Wheat germ oil

Potential efficacity for hair loss : ⭐⭐⭐

My recommendation

Wheat germ oil might offer potential benefits in reducing androgenetic alopecia due to its anti-androgenic properties. It could also be useful in addressing other forms of alopecia associated with oxidative stress or inflammation. Its capacity to stimulate the Wnt/B-catenin signaling pathways is also of interest.

Nonetheless, I would advise you to consider options that have solid scientific evidence supporting their effectiveness for treating alopecia. Furthermore, it's worth noting that wheat germ oil can be relatively costly.

Home 9 Vegetable oils 9 Wheat germ oil

Wheat Germ Oil

Wheat germ oil is derived from the germ of the wheat grain, and it takes approximately 1000 kilograms of wheat to produce one liter of this oil. This makes it a relatively costly product.

Its applications are quite restricted because it is not suitable for cooking, mainly due to its short shelf life and strong odor. However, it is valued for its therapeutic properties, such as increasing blood flow, promoting wound healing, and providing anti-inflammatory effects, among others.

Is it effective against hair loss?

As of now, we have limited information and scientific studies regarding the use of wheat germ oil in relation to hair loss. In this article, we will mainly rely on deductions drawn from its components.

In general, vegetable oils share quite similar compositions, and wheat germ oil is no exception.

Here are the major components of wheat germ oil:

Linoleic acid: 56%
Palmitic acid: 16%
Oleic acid: 13%
Alpha-linolenic acid: 8%
Other compounds: Rich in vitamin E

Based on my research, wheat germ oil may potentially address hair loss in the following manner:

Anti-androgen properties

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a natural androgenic hormone synthesized by our bodies from testosterone in various tissues. This conversion is mediated by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase (5aR).

DHT is a significant factor in androgenetic alopecia, as it plays a role in the inflammatory process occurring in the scalps of individuals genetically predisposed to hair loss. This process leads to the gradual thinning of hair, a phenomenon known as miniaturization. Therefore, reducing the formation of DHT is believed to potentially reduce hair loss.

Wheat germ oil comprises 56% linoleic acid, 13% oleic acid, and 8% alpha-linolenic acid. These three fatty acids, accounting for a total of 77% of this oil, have the capacity to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase and thus decrease the production of DHT (source) (source).

In a study conducted in 1992 by T. Liang and S. Liao, oleic, linoleic, elaidic, linolelaidic, and gamma-linolenic acids were found to demonstrate anti-DHT properties through the inhibition of 5aR.

(source)

Consequently, it can be inferred that the topical application of wheat germ oil may reduce DHT formation and, in turn, potentially alleviate or even prevent androgenetic alopecia.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Inflammation is a defense mechanism of the immune system that is triggered when the body experiences any form of attack, such as infection, irritation, muscle strain, or injury.

Interestingly, nearly all types of alopecia are characterized by the presence of chronic inflammation in the scalp, and reducing this inflammation has proven effective in minimizing hair loss (source).

In several studies, alpha-linolenic and oleic fatty acids have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activities (source) (source) (source) (source).

Given that wheat germ oil is composed of approximately 21% of these two fatty acids, it can be speculated that it may mildly reduce the chronic inflammation associated with androgenetic or areata alopecia.

There are other vegetable oils with higher concentrations of anti-inflammatory fatty acids, such as olive oil, which contains 75% oleic acid.

Antioxidant properties

Oxidative stress is one of the contributing factors to hair loss. This condition arises when free radicals outnumber the body’s antioxidants, often due to factors such as stress, a poor diet, or exposure to pollution.

Oxidative stress can lead to significant health problems, including hair loss, inflammation, premature aging, heart disease, and certain types of cancer (source).

Wheat germ oil is known for its potent antioxidant properties, primarily because of its high content of vitamin E.

In a 2010 study led by Lim Ai Beoy and colleagues, it was observed that vitamin E supplementation could effectively reduce hair loss (source).

In fact, the group receiving a daily dose of 100 mg of vitamin E, in the form of tocotrienols and alpha-tocopherols, experienced a significant increase in hair density. Over 8 months, this group saw their hair density rise from 284.8 to 383.1, marking a remarkable 34.5% increase, while the placebo group showed no changes.

Researchers concluded that this hair growth stimulation was directly linked to the antioxidant properties of vitamin E.

Numerous other studies and articles also support these antioxidant attributes (source) (source) (source).

Linoleic acid’s potential to boost hair growth

Wheat germ oil comprises around 56% linoleic acid.

According to a 2021 study led by Hwa Sun Ryu and their team, linoleic acid is believed to activate the Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway.

This pathway is directly linked to the hair growth cycle, and its activation extends the anagen phase, which promotes hair growth. Additionally, it enhances the proliferation and survival of follicular cells.

Based on the findings of this study, it is plausible to consider that oils containing linoleic acid may offer potential effectiveness as treatments for androgenetic alopecia.

Closing thoughts and verdict

Although no studies have been conducted on human alopecia, I believe that the topical application of wheat germ oil could be beneficial in addressing hair loss. This is mainly due to its anti-androgenic and antioxidant properties.

Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties may assist in reducing chronic inflammation. Additionally, its high linoleic acid content could potentially stimulate hair growth.

If you are interested in trying wheat germ oil, I can recommend using it as a carrier oil to maximize its effectiveness in combination with specific essential oils.

However, it’s worth noting that wheat germ oil can be relatively costly, and there are alternative oils supported by scientific studies with demonstrated results. I would suggest considering those options instead.