Last updated on March 6th, 2025 at 08:32 am
Fatty liver has become a common metabolic disease, and its prevalence is increasing year after year, especially among groups with unhealthy lifestyles. Meanwhile, hair loss, another prevalent health problem, is equally troubling to many. Fatty liver and hair loss may seem to be unrelated, but they may have some kind of intrinsic connection. So, can a fatty liver cause hair loss?
What is fatty liver?
Fatty liver is a pathological condition in which there is an excessive accumulation of fat in the liver cells due to various reasons.
1. Definition and classification of fatty liver
Fatty liver is defined as a condition in which the amount of fat in the liver cells exceeds 5% of the wet weight of the liver. Depending on the amount of fat, it can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe fatty liver. The fat content of mild fatty liver is between 5% and 10%, moderate fatty liver is between 10% and 25%, and severe fatty liver is more than 25%.
2. Causes and risks of fatty liver
Fatty liver has various causes, including long-term excessive alcohol consumption, high-fat diet, diabetes, obesity, drugs, and other factors. Fatty liver not only affects liver function but also may develop into cirrhosis and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, posing a serious threat to health.
3. Common symptoms and diagnosis of fatty liver
Patients with mild fatty liver often have no obvious symptoms, while in patients with moderate to severe fatty liver, common symptoms include fatigue, loss of appetite, pain in the right upper abdomen, and so on. The diagnosis of fatty liver mainly relies on liver function tests, liver ultrasound, and other methods, and the distribution and extent of liver fat can be visualized through imaging tests.
Can a fatty liver cause hair loss?
1. Effect of fatty liver on hormone level
Fatty liver is not only a liver disease, but it affects the whole endocrine system as well.
In fatty liver, the metabolic function of the liver is affected, which may lead to disruption of hormone metabolism. The liver is the primary site of hormone metabolism, and many hormones are metabolized in the body by the liver before they are removed. Liver cell steatosis in patients with fatty liver may interfere with this process, leading to imbalanced hormone levels.
- Changes in sex hormone levels: A fatty liver may affect the synthesis of sex hormone-binding proteins (SHBG), which in turn affects the levels of androgens and estrogens. Elevated androgen levels may lead to symptoms such as hirsuteness and acne in women, while in men it may exacerbate hair loss.
- Insulin resistance: People with fatty liver disease often have insulin resistance, which may lead to elevated blood sugar and insulin levels. Insulin resistance is not only associated with type 2 diabetes but may also affect the secretion and action of other hormones.
- Inflammatory factors: A fatty liver is often accompanied by a chronic inflammatory state, which may increase the secretion of inflammatory factors, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), which can affect hormone balance.
2. Hormonal changes associated with fatty liver and hair loss
Hair loss is closely related to hormone levels, and fatty liver may lead to hormonal changes associated with hair loss.
- Androgen levels: Androgens play an important role in hair loss, especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Fatty liver may lead to elevated levels of testosterone, which in turn is converted by the enzyme 5α-reductase to the more active DHT. DHT accumulates in the hair follicles of the scalp, shortening the length of hair growth, leading to miniaturization of the hair follicle and ultimately to hair loss.
- Estrogen levels: A fatty liver may affect estrogen levels, which in women is known to promote hair growth. An imbalance in estrogen levels may lead to hair loss.
- Growth hormone and thyroid hormone: A fatty liver may also affect levels of growth hormone and thyroid hormone, which are important for hair growth and circulation. Reduced levels of growth hormone and abnormal thyroid function may both contribute to hair loss.
To summarize, fatty liver may indirectly contribute to hair loss by affecting hormone levels. Therefore, controlling the progression of fatty liver and maintaining the balance of hormone levels is important in preventing hair loss.
3. Impact of malnutrition due to fatty liver on hair loss
Malnutrition due to fatty liver may affect hair health and growth in several ways.
- Inadequate protein intake: Protein is the basis for hair growth. People with fatty liver may have inadequate protein intake due to problems such as loss of appetite and poor digestion and absorption, which in turn affects hair growth and repair, leading to hair loss.
- Micronutrient deficiencies: A fatty liver may affect fat absorption, and the absorption of some fat-soluble vitamins (e.g., vitamins A, D, and E) and micronutrients (e.g., zinc and iron) depends on healthy fat metabolism. Deficiencies in these nutrients can affect the normal functioning of hair follicles, leading to brittle, brittle hair, and even hair loss.
- Impaired energy metabolism: Energy metabolism may be compromised in patients with fatty liver disease, resulting in inadequate energy supply and nutrient supply to the hair follicles, leaving the hair in a resting phase and ultimately leading to hair loss.
- Impaired liver function: The liver is an important organ for processing and storing nutrients. Impaired liver function in fatty liver may affect the metabolism and storage of nutrients, further aggravating malnutrition and affecting hair growth.
4. Impact of fatty liver treatment on hair loss
Treatment measures for fatty liver, such as improving diet and increasing physical activity, are not only beneficial to liver health but may also have a positive impact on hair loss.
- Improving diet: By increasing foods rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, malnutrition can be improved, providing the necessary nutritional support for hair growth and helping to reduce hair loss.
- Weight control: Weight control is an important part of fatty liver treatment. By losing weight, insulin resistance can be improved and hormone levels can be adjusted, which can help improve hair loss.
- Medication: Certain medications used in treating fatty liver, such as antioxidants and lipid-lowering drugs, may help improve liver function and indirectly promote hair growth.
- Lifestyle changes: People with fatty liver disease are encouraged to exercise regularly and reduce alcohol consumption. These lifestyle changes help to improve blood circulation throughout the body and increase the blood supply to the scalp, providing more nutrients to the hair follicles, which can help hair growth.
Treatment of fatty liver not only helps to restore liver health but may also have a positive therapeutic effect on hair loss by improving malnutrition and regulating hormone levels. For this reason, people with fatty liver should focus on their hair health while undergoing treatment.
Preventing hair loss due to fatty liver
To prevent hair loss due to fatty liver, the following measures can be taken:
- Balanced diet: Maintain a balanced diet with an adequate intake of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Increase the intake of fresh vegetables and fruits and reduce foods high in fat, sugar, and salt. Appropriate supplementation of foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as deep-sea fish, can help improve liver fat metabolism.
- Weight control: Obesity is one of the important risk factors for fatty liver. By controlling your weight, you can reduce the accumulation of liver fat and lower the risk of fatty liver. Moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, running, etc., helps weight control.
- Limit alcohol intake: Chronic excessive alcohol consumption is one of the major causes of fatty liver. Limiting alcohol intake, or quitting drinking, can effectively prevent the occurrence and development of fatty liver.
- Avoid excessive dieting: Excessive dieting may lead to malnutrition and affect hair growth. Maintain a reasonable diet structure and avoid blind dieting.
- Reduce stress: Chronic stress and anxiety can affect hormone levels and may lead to hair loss. Reducing stress through yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help maintain hormonal balance.
- Regular medical checkup: Regular medical checkups can help detect and treat fatty liver in time to prevent further deterioration of the condition.
- Scalp care: Keep the scalp clean and use massage combs, such as sandalwood massage combs, for scalp massage care.
Conclusion
There is indeed a link between fatty liver and hair loss. Fatty liver may indirectly affect hair growth and health by affecting hormone levels and causing malnutrition. Therefore, preventing and treating fatty liver is important to reduce the risk of hair loss. Are you ready?
Love Tips
Anti-static and scalp massage.
Try a sandalwood comb.