A prescription medication, once primarily known for treating hair loss and an enlarged prostate, is now being hailed for its potential cardiovascular benefits. Finasteride, a drug available in the U.S. since 1992, may not only promote hair growth but could also lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, according to recent research.
Surprising Discovery Sparks Curiosity
Dr. Jaume Amengual, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois, became intrigued by a surprising observation in national health data. In a national survey tracking the health of American men, Dr. Amengual noticed that men taking finasteride appeared to have cholesterol levels significantly lower than those not using the medication.
“When we looked at the men taking finasteride in the survey, their cholesterol levels averaged 30 points lower than those not on the drug. I thought we’d see the opposite pattern, so it was very interesting,” said Dr. Amengual.
A Closer Look: Survey Data Suggests Connection
The initial clue emerged from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a comprehensive health survey conducted from 2009 to 2016. The data revealed a notable 30-point difference in cholesterol levels between men using finasteride for hair loss and those who weren’t on the medication. While intriguing, this was only an observational finding, and the study had its limitations, including a small sample size of men over 50.
“This was not a controlled clinical study,” Dr. Amengual explained. “It was more of an observation that led us to say, ‘Okay, now we’ve seen this in people. Let’s see what happens in mice.'”
From Observation to Laboratory Testing
To explore the connection further, Dr. Amengual and his team turned to animal models. Doctoral student Donald Molina Chaves led experiments with laboratory mice predisposed to atherosclerosis—a condition characterized by the narrowing of arteries due to plaque buildup. The mice were fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet and were administered various doses of finasteride.
The results were striking. Mice treated with high doses of finasteride showed significant reductions in both plasma cholesterol levels and artery plaque. The mice also exhibited lower levels of lipids and inflammatory markers in the liver, suggesting that finasteride might not only lower cholesterol but could also reduce inflammation and plaque buildup in arteries.
“These findings point to a potential for finasteride to reduce heart disease risk by impacting both cholesterol metabolism and inflammation,” Molina Chaves said.
High Doses Show Promise, But Human Studies Needed
While the results in mice were promising, the doses used were far higher than those typically prescribed to humans. “It’s an incredibly high level of the drug. But we use mice as a model, and they are extremely resistant to things that would kill any of us,” explained Dr. Amengual. While the findings in mice offer a potential pathway for further research, human clinical studies are necessary to confirm the drug’s effects on heart health in people.
The Hormonal Link: Finasteride and Heart Health
So, how does a medication for hair loss affect cholesterol levels? The answer lies in the drug’s impact on hormones. Finasteride works by blocking a protein that activates testosterone, specifically reducing levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is known to contribute to hair loss, prostate enlargement, and, as recent research suggests, potentially heart disease.
Amengual’s curiosity about the long-term effects of finasteride on hormone levels led him to investigate its potential impact on cardiovascular health. Testosterone and its derivatives are believed to influence the development of atherosclerosis. By altering these hormone levels, finasteride may indirectly improve cholesterol metabolism and reduce inflammation, providing benefits for heart health.
Potential Benefits Beyond Hair Loss Treatment
The implications of this research extend beyond men dealing with hair loss or prostate issues. Transgender individuals undergoing hormone therapy often experience changes in cholesterol and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to altered hormone levels. Finasteride is sometimes prescribed during gender transitions to manage hair loss triggered by hormone treatments.
Over the past decade, doctors have increasingly prescribed finasteride for individuals transitioning between genders. In both male-to-female and female-to-male transitions, hormonal changes can trigger hair loss, and finasteride may help mitigate this effect. Interestingly, these individuals also face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, making the drug’s potential to prevent heart disease particularly noteworthy.
“The interesting thing is that transgender people are also at a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. So this drug could have a potential beneficial effect to prevent cardiovascular disease not only in cisgender men but also in transgender individuals,” Amengual said.
Looking Ahead: New Possibilities for an Old Drug
With its surprising connection to heart health, finasteride is now being reexamined as a potential therapeutic tool for managing cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. While further studies are needed to confirm these benefits in humans, the findings offer an exciting glimpse into how an established medication could have broader applications than initially thought. For now, it remains a promising option not only for hair regrowth and prostate health but potentially for heart health as well.
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