Top Foods That Raise DHT to Build Healthy Hair
Diets always come with recommendations for hair health, specifically conditions of hair growth and hair loss. Speaking of hair health, dihydrotestosterone, or simply DHT, would be one of the first terms that widely surface.
DHT is a sex hormone that emanates from testosterone, playing a huge role in developing male characteristics that include body hair. On the other hand, DHT is also known to cause male baldness because it makes the hair follicle shrink. Hair becomes thin, leading to eventual hair loss.
While producing DHT is a natural process in the body, it pays to know how foods that increase DHT affect hair growth and, by extension, hair health at large. In this article, the top foods that affect DHT are discussed along with the influences they have on hair growth and hair loss.
About DHT and Hair Health
Dihydrotestosterone is a byproduct of testosterone. The conversion of testosterone into DHT occurs through the action of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase.
While DHT will cause body hair and other secondary sex characteristics, it is also the primary villain in hair loss conditions such as male baldness.
The correlation between high levels of DHT and shrinking hair follicles is often linked with the most common form of hair loss for both men and women.
Despite this, DHT is not all bad. It is crucial for the body as it acts to influence the onset of male features at puberty and maintain a healthy prostate. Understanding the equation of DHT in the body is important so that hair growth and the loss of hair can be controlled.
Foods to Increase DHT Levels
Other foods also increase the DHT in the body, therefore indirectly affecting hair growth. These foods could be especially recommended for those interested in increasing body hair or ensuring that the scalp is healthy. Here are some of the most common DHT-boosting foods:
1. Red Meat
Red meat is loaded with zinc. Zinc is believed to contribute directly to the production of DHT. It supports the action of 5-alpha reductase, which catalyzes the conversion of testosterone into DHT.
However, overconsumption of red meat can cause imbalances which eventually results in loss of hair, among other health problems.
2. Eggs
Eggs, particularly the yolk, are rich in biotin and cholesterol, which are precursors to testosterone production.
From what has been explained above, since the conversion of testosterone in DHT depends on the availability of testosterone, eggs can be said to increase DHT indirectly.
However, this has to be consumed within balanced amounts to avoid excessive DHT , which causes baldness.
3. Dairy Products
Casein and whey proteins in dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can stimulate the production of testosterone and, consequently, DHT in the body. Although these foods promote muscle growth and repair, they can also raise the level of DHT, which may impact your hair follicles.
4. Shellfish
Other sources of zinc, which is one of the minerals that promote DHT, include shellfish such as oysters. Rich amounts of zinc contained in shellfish support the enzyme activity of 5-alpha reductase, leading to elevated levels of DHT. While this can be helpful to the body for other purposes, excessive consumption contributes to hair loss.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and a few other nuts and seeds contain healthy fats and zinc. Healthy fats and zinc are helpful for hormone production, including testosterone and DHT. Although they can be part of a healthy diet, potentially increasing DHT may influence hair loss patterns and growth.
DHT as well as Hair Loss
The relationship between DHT as well as hair loss is complex. Generally, levels of DHT in the body determine the health status of the hair. Many instances of hair loss are attributed to high DHT : common among them is male baldness.
This is a condition brought about by the interaction of DHT with the receptors of the hair follicles, such that they shrink; eventually, weaker, thinner hair is produced.
Hair follicles are strongly associated with DHT. While DHT promotes body hair growth, it is harmful to scalp hair. This paradoxical effect points to the complexity of understanding how increased DHT production leads to hair loss and hair growth.
Will Foods to Increase DHT Help Hair?
While high DHT are often linked to hair loss, they are not always detrimental.
For individuals seeking to grow body hair or improve overall hair strength, foods that boost DHT production can play a role in achieving these goals.
However, for those prone to male baldness, consuming foods to increase DHT may exacerbate hair loss.
The key is balance. Moderation in the consumption of DHT-boosting foods can help maintain healthy levels of the hormone in your body without causing unwanted side effects such as hair thinning or loss.
DHT Blockers as well as Hair Loss Prevention
For people who worry about hair loss, including DHT blockers in their regime can prevent testosterone from being converted to DHT.
