Seeing your fallen hair strands on the floor is a usual routine for hair growth. Strands grow, thrive, and shed after some time. Yet, an excessive hair fall may serve as a warning that something’s wrong with your body. It can be a ramification of an internal health problem, such as hormonal imbalance.
Your body produces various hormones, including those that regulate sexual and reproductive functions. Sex hormones, as what they are called, are present in both men and women. However, androgens are more abundant in men, and estrogens are more common in women.
Is it possible for a woman’s androgen levels to increase? Yes, it can take place, which can be quite risky for hair growth. Testosterone is the most evident androgen in the body, regulating muscular strength, bone mass, and tissue repair. However, a surge of this specific androgen can lead to the formation of its more potent form, known as dihydrotestosterone. This super-testosterone is one of the main reasons why both men and women experience alopecia problems.
After years of studying about DHT, scientists have finally found a way to beat this enemy. According to varied investigations, using DHT blockers can prevent this active androgen from causing hair loss problems.
How can DHT blockers prevent turning hair growth into shambles? Get to know more about DHT blockers and what they can do for your locks.
What is a DHT Blocker?
DHT is also an essential androgen in your body. However, its increasing levels put hair growth at risk. These androgens can bind and shrink your follicles. This miniaturization can result in hair growth problems such as having sparser, more brittle, and weaker hair shaft.
Any nutrient that can hinder DHT from shrinking your hair follicles is considered a DHT blocker. Most nutrients inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase from catalyzing DHT formation. DHT blockers also prevent the androgens from enveloping and constricting your hair follicles.
How do DHT blockers explicitly affect hair growth? Discover the benefits of having DHT blockers as your allies against hair loss culprits.
The Significance of DHT Blockers: How They Affect Hair Growth
1. They prevent anagen follicles from entering the catagen and telogen phases.
Your hair follows a growth cycle with three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Follicles thrive in the growth stage for at least five years before shifting into the next phase. However, high DHT levels can shorten their lifespan, causing hair shaft deterioration.
2. They protect your hair against androgenetic alopecia.
Men and women are prone to experiencing androgenetic alopecia (AGA), a hair loss condition that occurs due to excessive DHT levels in the body. Its symptoms include diffuse thinning, receding hairline, and partial to total baldness. With DHT blockers, you can drastically reduce the chance of developing this alopecia problem.
3. They can make your hair grow thicker, longer, and healthier.
DHT blockers create a safer environment for your hair follicles to thrive, helping them to nurture healthier and thicker hair strands. DHT blockers can also prolong more follicles in the anagen phase, allowing you to grow longer locks.
Anti-Androgens: 7 Nutrients That Can Block DHT
It’s time to look for DHT-blocking components that’ll protect your tresses. Find out some of the essential nutrients that serve as effective DHT blockers.
1. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
Catechins are phenolic compounds that serve as natural antioxidants. They are commonly found in berries, cherries, peaches, and even tea. The potent catechin known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) has shown promising results against DHT-induced hair loss. This powerful antioxidant protects the hair strands by preventing DHT from sticking on the follicles.
2. Lauric and Myristic Acids
Saturated fatty acids are generally used as hair care ingredients. For instance, lauric acid is used because of its antimicrobial properties that kill pathogens, while myristic acid serves as a cleansing agent. Both of these acids are also known to be effective inhibitors of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. According to studies on curing androgenetic alopecia (AGA), these two fatty acids have significant effects against DHT formation. Both lauric and myristic acids can directly affect testosterone production in the body, limiting testosterone for DHT conversion.
3. Curcumin
Some spices, such as turmeric, make your food appear yellow because of a bright yellow-colored chemical called curcumin. It does not only work as a food coloring, but it has also been long used as an anti-hair loss ingredient.
Curcumin is a plant compound that has been associated with treating androgenetic alopecia. This active compound can intercept with 5aR’s power to convert testosterone into DHT. It’s also a great ally against your dandruff problems.
