What Is Dht And How Does It Cause Hair Loss
High levels of DHT shrinks the hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle. As a result, the hair becomes thinner and more prone to damage, says Dr Pankaj Chaturvedi, consultant dermatologist at MedLinks, New Delhi.
As testosterone in the blood increases, more of it is also converted to dihydrotestosterone, resulting in higher levels of DHT as well, says Dr Namita Nadar, head nutritionist, Fortis Hospital, Noida. As a response to stress, when you are caught in a fight or flight dilemma, the adrenal glands release hormones, including cortisol, which becomes critical in maintaining the appropriate DHT levels, adds Nadar. As a standard direction in blocking the production of DHT naturally, look for food sources that are rich in zinc such as mushrooms, green peas, beet greens, spinach, kale, sweet corn, etc. and pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, almonds and walnuts.
The body, on its own, converts 5-10 per cent of testosterone into DHT using an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. By blocking this enzyme by having certain foods, you are at a better chance of preventing hair loss, adds celebrity nutritionist Nmami Agarwal. Keep in mind that blocking DHT may not promote new growth, but it can help slow down or even stop the current hair loss.
What Foods Can Block Dht
As a matter of fact, yes. Topical DHT blockers have their place. They are the immediate action items for preventing male pattern baldness. However, they are shadowed by the long term gains, of taking supplements that can regulate and balance your natural state of hormones. Having hormonal balance will be more beneficial to your long term health. These internal DHT blockers are found in some of our everyday foods and beverages. Ill describe some of the most potent of them.
Flaxseed
Lignans and omega fatty acids, are what mostly make up the composition of flaxseed. It is suggested to be used as a beneficial supplement for adding fiber to your diet. But there is a much larger benefit to flaxseed. It is a major player in restoring hair loss. Not only does it inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, but it also helps grow thick, wide, and heavy hair!
Presented usually in a ground-up form, flaxseed is easy to incorporate into your diet. Due to its somewhat subdued flavor, you can add it to almost anything. It works incredibly well when paired with peanut butter, and most smoothies. If anything, it has a subtle hint of a nutty flavor. Dont let this mention of flavor detract you from being able to sprinkle some over a salad. It can be mixed into the dressing, or seasoned into anything youre planning on eating.
Green Tea
It also has a decent amount of caffeine, so dont use too much if you are sensitive. Hint: Its a great way to start the morning!
Pygeum
Sesame Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Foods To Add To Your Diet Now To Prevent Hair Loss
Turmeric has a high concentration of active compounds called curcuminoids, and there is some evidence to prove the merit of curcumin in keeping the DHT in check. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that curcumin lowers DHT levels by blocking the action of the alpha-5 reductase enzyme, shares Dr Chaturvedi.
Coconut oil contains a high percentage of fat from medium-chain triglycerides , primarily in the form of lauric acid, which has been shown to block DHT production. You can cook with it too, advises Agarwal.
Edamame beans are young soybeans typically enjoyed as a snack or appetiser. In addition to being packed with protein and fibre, edamame beans contain isoflavones, which are beneficial plant compounds that may lower DHT levels by blocking the action of 5-alpha reductase, says Dr Chaturvedi.
The alpha-linolenic acid found in flaxseeds helps block 5-alpha reductase. Also, the omega-3 fatty acids found in flax seeds can assist the body with handling stress, another major reason for hair loss.
Onions have quercetin, which is a key ingredient to look for while trying to control your DHT. Quercetin has been shown to inhibit the production of DHT from testosterone by blocking the action of the enzyme alpha-5 reductase and decreasing oxidative stress, says Dr Chaturvedi. Spinach, kale, apples, and berries are other vegetables that have quercetin, so plan your weekly grocery list in a way that includes them.
Also Check: Can Breastfeeding Cause Hair Loss
Dht And Women Hair Loss
However, there is a phenomenon called relative androgen excess. Women can experience relative androgen excess even when their blood levels of DHT are normal. 2 This often occurs during menopause because their bodies stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Even though their bodies still have normal levels of androgens like DHT, DHT will make up a higher percentage of all sex hormones because the body is producing less estrogen and progesterone.
This will make the effects of DHT more apparent to the body. The decrease in estrogen and progesterone during menopause causes the effects of DHT to be more noticeable and may be the reason why many women complain of thinning hair during menopause.
