Dihydrotestosterone, one of the strongest hormones in the body, is informally known as DHT and is an endogenous sex steroid and is part of the development of muscles, body hair, a deep voice in men and in general causes the body to mature during puberty. Although a natural substance produced by the body, DHT can be used as a medical treatment (Androstanolone and Standalone) for men with low testosterone levels who suffer from a small penis, breast development and other issues. The low and high levels of Dihydrotestosterone which is created by Testosterone can have significant affects on both male and females.
How do high levels of DHT hormone affect the male body?
As one of the most powerful hormones in the body, DHT can have huge effects on the body whether there is too much or not enough. Side effects vary between men and women and can cause unwanted body issues. For men, there are many side effects which in some cases run counterintuitive to what you would expect. These include but are not limited to:
| High Blood Pressure | Sleep Apnea |
| Acne | Increase in Red Blood Cell Count |
| Increase in Body and Facial Hair | Violence/Aggressive Behavior |
| Excessive Sweating | Hair Loss on Temples and Crown of Head |
Having the right balance of DHT is essential for growth, strength and health in the body, and any indications of low or high DHT should be diagnosed by your doctor for proper treatment.
When the DHT is too high in the male body because of the excess production from Enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase it must be blocked by medication to decrease and lower the production. The medication which is currently used by doctors is Finasteride, which prevents the Testosterone from being converted to DHT.
If this drug sounds familiar to those who have suffered from hair loss, then you might be more familiar with its commercial name, Propecia or Proscar. Originally produced to treat an enlarged Prostate, doctors were astounded to discover that Finasteride was also creating hair growth in patients. After more study and clinical trials, Finasteride became one of the most popular medications to treat hair loss in men.
Is there a natural solution to block DHT hair loss to regrow hair?
With Hair Loss being a major side effect of excess DHT, the medical community has been trying to come up with ways to block the increase. Of course, we have Finasteride, but many men who lose their hair are somewhat skeptical and cautious when it comes to any type of medication. Also, since it is a medication, there will be side effects which are rare and can include certain types of prostate cancer, anxiety, depression and sexual dysfunction. Men who have other diseases or illnesses will also want to look for alternatives to any medication.
As Natural Solutions become a proper remedy for certain health issues, both men and women are forgoing treatment with medications. And with Hair Loss being one of the most sought-after problems men face, there seems to be plenty of solutions out there. The one issue that patients must take into consideration is that many of these natural remedies are not proven in the lab or under controlled conditions. Unlike drugs/medications, there is no FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) or MHRA (The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) to monitor and control these substances. Many of the results are anecdotal and do not reflect proven research.
A counter-argument can be made that, although there are not in-depth scientific studies, many of these remedies have mean used for hundreds of years and have proven to be effective in specific treatments, such as Hair Loss. All patients will react differently to these natural medicines as they do with any medication prescribed by their doctor. Another benefit of the natural solution is that side effects are few and far between and if you do experience them, they will in most cases not be anything too severe or detrimental to your overall health.
Let’s look at some of the top natural solutions for DHT blockers, which can prevent Hair Loss or regrow hair:
FOODS
| Tomato | Almonds | Eggs: Boiled or Cooked |
| Pumpkin Seeds | Avocado | Green Tea |
| Blue Berries | Banana | Watermelon |
These are just a few of the top foods that can help in blocking increased DHT. Many of these have specific vitamins and nutrients which are a big factor in providing these results. Because many of the natural ingredients to these foods can be bought in a more concentrated form, patients will sometimes just take a regiment of vitamins and supplements, especially for those who suffer from a specific vitamin deficiency.
SUPPLEMENTS
| Argan Oil | Saw Plametto | Oleanoic Acid |
| Aloe Vera | Burdock Root | Biotin |
As a supplement many of these ingredients can be mixed together or used by themselves. They can be used topically as a cream or shampoo or ingested in a pill form. The good news is that you won’t have to go out and buy Burdock Root at the local health store or ingest Aloe Vera. These ingredients can be found in Hair Loss specific DHT blocker forms. The Internet is full of these products in all forms and for varying prices. As mentioned above, since in most cases they are not controlled substances, they can be ordered online and shipped anywhere.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
Although not exactly a natural supplement or food, a healthy lifestyle should be included in ways to improve Hair Growth. I’m not sure if exercise can be considered a DHT blocker but living a certain way can improve the body’s overall health and well- being, which in-turn can lead to healthier hair and scalp. It is always recommended to patients that excess drinking, smoking and unhealthy food can be an obstacle to any type of hair growth. Even for those who do undergo a Hair Transplant, post-surgery includes no smoking or drinking.
Is the Natural approach to Hair Loss from excessive DHT the best solution?
This is a question that cannot be answered with a Yes or No. There are too many factors which go into Hair Loss as well as all the factors which go into Hair Growth. What works great for someone, might be a total failure for somebody else. Especially with Natural solutions and the lack of raw data, there is no affirmative answer.
The only tried and true solution to hair loss is a Hair Transplant. Many of you don’t want to hear this and would rather try natural alternatives instead of surgery. I can’t argue this point and can only say to give it a try. Rogaine and Propecia are a pharmacological solution to the problem but come with side effects and are not 100% guaranteed. Its also not an option for those with certain medical conditions.
This leaves the Hair Transplant where the results have become exceptional and, in some cases, undetectable. The costs of hair restoration in certain countries such as Hungary have become affordable without sacrificing quality. Whatever you choose, speak with your doctor to see what’s best for you and your scalp.