Does Exercise Help Promote Hair Growth?

It is often said that exercise helps stimulate hair growth and this would seem to make sense as what is good for the body in general must surely effect the condition of your hair. But before all you guys start jogging in the hope of regaining the locks of your youth it is worth examining the facts.

Exercise and Blood Circulation

Regular exercise improves blood circulation, so follicles will get a boost of oxygen and nutrients from our diet will also reach them easier. Good blood circulation also distributes natural sebum evenly across the scalp, leading to good hair growth.

Exercise and Hormones For Hair Growth

Numerous studies have shown that exercise lowers stress levels which in turn increases what are known as sex hormone-binding globulin, or SHBG’s. These control the levels of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, the higher the levels of SHBG the less sex hormones are left to freely circulate and enter the body cells. SHBG’s have been found to be lower and hence, free testosterone levels higher, amongst men who experience hair loss before the age of 30. So logically it would follow, that exercise in moderation can regulate hormones favourably for hair growth.

However, strength training with weights, increases testosterone levels, which has been linked with hair loss. The main reason why women never go bald regardless of age is their hormones. Female hormones like estrogen and progesterone boost hair growth, which is why pregnant women experience increased hair growth as their hormone levels are much higher than usual.

Exercise and Cortisone

‘Cortisone’ or ‘cortisol’ is a stress hormone secreted by the adrenal gland during times of prolonged stress, sleep deprivation or starvation. Stress, is disastrous for hair, amongst other things. When this happens, the body further increases production of stress hormone and cortisone has been shown to inhibit the performance of hair follicles, resulting in thinning hair.

Regular workouts which focus primarily on cardiovascular or aerobic exercises release serotonin and endorphins or ‘feel-good’ hormones to counter cortisol production. A lower cortisol level can promote hair growth.

However it is worth noting, that taking on an exercise program that’s too intense for one’s current fitness level may actually release extra cortisone by switching the body into stress mode. So it is important to exercise under the guidance of a fitness expert or at least to know one’s limits, so that you don’t put your body through something it is not ready to cope with.

Exercise Reduces DHT

Slow steady exercises like jogging or yoga regulate hormones and reduce the formation of the male sex hormone Dihydrotestosterone or DHT which is a major cause of balding in men and also contributes to hair loss in women. While it is true that regular controlled exercise plans can balance the amount of DHT in the body, extreme bodybuilding, can have the opposite effect and pump up the production of DHT. Moderate exercise three to five times a week reduces the DHT produced by the body. The key again is not to overdo workouts and maintain regularity.

Exercise and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)-related Hair Problems

PCOS is one of the most common female endocrine disorders, many women with this disorder discover that the hair on their heads does not grow at the usual pace. Annoyingly enough, they find themselves battling with unwanted body or facial hair, a common side effect of PCOS. This happens because the serum androgen level of these women is unnaturally high. Androgen, or male hormones, as we already know, are not your hair’s best friends. Many PCOS sufferers have claimed that exercising and keeping their weight under check helps to control the hormonal imbalance caused by the disease as well as its unpleasant side effects such as a thinning scalp.

Exercise For Perimenopause-related Hair Problems

The transition into menopause can cause hair loss but it has been shown that doing a minimum of 30 minutes of daily exercise can help get hair growth back on track.

Conclusion

Try to develop an exercise program that ideally incorporates mainly cardio workouts with a small number of strength training exercises. Doing these four to five times a week should be sufficient. Begin at a comfortable pace and increase the difficulty level as your capacity increases. With trial and error you will find the right amount and type of exercises that are ideal for you. What works well for the rest of your body without making workouts an over-strenuous affair is likely to work well for your hair as well. Listen to your body and look for other signs that tell you if you are over-exercising and doing more harm than good to your hair.

Article Source: sooperarticles.com/health-fitness-articles/hair-care-articles/does-exercise-help-promote-hair-growth-587856.html

About Author:

Kate Waters is a fitness and nutrition expert and writer. For more information and resources see Health-and-Fitness-It-Is.comAuthor: Kate Waters