Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

I'm currently working on a biology project that includes body hair growth patterns and activeness of hair follicles. While doing some reading, I noticed a specific contrast between Westerners and Southeast Asians.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez... This article points out the majoring differences in body hair growth patterns in Caucasians and Chinese. As stated, Chinese men have a significantly lower level of 5-alpha reductase enzymes which leads to lower levels of dihydrotestosterone, which stimulates terminal hair growth. While searching more on Wikipedia, I found out that the ingestions of soy isoflavones and green tea may inhibit the hormone. Soy is a legume commonly found in the Southeast Asian archipelago about a century ago, but was surprisingly absent from the Western community. Thus, is it logical to hypothesise that the difference in body hair densities between the two can be blamed on diet?

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

x. genetic mostly but medications are also a factor, x

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

Genetics

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

mainly genetics but i think diet may contribute to it

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

genetics...although I'm sure diet affects hair texture

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

genetics or a hormonal imbalance.

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

Well, i'm as hairy as my father so i'd say that genetics have a part to play.

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

diet -- more specfically, pasta... the reason why Italian women are so hairy.

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

wow - interesting approach, ty...as an aside it's noticeable how constant gym has led to a lil extra body hair for me(compared to my dad,a designer...and about the same as my grandfather who was in the army before becoming a steel-worker: but we're all pretty hairy!).

fink you can find some evidence of 'westernised' chinese to demonstarate the 'nature AND nurture' hypothesis?

gl

=)

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

I'd say Genetics first, then diet and other contributing factors. Hormone levels change as you mature causing hair growth, and then change again as you get older causing in some a reduction or change in the area body hair grows and it's texture.

Body Hair: Genetics or Diet?

Mostly it will be genetic, but if you eat a lot of high GI carbs it can boost a womans testosterone level, making her hirsute. I guess the phyto-estrogens in the soy might make you a bit less hairy by masking the testosterone, but I'd have to see some hard evidence.