Balding by Race?
Dear Doctor,
How do reconcile your two statements below?
“Studies have shown that there is little difference in balding statistics between races.” source – Sept 29, 2008
“Asians (non-balding) generally have less hair than their Caucasian counterpart and also have less balding than their Caucasian counterparts according to studies I have researched in the past.” source – March 11, 2009
Touché.
There is a common belief that Asians bald less, but I really do not know this. The only race that does not bald is the American Indians who migrated over the Alaska Bridge.
I am actually curious about a frequent statement I hear that says Asians bald more frequently since World War II because of the introduction of the American Diet there. Is there any fact to back up this claim??
Based on my observations living in Asia for several years, Male Pattern Baldness seems somewhat less common in Japan than in other Asian countries. I’ve looked for studies comparing Japan to other countries but I can’t seem to find any at the moment. My theory is that the lower calorie Japanese diet in conjunction with the consumption of Miso is the cause of this. Apparently there is some evidence that soy isoflavones can reduce the levels of free dht.
Of course there is male pattern baldness in japan, but it just seems less common. In the link above it is suggested that wigs are very popular. Well maybe, but I’m not convinced that is the sole cause of what I observed.
Dr rassman, any final thoughts…
South east asian and east asian diets have a high dietry intake of tocopherols (form of vit E) compared to western diets that have low dietry intake. There were a couple of studies in the past few months in tropical sciences journal that showed using tocopherol supplementation showed small increases in hair counts over a year period in around 60% and a strengthening of hair in about 15% as far as i remember.
East asian diets have intakes of green tea, soy, seaweed and as mentioned tocopherols..all have been linked to hair loss prevention in some way whether it be scientific or word of mouth.
I have lived in several asian countries and did notice less balding and less hair greying, now as you mention it could be hair dyes and wigs but my father in law who is malay has a strong head of hair and just a few grey hairs in his side burns and he is 65 has diabetes and other complications, and as far as i know never dyes his hair.