4. Quercetin
Flavonoids are not only polyphenols or plant chemicals for reducing oxidative stress levels, but these are also helpful in blocking DHT-induced hair loss. Quercetin is a flavonol that can inhibit the 5aR enzyme from catalyzing DHT formation. It also keeps oxidative stress at bay, therefore, preventing free radical invasion on your hair follicles.
5. Caffeine
Caffeine, which is present in many beverages, is a psychoactive drug that keeps you awake, alert, and enthusiastic. However, it does have an opposite effect when it comes to androgenetic alopecia. This powerful stimulant actually lowers the chance of hair loss occurrence since caffeine can deter the androgens from approaching your follicles. Besides being an effective DHT blocker, caffeine also has other essential benefits for hair growth and regrowth.
6. Lycopene
Lycopene, a type of carotenoid obtained in red, orange, and yellow-colored fruits and vegetables, is also considered an effective DHT inhibitor. A 2015 study showed significant results of lycopene being an effective interceptor against your body’s active androgen activities. This carotene can also halt androgen receptors in follicles from activating, therefore lessening DHT invasion.
7. Zinc
This element may not directly inhibit the DHT-causing enzyme, but it helps control your body’s androgen levels. In fact, zinc is a necessary nutrient for regulating hormonal levels. It prevents testosterone from fluctuating and converting into its potent form. However, too much zinc can lead to testosterone overproduction, while zinc deficiency can trigger alopecia. Thus, it is also vital to keep your zinc consumption in check to keep DHT at bay.
7 Natural DHT Blockers You Need To Include In Your Diet
Check out the most abundant food and herbal sources of DHT blockers so that you can add them to your grocery cart while shopping.
1. Spinach
This leafy vegetable is your go-to source of zinc, which can help you curb hormonal imbalance. Zinc is also needed to maintain your strands’ robust structure and pigmented color.
2. Kale
Kale is another dark, leafy green that’s loaded with DHT-blocking phytosterols. It’s also another source for your daily dose of zinc, helping you keep your locks intact.
3. Green Tea
Besides relaxing your mood and filling your cup with antioxidants, green tea can also treat your hair loss problem. This beverage is a valuable source of the DHT blocker epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which protects your follicles against free radical and DHT damage. Drinking green tea can also prevent stress-induced alopecia by reducing your stress levels.
4. Coffee
A cup of Joe is your primary source of the DHT-blocking caffeine, which can curb DHT conversion. Coffee is also enriched with antioxidants, which can curb other hair loss perpetrators. Your coffee intake also energizes your hair follicles, thereby stimulating hair growth and elongating your hair shaft.
5. Turmeric
If you’re a spice lover with androgenetic alopecia, using turmeric as a flavoring ingredient is hitting two birds with one stone. Turmeric is your primary source of curcumin, known to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase from transforming testosterone into DHT. This food ingredient can also be used to get rid of your dandruff, thanks to its antiseptic properties.
6. Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto might be unfamiliar to you, but it is an effective remedy against alopecia. Its berries contain the phenolic compounds epicatechin and methyl gallate that can protect hair cells against damage. Saw palmetto’s extract could control your testosterone levels and deter 5aR’s activity in the body.
7. Tomatoes
These plump red fruits are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that can protect your follicles and keep your strands soft and shiny. Tomatoes are also rich sources of lycopene, a carotene known to inhibit androgen activities in the body.
Protect Your Hair At All Costs With DHT Blockers.
Despite being risky for your locks, androgens are still needed by your body for other physiological functions. It is also inevitable to experience hormonal imbalance, which can trigger testosterone fluctuations. Do not worry, for you can still prevent DHT from causing hair loss problems. Always include a healthy supply of foods with DHT-blocking nutrients in your everyday diet, and do not skip using anti-hair loss products loaded with DHT-blocking ingredients to suppress your alopecia problem.
Stop DHT from Weakening Your Strands.
Learn more about female hair loss and find ways to fight against DHT, the hair growth perpetrator. Beat alopecia by choosing the best shampoo for hair loss enriched with DHT blockers. Don’t forget to reward your hair with the best hair growth products for its successful hair restoration.