Foods That Help Block DHT and Reduce Hair Fall

Hair loss can be a sneaky thing. A few more hairs on the pillow, a little bit more hair in the drain, and then one day you realise that you’ve lost your hairline. The problem might not be caused by the stress or a bad shampoo that you use. In most cases, it is all about the hormone  DHT.

The information regarding how DHT influences hair and how some foods affect it will be useful for you. You should know that there’s no miracle solution to everything, but it could help in solving your problem.

What Is DHT and How Does It Cause Hair Loss

DHT means dihydrotestosterone. This hormone is a product of testosterone transformation through an enzyme named 5-alpha reductase. However, DHT isn’t a dangerous substance for any other organs except hair follicles. When DHT attaches to a receptor in a follicle, the follicle starts to shrink over time. The process is known as miniaturisation. The follicle shrinks, making hair thinner and shorter until it stops growing hair at all.

In this case, blocking DHT is an effective approach to stopping hair loss. Some foods can prevent it.

How Food Can Influence DHT Level

Of course, food is not medicine. It won’t provide you with immediate results. However, there are plenty of vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds that can inhibit enzymes or decrease the level of DHT in your body. If eaten regularly, they can really help your hair.

Moreover, a diet rich in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can make your hair problems worse, not only because of nutrient deficiency but also because of hormonal imbalances that increase the rate of DHT.

What Foods Can Prevent DHT

There are several foods that can help you with your hair problems. Let’s take a look at some of them:

• Pumpkin seed oil: It is the best-studied food DHT blocker. According to a clinical trial published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, men taking pumpkin seed oil experienced a 40% increase in hair count during 24 weeks. The exact mechanism of action isn’t clear yet, but it is supposed to inhibit 5-alpha reductase.
• Green tea (EGCG): A compound called epigallocatechin gallate, which is found in green tea, has already proved its ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase in vitro. Two to three cups per day can bring you positive effects.
• Soy and edamame: These foods are rich in isoflavones, substances similar to estrogens, and can neutralise the effects of androgens like DHT. Of course, they can’t significantly alter your hormonal balance.
• Flaxseed: This food contains a lot of lignans and omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Besides, they can decrease inflammation of the scalp.
• Walnuts and fatty fish: These foods are also rich in omega-3s and can reduce inflammation.
• Turmeric: This spice contains curcumin, a compound that has proven its ability to inhibit 5-alpha reductase in vitro. Moreover, it decreases inflammation of the scalp.

For more details about the mechanisms of action of the foods mentioned above, you can read this article on Dht Blocker Food.

What Should You Avoid?

The list of foods to include in your daily ration is rather long, but it is even more important to know what to avoid.

• High glycemic foods: Eating such foods causes an increase in insulin levels, which triggers the production of androgens, including DHT.
• Dairy products: In some people, dairy products lead to an increase in IGF-1, a growth factor that stimulates the production of DHT.
• Alcohol: It increases stress in your liver, which leads to a decrease in hormone metabolism and removal.

However, don’t think that you should change everything in your life to keep your hair.

What About Other Approaches?

It is worth mentioning that the diet alone can’t stop hair fall completely, especially if there is a strong hormonal pattern behind it. There are other approaches, like Traya treatment, which focuses on identifying the root cause of hair fall and then finding ways to solve the problem.

Conclusion

Hair loss due to DHT is very common, but this problem can be solved. Everything that you eat every day can either harm or improve your hair condition. Introducing pumpkin seed oil, green tea, flaxseeds, and omega-3s into your diet won’t reverse the process immediately, but it can help a lot.