How to reduce DHT levels

Video: How To Reverse Hair Loss | Treatment, DHT Blocking Shampoo, Medication

Content

Steps
Method 1 of 3: Dieting
Method 2 of 3: Using Medications and Supplements
Method 3 of 3: Lifestyle Changes
Tips

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that is synthesized in the human body. It is responsible for the development of certain masculine traits, including body hair, muscle growth, deep voice, and prostate. As a rule, less than 10% of all testosterone in the body is synthesized in DHT and most people do not need to worry about the level of this hormone. However, excess DHT has been linked to baldness and prostate cancer. DHT levels can be controlled through diet and lifestyle changes. Medicines and dietary supplements can also be used to slow down the synthesis of DHT.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Dieting

1 Add tomatoes to sauces. Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which is a natural DHT blocker. Lycopene is absorbed better from cooked tomatoes than from raw tomatoes. While a slice of tomato on a sandwich will only have a small effect, pasta drizzled with tomato paste will be healthier.
- Carrots, mangoes, and watermelon are also good sources of lycopene.
2 Snack on nuts such as almonds or cashews. Other substances that naturally inhibit DHT production (including lysine and zinc) can be found in almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and cashews.
- Include nuts in your daily diet to naturally lower DHT levels.
- Zinc is also found in green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach.
3 Drink green tea. Green tea is not only rich in antioxidants, but it can also slow down and even stop the synthesis of testosterone into DHT. Other hot drinks, including black tea and coffee, have a similar effect.
- Drink organic large leaf tea for best results. Do not consume various "tea" drinks that contain less than 10% tea. You should also avoid adding sugar or other artificial sweeteners to your tea.
4 Eliminate sugar from your diet. Sugar causes inflammation and increases DHT production. Too much sugar in your diet will negate all the benefits you get from other foods.
- Ditching added sugars and sweets like cookies and candies may seem easy, but don't forget about the various processed foods and processed foods that may contain sugar even though they don't taste sweet at all.
5 Drink your coffee in moderation. A cup of coffee in the morning will help reduce DHT production. However, excessive consumption of caffeine can have the opposite effect. Excessive amounts of caffeine can also lead to hormonal imbalances and dehydration, which can slow hair growth.
- Stay away from caffeinated sodas, which also contain sugar and other chemicals that can increase DHT production.

Method 2 of 3: Using Medications and Supplements

1 Take a Saw Palmetto supplement. Saw palmetto blocks DHT production by slowing down the work of type 2 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Take 320 mg daily to improve hair growth as well.
- While Saw Palmetto supplement may not be as quick as prescription medications, it is cheaper and easier to take.
2 Try pumpkin seed oil. Pumpkin seed oil is another natural DHT blocker, although it is not as effective as Saw Palmetto. Unlike Saw Palmetto, the effect of pumpkin seed oil has been studied primarily in rats and not in humans.
- Pumpkin seed oil is licensed for prostate disease in Germany and the USA.
- Eat a pumpkin seed meal daily to get more oil, although it will be less than the supplements provide. Roasting the pumpkin seeds will reduce the benefits from them.
3 Talk to your doctor about finasteride. Finasteride, also sometimes sold under the trade name Propecia, is an approved treatment for hair loss, particularly male pattern baldness. This medication can be taken as an injection or as a pill.
- Finasteride interferes with an enzyme found in hair follicles to slow down the production of DHT.
- Finasteride can stop hair loss and, in some cases, even induce new hair growth.
4 Ask your doctor about topical minoxidil (Regaine) or oral finasteride. One of the possible consequences of high DHT levels is hair loss at the top of the scalp. Treatment with minoxidil or finasteride can slow hair loss and, in some cases, even induce new growth. Check with your doctor before taking any medicine to make sure it won't interfere with your medications and cause unwanted side effects.
- Some of the possible side effects of taking these drugs include decreased libido, decreased potency, and decreased semen.

Method 3 of 3: Lifestyle Changes

1 Exercise 3-5 days a week. Being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of prostate cancer. Start exercising regularly, even if it's just a 20 minute walk every few days.
- Add strength exercises to strengthen your muscles. Interval training is also a good choice if you don't have time to train and exercise.
2 Don't forget about rest and relaxation days. An imbalance between work and rest can lead to increased stress levels, which in turn leads to increased DHT production. Set aside 15–20 minutes each day to do something fun.
- Do something soothing and relaxing, such as reading a book, painting a coloring book, or putting together a puzzle.
- Also remember to sleep well. Lack of sleep can also increase stress levels, which leads to increased DHT levels.
3 Sign up for a massage to reduce your stress levels. Stress can cause your body to synthesize more testosterone into DHT. Massage will not only lower your stress levels, but it will also improve blood circulation, which can induce hair growth.
- Get a massage every few weeks for a couple of months and see if you notice any improvement in your stress level.
4 Stop smoking. In addition to other health problems caused by smoking, smokers also have higher DHT levels than nonsmokers. If you have elevated DHT levels and smoke, quitting this bad habit can normalize your DHT production.
- Since cigarette smoking increases levels of DHT and other hormones, it can also increase the risk of prostate cancer (although some studies have shown the opposite). Smoking does increase the risk of dying from prostate cancer.
- Smoking by itself causes hair loss, regardless of its effect on DHT levels.