DHT, also known as dihydrotestosterone, is a hormone derived from the male sex hormone testosterone. This hormone can become one of the main reasons for hair loss in men as well as women. Excessive DHT makes the hair starts breaking and thinning. An enzyme called 5-Alpha Reductase present in the body converts about five per cent of testosterone into DHT.
Certain foods can help reduce DHT levels by blocking the action of this enzyme. In this article, we will discuss such foods which can block DHT.
Foods that may block DHT
Here is a list of everyday foods that you can incorporate into your daily diet that can help block DHT.
Green tea
Green tea has grown immensely in popularity, and for good reason. One of its lesser-known benefits is that green tea contains high amounts of the plant compound EGCG. This compound may help protect hair follicles.
You can drink green tea to strengthen your hair. Also, you can apply a green tea hair mask.
Onion
Onion is used for cooking in most Indian homes. Many people also like to add onions to their salads. Onion contains elements like quercetin, which is a type of antioxidant. Several studies have shown that quercetin blocks DHT production. Onions can thus help inhibit the production of DHT.
You can include onion in your diet or you can also use onion shampoo and oil on your hair. This can help in controlling hair fall.
Along with onions, you can also include other foods rich in quercetin like asparagus, spinach, kale, apples and berries in your diet.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a popular spice that is used for cooking in every Indian household. Turmeric contains curcumin, which works to block DHT. In fact, curcumin lowers DHT levels by inhibiting the action of the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme.
You can include turmeric in your diet to block DHT. For this, you can add turmeric to your food as a spice or you can drink turmeric milk. Turmeric can be very helpful in preventing hair loss by blocking DHT.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil is beneficial for your skin, hair and overall health. Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel of the coconut. Coconut oil contains a high percentage of fat from MCTs (medium chain triglycerides) in the form of lauric acid. It can block DHT.
To block DHT, coconut oil can be applied to the hair or you can use it to cook your food. This can stop hair fall and speed up hair growth.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and antioxidants. Hence, adding pumpkin seeds to your diet can be quite beneficial. They may also help prevent hair loss by blocking DHT.
Pumpkin seed oil has the ability to inhibit DHT production by inhibiting the 5-Alpha Reductase enzyme. This in turn can prevent hair loss. It also strengthens hair and promotes hair growth. For this, you can massage the scalp and hair with the oil extracted from pumpkin seeds.
Takeaway
DHT is derived from testosterone. When the level of DHT starts increasing in the body, it can led to hair loss. Certain everyday foods can help block DHT, such as pumpkin seeds, coconut oil, turmeric, onion oil and green tea. On the other hand, if you experience continuous hair loss, be sure to consult your doctor.