Menopause And Medical Concerns
For women, hormonal hair loss usually goes hand-in-hand along with dramatic hormonal shifts, such as menopause, and manifests as a loss of hair density, which can be embarrassing and all the more stressful. During menopause, its not necessarily correlated with an increase of DHT in the body. What actually happens is that the body is producing fewer female hormones like estrogen and progestin. And, as a result, androgen receptors become more sensitive.
Among postmenopausal women, as many as two-thirds suffer from hair thinning or hair loss, according to Harvard Medical School. Women can also experience an increase in DHT if their body produces more testosterone because of a specific endocrine health condition like polycystic ovary syndrome or if they develop an androgen-secreting tumor.
In these examples, hair loss in women can actually be a sign of more serious underlying medical conditions. As with other health conditions, if your symptoms are concerning you, head to your doctor to discuss treatment options.
Related: How To Minimize Hair Loss From Stress
Don’t Miss: Can Saw Palmetto Cause Hair Loss
What Does It Do
Although this hormone is often associated with thinning hair, acne and other unpleasant symptoms, we know that there are also DHT benefits that pertain to both sexes. Below are some of the important roles that DHT has, as described by the Endocrine Society:
- Helps with onset of puberty in both boys and girls, leading to development of the genitals, deeper voice and changes in body composition less is known about how it affects puberty in females compared to males
- Leads to growth of body hair, including pubic hair
- Causes the prostate to grow in males
- Increases male sexual behavior
Does DHT build muscle? To some extent it helps adults maintain muscle mass as they age, just like testosterone does.
It also benefits reproductive health, fertility and sex drive.
How To Stop Hair Loss After Steroid Cycle And Grow Hair Back
Hair loss after a steroid injection is common among athletes and bodybuilders.
In fact, people who are on steroids for medical purposes also see such effects.
But the question is can one stop this hair loss? Is Hair Loss from Steroids Reversible? Or will hair grow back after hair loss from steroids?
Absolutely YES!
Many natural remedies have been in use to help you get back your tresses.
Top 2 remedies to grow hair back after a steroids cycle:
Read Also: Can Psoriasis On The Scalp Cause Hair Loss
How Long Does It Take Dht Sensitivity To Cause Total Baldness
The good news is that this doesnt happen overnight. To fully explain this, we should take a step back to discuss the four stages of hair growth that are always happening on your head:
- Anagen Phase: The growth phase that usually lasts from two to six years.
- Catagen Phase: The transition phase that only lasts for a few weeks.
- Telogen Phase: The resting phase that lasts for about three months.
- Exogen Phase: The shedding phase that usually results in 100-150 hairs falling out each day.
The hair is lost during the exogen phase when the follicle produces a new hair that pushes out the old one.
As androgenic alopecia sets in, follicles gets smaller and smaller making it harder for hair to grow , the anagen phase gets shorter , and the telogen phase gets longer .
However, baldness is a slowly progressive process that usually takes place over several years.
That means you have time to stop DHT from shrinking those hair follicles and that the earlier you take action, the more hair youll keep.
Thats where DHT blockers come in.
Topical Treatments To Reduce Dht
Local inflammation and oxidative stress on the scalp enhance DHT activity.
For this reason, using antioxidant treatments on the scalp may help counteract factors that influence DHT increases.
One possible way to lower inflammation and neutralize free radicals on the scalp is through oil masking.
Plant oils are high in vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant that is easily absorbed into the skin. Some oils, like olive oil and hemp seed oil, are also rich in antioxidant polyphenols that can reduce oxidative stress.
The linoleic acid content of oils is also important. When applied to the skin topically, linoleic acid has anti-inflammatory effects . This is because linoleic acid is a major component of the skin and its protective barrier. Topical application may help provide the building blocks needed to maintain this barrier, leading to a healthier, less-inflamed scalp.
A combination of high linoleic acid and high polyphenol content is likely the most beneficial. For this reason, hemp seed oil is a great option.
When sourcing oil for oil masking, its important that you purchase organic, cold-pressed oils. This will ensure you avoid any toxic chemicals and that the integrity of the oil is preserved in processing.
Additional commercial topical treatments formulated with antioxidants could also be beneficial. Rosemary extract , for example, has been shown to promote hair growth and possesses anti-androgenic properties .
Recommended Reading: What Foods Help With Hair Loss
Female Hair Loss : Why It Happens And How To Treat It
Noticed your hair falling out? Whether youve spotted more hairs than normal on your pillow, in the shower drain catch or on your clothing, its easy to panic when you notice your hair thinning at a faster pace than normal.
