Can fatty liver disease cause hair loss? Here's what emerging research suggests

Fatty liver disease, and particularly non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NAFLD), is widely recognized for its link with liver function and supposed involvement in hair maintenance. While the connection between alopecia and liver function is not well comprehended, several mechanisms have been documented that can explain the connection.

Nutrient deficiency
The liver has to metabolize and store such nutrients that are essential for a healthy hair, such as iron, zinc, and B vitamins. When the liver does not perform as it should, the body's mechanism of absorbing and utilizing such nutrients is disrupted, leading to such deficiencies that lead to hair loss and baldness. It has been found by research that patients of liver disease have a low level of such important nutrients required for healthy hair follicles.

Hormonal balance in the body
The liver also regulates the balance of hormones, such as androgens and estrogens, which directly influence the hair growth cycle. Failure of the liver functions leads to endocrine disturbances, such as an increased level of androgens, that contribute to androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness). These endocrine disturbances can disrupt the cycle of hair growth, resulting in excessive hair loss and thinning.

Oxidative stress and bodily inflammation

Oxidative stress and inflammation, both common among fatty liver disease patients, can be toxic to the hair follicles. Excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species could result in cellular harm to the hair follicles, stimulating hair loss. Additionally, derangement of the mechanism of the liver for detoxification in getting rid of toxins from the body might cause toxins to accumulate and thereby destroy the hair follicles.

Case-studies

A link between alopecia (baldness) and fatty liver disease has also been looked into in a recent study. A case-control study published in the PubMed revealed that patients with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder of baldness, had higher frequencies of fatty liver compared to controls. In particular, 40.6% of the patients with alopecia universalis, a more extensive form of alopecia areata, were found to have fatty liver versus 21.9% in controls. Conversely, however, this association, according to the study, was not statistically significant, which means that there is perhaps some association, but one does not always need to be.

Though there is no cause-and-effect relationship between baldness and fatty liver disease yet through further research, patients of liver can contribute to the health of hair and liver:

What can we do
Nutrient-rich diet: Having a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet can reverse deficiencies that lead to baldness. Antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral-dense foods not just help in maintaining the health of the liver but general health as well.

Exercise: Regular exercise will enhance the ability of the liver to function and inflammation reduction that could be beneficial on hair health.

Medical Consultation: If one is experiencing hair loss, one is recommended to consult medical professionals in an attempt to ascertain the cause of hair loss and how to address hair loss. Repair of liver problems might be included among the ways treated for hair loss.

Last but not least, although the connection between hair loss and fatty liver disease remains yet to be extensively researched, it is shown that the condition of the liver contributes significantly to healthy hair. Leading a healthy life and visiting the doctor if necessary, one can indulge in healthy hair as well as liver.