone is tricky—guys need a little to be romantic, but too much leaves them like Samson after Delilah, hairless.
Diet and DHT Testosterone
Can diet play a role in healthy DHT testosterone levels? This is another topic where the science doesn’t get funded, but there are some clues to the hormone imbalance behind acne, baldness, and possibly heart disease and the hormone-related cancers. Hair loss, meaning male pattern baldness beginning with the crown, is an important indicator of health. Hair does matter.
Studies show that DHT testosterone can be managed through healthy exercise, stress management, and a whole foods diet. Studies suggest these dietary improvements:
- Reduce animal products like meat, milk, and dairy. Organic milk, though its twice the price, has fewer bovine hormones.
- Eat more cold-water fish, the source of omega-3 essential fats, and less omega-6, found in vegetable oils and margarine.
- Enjoy fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. They’re rich in vitamins, minerals like zinc, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Eat whole grains; minimize refined carbs, sugar.
Night Shade Plants
On the subject of antioxidants, cooks should be aware of the nightshade plants, a large group that includes potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant (shown above). They’re nutritious, rich in antioxidants, so fit the list above, but they do contain alkaloids that may be inflammatory to some. This isn’t well documented, but reactions may include eczema, rashes, and joint discomfort similar to arthritis. If you have these problems, consult your doctor. Otherwise, include these plants in your diet:
Potatoes: After wheat, corn, and rice, potatoes feed the world. “How the Potato Changed the World, in the November Smithsonian, recounts how planting potatoes from the New World stabilized the food supply of Europe in the 1700s, ending the cycle of famines, and enabling the rise of the West. It’s true that potatoes have a high glycemic index, but there’s still a place for them in a healthy diet. Store them in the dark and remove any green spots or sprouts.
Tomatoes: Rich in the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes are good for your heart as well as the bones. Loaded with phytonutrients, they regulate fats in the blood stream (are claimed to be as helpful as the statin drugs), and protect against blood clots. Diced tomatoes add moisture and flavor to a baked potato. Cooking tomatoes, as in sauces, improves the bioavailability of lycopene antioxidants.
Peppers: With tomatoes, bell peppers are among the richest sources of vitamin A, the carotenoid antioxidants, and other phytonutrients. Laboratory studies have suggested they’re protective of certain cancers. Enjoy them at any stage of ripeness—green, yellow, or red.
Eggplant: After reading about eggplant, we resolved to add them to our menu. They’re rich in phenolic antioxidants.
Please comment, and share your experience with acne, or baldness. Does any reader have difficulty with nightshade plants? Also, we’re looking for a tasty eggplant recipe.
Need a reminder? Download our Healthy Change reminder card. Print and fold, then place in your kitchen or on your bathroom mirror to help you remember the Healthy Change of the week.
Monday, October 24, 2011 at 6:45PM | by Skip Hellewell | 12 Comments | 9 References | Share Article | in healthy change, vegetables | Email Article
Reader Comments (12)
Thank you for the clarification on the milk/acne relationship. We mostly drink raw milk from our own cows and we do not milk them when they are pregnant (we also do not give them any hormones). I am guessing that we are ok. I recently read about nightshade plants and the potential for exacerbation of inflammation. The suggestion was to not eat them (or be sparing) when recovering from joint or muscle injuries.
Greg, a question. Is there an annual cycle to the cow's pregnancy, and how many months of the year do you milk your cows? What do you do with the separated cream? Thanks.
My fiance and I eat a vegan diet, and have noticed a huge decrease in acne, as well as healthier hair growth. While we always incorporated the vegetables you mentioned in our diet, they've really become more of staples since we usually use the heartier veggies (sweet potatoes, eggplants, mushrooms, squash, etc) as bases to our meals, which may be helping as well.
Hi Skip... so enjoy reading your blog and love the information as well as the tone and approach you take. I read this post with interest as my 37 year old husband lost his hair early in our marriage and it still bothers him. His father and brothers are also balding or are bald. My husband is lactose intolerant but never was formally diagnosed- just never liked milk or cheese and we have figured out it probably made him sick as a child and that's why he avoided it. He also doesn't like tomatoes and can't really explain why. He does not have a problem with acne but fits the description of a high-testoterone male. He also has eczema that developed in early adulthood. I'm not sure how all of this connected, but it was interesting to read your article and see all these things in my own husband. The health/food connection is so strong and it's great to read informative articles that provide science and gentle suggestions. Thank you!
We are vegans, and one of our favorite eggplant recipes, eggplant and pine nut rolled lasagne, is found on the vegan yum yum website:
http://veganyumyum.com/2009/01/eggplant-and-pine-nut-rolled-lasagna/
Enjoy!
Also, before we turned vegan we were vegetarian for many years. The only dairy I gave my family came from a private, raw dairy farm that used no hormones and only milked their cows after the calves were born. I thought it was fine. It wasn't until we made the decision to be vegan and exclude all dairy and eggs that we realized how much better we felt! Stomach aches and stuffy sinuses were every day normal until we cut out the milk. I have never felt so good! Even my kids were aware enough to realize that they felt better without dairy.
As a kid, I would break out in a rash if I ate tomato products. I have tried to "like" tomatoes, as an adult, but just can't do it. Interesting to read about the nightshade plants and the inflammation effects.
As for milk and meat, I was just thinking today that the products in and of themselves aren't necessarily bad but, like you said, it's the un-natural ways we've done to them: adding hormones, and fortifying milk. Giving cows and chickens antibiotics, hormones, unhealthy diets, and living conditions--of course eating that kind of meat would have to have a negative effect on our bodies.