Female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss women experience.
Hair loss in women can occur for a variety of hair types and reasons. Sometimes, its triggered by changes in your hormone levels and a genetic sensitivity to certain hormones. In other cases, factors such as stress, thyroid issues , weight loss and even environmental factors can all have an effect on your hairline.
As a woman, dealing with hair loss can be difficult. Luckily, its almost always treatable using a range of safe, effective medications. Weve covered these treatment options, as well as the key reasons for female hair loss, below.
Black Tea & Dht Blocking
The primary chemical constituents of tea are polyphenols, and the predominant polyphenols are catechins.
The catechins have antioxidant properties, due to which these catechins exhibit DHT inhibiting properties. Both black tea and green tea act as effective DHT blockers and help with hair loss. Green tea and black tea are extremely good for the hair. Alongside your diet, use other DHT blockers such as a DHT blocking shampoo to reduce DHT completely.
You May Like: Why Is My Hair Thinning In The Back
Verdict: It Wont Stop Male Pattern Baldness But Can Stop Hair Loss If Youre Deficient In That Vitamin
As weve said elsewhere, hair loss vitamins dont work unless youre actually deficient in that specific vitamin, so taking vitamin B12 or B6 alone wont treat male pattern baldness. But just because vitamins arent an effective hair loss treatment doesnt mean they cant make your hair healthierjust make sure you actually need them before you start taking them.
While there are plenty of reasons you might want to take a natural approach to treating hair loss, such as avoiding side effects, the truth is that youre unlikely to get the same results from these remedies that you could expect from medication. Even for the treatments that look promising, there just arent enough studies yet on most of them to prove that theyre effective in general, let alone effective enough to be meaningful.
So if youre seeing signs of hair loss and arent sure which treatment to try, complete an online consultation with a Keeps doctor today. Your doctor will the be the best person to tell you whats right for your hair.
The information provided in this article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely upon the content provided in this article for specific medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
Ayurvedic Treatments With Dht Controlling Herbs
A. Nasya
Nasya kriya, i.e. inhaling medicated oils into your respiratory tract, is one of the prominent Ayurvedic methods to treat DHT Hair loss. It is the fastest way for oils to enter into your nerve receptors.
“Through your olfactory system, the oils reach your blood circulatory system, from where the oil molecules can bind to your scalp receptors and change its chemical composition. Thus, it can prevent your scalp receptors from getting blocked with DHT molecules,” says Dr. Zeel.
Performing Nasya regularly with anu taila or sesame oil, which are efficient DHT blockers, promotes healthy hair growth while keeping your Pitta in balance.
Vedix Tip: Preferably, Nasya karma has to be performed on an empty stomach after bowel evacuation in the morning. And, you should not eat anything or take a bath at least for 30 minutes after doing Nasya.
B. Oil Massage
Use Ayurvedic oils that contain DHT controlling herbal ingredients to massage your scalp and hair regularly. Warm oils applied to your scalp carry the DHT blocking herbs into the deeper tissues of your scalp. On the other side, massaging enhances the blood circulation to your scalp follicles. Thus, your hair follicles are nourished with essential nutrients while DHT binding is prevented.
C. Regular Hair Cleansing
Use hair cleansers containing DHT controlling herbs to wash your hair regularly. Ayurvedic hair cleansers unclog your follicles without stripping off the natural oils of your scalp.
D. Hair Packs
Also Check: How To Stop Hair Loss Home Remedies
What Are The Dht Blocking Foods
DHT Blockers exist to combat this problem. As the name suggests, it blocks or slows down DHT in men, thus fighting potential hair loss. Many different foods act as DHT Blockers.
The DHT blocker foods can be put into three groups:
Group 1: Foods high in Zinc- example: spinach, kale
Group 2: Lycopene rich foods- example: tomato, mango
Group 3: Lysine rich foods- example: green tea, flax seeds
Apart from these three food groups, it is also essential to ensure that you are getting adequate amounts of vitamins as vitamins play a crucial role in ensuring hair health.
These vitamins can be obtained through the list of foods mentioned below or in the form of DHT blocking vitamin supplements that can be taken orally with food. DHT blocking vitamins is another way to reduce DHT levels in the scalp naturally.
Redensyl Hair Growth TonicLooking for an effective solution to regrow your lost hair? Use Our Redensyl Hair Tonic that nourishes your hair and promotes healthy hair growth.Get One Now