One of the most sought-after methods of blocking DHT is to do it naturally via DHT blocking foods. It's reasonable to think that blocking it naturally is your first priority.
Do these foods work? Are there any science behind them?
Most importantly, are there more effective and quicker ways to defeat your male pattern balding?
DHT is short for dihydrotestosterone. It is a sex hormone found in large amounts in men and it is believed to play a significant role in the development of male pattern baldness, also known as androgenic alopecia, or androgenetic alopecia.
Because of this link, many treatments for male pattern baldness focus on reducing DHT production or blocking it from affecting the scalp and therefore inhibiting its effects on balding and hair loss.
Summary
DHT blocking foods are those that help inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss. Some examples include tomatoes, spinach, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and flaxseeds, which are rich in nutrients like lycopene, zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to reducing DHT levels in the body.
Best 3 tested ways to help reduce hair loss
While the foods can help reduce hair loss, they remain less effective than rigorously researched solutions. With these solutions, you can ensure effectiveness.
1. Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine
We understand that finding a reliable solution for hair loss can be challenging, especially when there are certain side effects associated with blocking DHT.
That's why at Scandinavian Biolabs, we've taken a different, natural approach with our Hair Growth Routine – designed to help rebalance your hair growth cycle naturally and effectively.
Why should you try our Hair Growth Routine?
Holistic Solution: Our products go beyond merely targeting DHT, addressing the root cause of hair loss by restoring balance to your hair growth cycle, resulting in healthier, thicker hair.
Backed by Research: To prove our claims, we've conducted thorough research and clinical trials to demonstrate the effectiveness of our Hair Growth Routine. Users consistently see noticeable improvements in hair density and thickness within 150 days.
One Solution for All: Our Hair Growth Routine is designed for to work for almost all hair types, making it a versatile and inclusive solution for hair loss concerns.
Your Satisfaction, Guaranteed: We're committed to your satisfaction. That's why we offer a 150-day money-back guarantee. If you don't see results, we'll happily refund your purchase.
Give Scandinavian Biolabs' Hair Growth Routine a try and experience the difference a naturally-derived, scientifically tested solution can make.
Trust us – your journey to fuller, healthier hair is just a step away.
2. Finasteride
Finasteride is a pharmaceutically developed medication proven to be highly effective at blocking DHT and reducing, even reversing male pattern balding. Finasteride molecules bind to the receptors on the hair follicle that DHT binds to triggering the tightening of the follicles. By binding to those receptors, Finasteride prevents DHT from doing so and causing further hair loss.
3. Minoxidil
Minoxidil is another hair loss medication. Unlike Finasteride, it doesn't block DHT, but it helps the scalp recover from DHT-induced hair loss by encouraging regeneration and new growth. When used in combination with Finasteride, Minoxidil will have incredible effects on your hair loss recovery journey.
Top 16 DHT blocking foods according to science
Here's our top picks of DHT blocker food that acts as natural DHT blockers:
1. Zinc-rich foods
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale are rich in zinc and act as DHT blocking foods. You can also get zinc from foods like meat, shellfish, hemp seeds, squash, pumpkin, sesame seeds, nuts, cheese, milk, eggs, potatoes, dark chocolate, white mushrooms, whole grains like quinoa, rice, wheat, and oats, and legumes like peas, peanuts, soybeans, chickpeas, and lentils.
Incorporating each of these as a regular feature of your diet will give your zinc levels the boost they need to effectively be natural DHT blockers.
2. Lycopene-rich foods
Lycopene is essentialto help reduce the effects of DHT on the scalp. Lycopene is found in abundance in guavas, beetroots, carrots, watermelon, grapefruit, papaya, red bell peppers, persimmon, asparagus, red cabbage, mangos, and tomatoes.
Most purple, reddish, or orange fresh produce has lycopene. This is why it's important to 'eat the rainbow. Consuming this food regularly can help block DHT and slow or even prevent male pattern balding.
3. Lysine-rich foods
Lysine helps block DHT naturally. Something you should consider to assist in restoring your hair to its former glory. Lysine can be found in flax seeds, spirulina, fenugreek, cheese, red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, soybeans, green tea, and legumes like soybeans, peas, peanuts, and lentils.
