Genetics and food: The science behind premature hair loss in men

Premature hair loss can be a frustrating and distressing experience for many men. This rampant condition affecting men, particularly younger men, can start as early as the late teens or early twenties and often feels like a battle with genetics.
But is it all in your DNA, or could your diet be playing a bigger role than you think?
A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST
Hair loss in men isn’t a new problem. Historical accounts suggest that people have been battling baldness for centuries.
Ancient Egyptians, for instance, documented various concoctions to prevent hair loss, mixing everything from animal fats to herbal remedies.
The Greek physician Hippocrates, known as the father of modern medicine, experienced baldness himself and even created a famous “cure” involving opium and pigeon droppings (which, unsurprisingly, didn’t work).

Historical accounts suggest that people have been battling baldness for centuries. (Photo: Getty Images)

In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar was always on the lookout for ways to conceal his thinning hair. Enter the laurel wreath!
Caesar is also credited with inventing the first “comb-over” in history (yes, it wasn’t just a modern trend). He would grow his hair long at the back and comb it forward to cover his bald spot.
However, while ancient cultures attributed hair loss to everything from bad omens to excessive thinking, modern science tells a different story. And it starts with genetics.
THE ROLE OF GENETICS
In 1940s, anatomist Dr James Hamilton during his study at a mental health hospital explored a link between testosterone and male pattern baldness. He found that men retained their hair due to low testosterone levels.
The discovery that dihydrotestosterone (a testosterone byproduct) causes hair loss led to treatments like finasteride and minoxidil, which help slow or halt hair loss in men.
It also touches on insulin resistance as a potential factor in baldness, while humorously acknowledging the limitations of current treatments, wrote Dr Joe Schwarcz from McGill University.
The most common type of premature hair loss in men is called androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness (MPB). This form of hair loss affects up to 50% of men by the age of 50, but for some, it starts much earlier.

The most common type of premature hair loss in men is called androgenetic alopecia. (Photo: Getty Images)

The genetic culprit? A sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone derived from testosterone. Over time, DHT causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to thinning hair and eventually bald patches.
Research shows that this genetic predisposition often runs in families. If your father or grandfather experienced early hair loss, chances are you might too.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj, dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, affirmed that there is a strong link between genetics and hair loss.
“If parents developed hairfall at 50, children are developing at 25. This shows that it could be because of genetics. But today, children are developing unhealthy lifestyle routines, which is exacerbating the condition to develop earlier,” said Dr Bhardwaj.
A study published in PLOS Genetics highlighted over 250 genetic regions linked to male pattern baldness, proving that hair loss can indeed be inherited.
Interestingly, these genes aren’t just passed down through the father’s side. There’s evidence that maternal genetics also play a significant role in determining whether a man will experience premature balding.
CAN YOUR DIET AND WATER INFLUENCE HAIR LOSS?
While genetics play a substantial role, it’s not the only factor at work.
Emerging research points to diet as a contributing cause of premature hair loss. Hair needs essential nutrients to stay healthy, and a lack of these can exacerbate hair loss.

Emerging research points to diet as a contributing cause of premature hair loss. (Photo: Getty Images)

Take, for example, biotin (vitamin B7), zinc, and iron. Deficiencies in these nutrients have been linked to hair thinning.
A study in Dermatology Practical & Conceptual in found that iron deficiency could contribute to hair shedding in men, while zinc deficiency might impair the healthy growth of hair follicles.
Another player is protein. Hair is made primarily of a protein called keratin, so if you’re not getting enough protein in your diet, your body might deprioritise hair growth in favour of other vital functions.
Dr Bhardwaj highlighted that many gym-goers might also experience hair loss because of excessive amounts of protein supplements. Besides this, using hair gels, hair products with harsh chemicals can also disrupt the proper growth of hair.

Hair is made primarily of a protein called keratin, so if you’re not getting enough protein in your diet, your body might deprioritise hair growth. (Photo: Getty Images)

Bengaluru-based Dr Divya Sharma said that hair loss is affected mostly due to internal factors like nutrition, metabolism and hormones.
“Washing hair with hard water cannot directly affect the growth or shedding of the hair. Hard water may make scalp cleansing tough. Directly it might not affect them. People moving to new cities undergo stress, changes in their food patterns and diet. So there’s no evidence that hard water can affect hair loss,” said Dr Sharma.
A BALANCED PERSPECTIVE
So, is it genetics or food or lifestyle that’s to blame for premature hair loss? The answer, as with many things in health, is a bit of both. Genetics set the stage, determining your predisposition to hair loss.
However, lifestyle choices, including diet, stress management, and general health, can impact how quickly that stage unfolds, suggest experts.
In other words, while you can’t change your genes, you can certainly take steps to care for your hair. Eating nutrient-dense foods, managing stress, and maintaining a healthy scalp might not completely prevent baldness, but they can help delay it.