Natural DHT blockers such as pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, and green tea decrease DHT levels in the body. These agents act by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that produces DHT.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Being a natural DHT blocker, pumpkin oil from seed is known to reduce levels of DHT within the human body. It contains phytosterols that inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase and prevents testosterone from turning into DHT.
The use of pumpkin oil from seed can make one grow hair and stop hair loss through constant use.
Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins, compounds that can help reduce DHT levels. By inhibiting 5-alpha reductase, green tea can prevent the development of male pattern baldness and support healthy hairs.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is another natural remedy to reduce DHT levels. It works by blocking the production of DHT, helping to prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.
Balancing DHT Levels for Optimal Hair Health
Balanced DHT levels in body mean healthy hair, so even though some foods raise DHT, they are good for other functions of the body, but too much can result in hair loss and other hormonal imbalances.
In contrast, a diet rich in DHT blockers helps to balance out negative effects resulting from high levels of DHT in the body.
For one to achieve the maximum benefit, a comprehensive approach is, therefore, bound to be adopted.
A balanced diet must be complemented by proper hair care practices and, if diagnosed with any hormonal imbalance or underlying condition that contributes in hair loss, one should consult a healthcare professional.
Conclusion
DHT is a strong sex hormone that contributes to the development of male characteristics, hair health, among other functions.
Although excessive DHT levels are liable for hair loss, especially male pattern baldness, moderate levels of DHT are important for some body functions.
The effects of foods that cause DHT on hair growth and hair fall need to be understood for preserving its healthy balance.
Adding foods rich in nutrients such as red meat, eggs, dairy products, and nuts can boost the production of DHT.
However, it is just as crucial to add natural blockers, such as pumpkin seed oil and green tea, to your diet to balance out and control levels of DHT and minimize hair loss.
Ultimately, healthy hair will only come if the approach strikes a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of DHT within the body.
Healthy eating habits and a comprehensive hair care routine can promote hair growth while minimizing damage caused by excess DHT.
FAQ
1. What is DHT, and how does it affect hair health?
Dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, is a hormone produced within the body from testosterone by the action of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Although DHT helps in growing body hair and contributing to males' development, high levels of DHT within the body contribute in hair loss, especially male pattern baldness.
It can shrink hair follicles on the scalp, which can contribute to the thinning of hairs and eventual balding.
2. Which foods increase DHT levels in the body?
The foods that enhance DHT level consist of red meat, eggs, dairy products, shellfish, and nuts.
These are rich in zinc, cholesterol, and healthy fats, which help in testosterone production and its transformation into DHT. Although these foods may raise DHT level, high consumption may cause hair fall.
3. How is male pattern baldness caused by the production of DHT?
DHT is a product of testosterone metabolism: it's a key factor in male pattern baldness. High DHT levels in the body are potent hormones that bind to the androgen receptors in hair follicles, causing them to shrink.
This impairs the growing ability of hair, resulting in thinning, followed by permanent hair loss. Managing DHT levels is deemed necessary for preventing the occurrence of male pattern baldness.
4. Can foods to increase DHT improve hair growth?
While some foods that stimulate DHT may grow hair in parts of the body, and the hair on your body, elevated DHT in the scalp is associated with hair loss, not growth, for people who are hair loss-prone.
For those who have genetic tendencies for hair loss, the proper balance of such foods and adding blockers as part of one's regimen is vital.
5. What is the function of 5-alpha reductase in the production of DHT?
alpha reductase is the enzyme in the body, which catalyzes testosterone conversion into DHT.
Consequently, this enzymatic reaction is critical to the production of DHT, which has functions in the body, such as developing male characteristics.
However, its excessive activity leads to increased DHT levels, which causes hair loss.
6. Is there a natural way to decrease DHT levels?
Yes, some blockers are natural such as pumpkin seed oil, green tea, and saw palmetto, which are found to reduce DHT levels.
These inhibit the activity of 5-alpha reductase, which does not allow the conversion of testosterone in DHT; this protects hair follicles and prevents hair loss.
7. How does DHT impact hair follicles on your scalp?
DHT leads to binding to receptors in scalp hair follicles, which gradually shrink and weaken.
As a result, the growth phase of hair gets shorter, resulting in thinner and shorter strands. Eventually, the follicles become dormant for a long time following extensive exposure to a high level of DHT, and this causes permanent hair loss.
* Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).