Unless you hunt wild game, or have access to grass fed cows, and raw milk, (consuming it sparingly) It seems safer and healthier to be a vegan.
Lastly, I wanted to share my experience with acne. I've probably already told this in previous posts but since it just fits in perfectly with this post...
After my 4th child, I started getting moderate to severe adult acne. It was completely baffling to me. I thought there might be some connection with milk then, so I stopped drinking it--still don't much, tried my best to eat whole foods, lots of veggies--still do, and tried EVERY topical solution I could find--from apple cider vinegar to more costly treatments, lotions, cleansers, dermatologists, etc. Nothing was working. I concluded that my hormones were out of whack and I somehow had to get them undercontrol--nothing external was doing anything. My last resort was going to be the birth control pill--the only solution the doctors had--because I wasn't even wanting to leave my house at that point.
Then in my online searching, I came across Women to Women Personal Online program. It was run by female doctors who claimed to be able to fix women's hormone problems in a natural way--no birth control pills or hormone replacements. I only decided to give it a try because it was a 60 day money back guarantee. What did I have to lose this time?
Started on a regimen of vitamins and phytotherapy herb supplements 2x/day. Included in the program were lifestyle changes such as eating fresh vegetables at every meal, even breakfast, then of course moderate exercise, adequate sleep, etc.--the things I was already trying my best to do before but weren't enough.
End of story? One month and my acne was gone as well as PMS!!!!! I was sooo grateful!!! Now I don't need to take the phytotherapy herbs, just the maintenance vitamins (fish oil, magnesium, etc.) and I have had clear skin for months!!!! Did I mention how grateful I am?!!! This is why when you start discrediting supplements I have to come to their defense. They changed my life for the better. I think some bodies need extra help to get balanced. When I go on vacation and stop taking them for a few days??? The acne comes back.
If you have adult acne, going vegan would definitely help. Hopefully that will fix it--if it doesn't --look up women to women.
LC, that's a great story, about your persistence in resolving adult acne. Glad for your success.
To clarify: We're not opposed to supplements, if ordered by a qualified doctor with a specific diagnosis. Our concern is about the casual, unprescribed use without any diagnosis, that is meant as a bandage for a bad diet. There was a recent article about this in the Wall Street Journal, "Is This the End of Popping Vitamins?" It reviewed a series of studies showing no benefit and even harm from multivitamins to people with normal health and wondered if the unprescribed use of these pills was due to end. Best to you.
Natalie, thank you for your link to the eggplant lasagna!I'm going to try that next time I go shopping (need the essential ingredients of lasagna plates and eggplant...). I love eggplants!
Two of my favourite eggplant dishes are Baba ghanouj and pasta sauce with eggplants, tomatoes and possibly some minced meat (preferrably lamb). As I usually "just do it", I'm afraid I'm quite bad at giving recipies (not to mention that I use metric measurements), but I found a good recipe for Baba ghanouj here: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/eggplant_dip_baba_ghanouj/
The pasta sauce, I cook just as I would cook Bolognese, only with cubed eggplant instead of the minced meat (and possibly with the addition of some minced lamb).
My favorite eggplant recipe... thinly sliced, drizzled with olive oil & fresh ground S&P, oven-roasted. YUM! Eat straight from the pan, serve as a side dish, add to other dishes, toss in salad.... so many delicious choices!
What a wonderful blog, so full of valuable information, I greatly enjoy reading it. Time has passed so quickly since I had the pleasure to meet you with my dauther and her friend on this sunny afternoon in the Historical Society, I am happy I can contribute my little piece to your blog with a basque eggplant recipiee a favourite in our family for generation: la ZINGARA: here it goes for four people, you can double, triple the recipie, but it has been with another eggplant recipie one of my children's favorite:
One big eggplant
one or two Tbsp tomatoe paste (if you are in a hurry) or 3 tomatoes and one glove of garlic if you have time
1 TBS olive oil
1/4 to 1/2 cup grated swiss cheese
Peel, cube and plunge eggplant in boiling salted water to cover, cook until soft, drain, stew the tomatoes with garlic and the olive oil in a separate pot tighly closed until cooked.
Puree the eggplant and the tomatoes in a blender, heat slowly in a pot and add the cheese while tunring so that it melts, Serve hot with any roasted meat or on toasted sliced bread. Enjoy
I always love when I make a healthy recipe and later find out that my meal had so many hidden benefits! For example: I just made a great batch of what I call "ratatouille stew". It's such a simple and adaptable recipe. I use one large can (500mL) crushed tomatoes, same amount of diced tomatoes, 2c Eggplant, 2c Zucchini, 2c Peppers (I used green in this last batch), 2c Cremini mushrooms. I start the recipe off by sautéing onion and garlic and adding the vegetables into the pot in reverse order as they're listed and finally toss in some chili flakes to finish it off. You can adapt the amount of veggies, the thickness, spice level... anything!
I was just told about your post and I cannot express how ecstatic I am to read it!! It's exactly what I have been looking for. An informative, not overly opinionated or extreme, look into food and how we process it. Here is an eggplant recipe, in all honesty i haven't tried it yet, but I keep meaning too!
http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/09/roasted-eggplant-with-tomatoes-and-mint/
This blogger has a great outlook on food. Eat healthy and fresh for the most part - with some occasional (AMAZING) treats when the time is appropriate.