Smoothies are a fantastic and effective way to get lysine, lycopene, and zinc into your diet in abundance. Adding greens, spirulina, flax seeds, and colorful fruit will ensure you get all of these nutrients in your diet to help curb DHT-induced hair loss, among other great health benefits as a bonus!
4. Caffeine
A 2014 study found that caffeine caused hair to grow longer, and it also lengthened the growth phase of the hair growth cycle and promoted stronger hair by encouraging the production of keratin, the fibrous protein that makes up the hair. So consuming coffee and tea may fight the effects of DHT.
Using shampoos or topical treatments containing caffeine may also be beneficial. Consider homemade coffee scrubs for your scalp, and opt for coffee or tea daily to give your hair the growth boost it needs to beat hair loss.
Caffeine is also a chemical found abundantly in many DHT blocking shampoo to help with your hair health.
5. Vitamin B6 and B12
Vitamin B12, as well as vitamin B6, can fight hair loss by improving circulation to the scalp. Circulation is a vital aspect of a healthy scalp, and that's why we offer specially designed scalp massagers to boost circulation and provide nutrients to the follicles. You can get your circulation-boosting B Vitamins from foods like fortified cereal, sardines and other fish, beef, milk and dairy, and eggs.
B vitamins are certainly worth supplementing for older people, vegans, and vegetarians, for their immune-boosting properties, but when it comes to the benefits for a healthy head of hair, it's worth supplementing already, so consider stocking up on B vitamin supplements.
6. Pumpkin Seed
Supplementing 400mg of pumpkin seed oil has been found to block DHT and preserve your scalp, even increasing hair density by an average of 40% in a 2014 study. If you don't want to take a supplement, consider adding pumpkin seeds to your meals for some extra crunch and a DHT-blocking boost.
7. Pygeum Bark
Pygmeum Bark is a popular and widely used homeopathic treatment for hair loss. Most commonly known and used as an oral supplement, Pygmeum bark is derived from the African Cherry tree.
Pygmeum Bark is primarily a treatment for prostate conditions that are caused by DHT. Because of this it also has benefits for hair health. As a DHT-blocking food, Pygmeum Bark is also an effective treatment for hormone-induced hair loss and can help your scalp recover and stop losing hair.
8. Biotin
Biotin is also known as Vitamin B-7. Also known as Vitamin H, Biotin has been shown to improve hair and nail growth. Treating hair loss effectively depends on two things: preventing hair loss, and encouraging new growth. Supplementing Biotin could be key to recovery by doing both, according to this 2015 study. This dual approach makes biotin a key food for hair loss treatment, slowing loss, and hastening growth for hair recovery.
Biotin can be found naturally in:
- liver.
- nuts & nut butters.
- soybeans and other legumes.
- egg yolks.
- sweet potatoes.
- mushroom.
- broccoli.
- bananas.
- yeast.
- avocadoes
Similarly, Biotin is usually found in a lot of DHT blocker shampoo on the market.
9. Almonds, cashews, and peanuts
Almonds, cashews, and peanuts are all rich in B vitamins and zinc which are both DHT blocking substances as discussed above. A handful of mixed nuts also makes a great healthy snack so they are a must-have pantry item if you are trying to block DHT naturally.
10. Carrots
Carrots are not only good for healthy eyes. They are also pretty effective in reducing 5 alpha-reductase and blocking DHT. 5 alpha-reductase is the enzyme that turns testosterone into DHT. Ultimately, it's responsible for the production of DHT, and reducing your 5 alpha-reductase reduces your DHT levels, which makes for a great head of hair. Carrots are also rich in lycopene, a natural DHT blocker, so they are a great vegetable to incorporate into your diet if you're trying to slow or reduce male pattern baldness.
11. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another food item high in lycopene. With a good amount of DHT-blocking lycopene, tomatoes tackle the issue at the cause and help result in healthy hair growth and retention. They're also a key ingredient in a bunch of delicious recipes so your hair loss recovery journey doesn't have to be boring and plain!
12. Eggs
Eggs are more infamous for their high protein content, but they're also a great source of vitamins and minerals, particularly lysine, which is another DHT-blocker derived from food. Keep your protein intake up and simultaneously reduce your hair loss with a regular egg recipe in your diet.
13. Bananas
Bananas are chock full of biotin and they also help prevent DHT from forming from testosterone by reducing your 5 alpha-reductase levels. Bananas are also super-rich in potassium, which increases blood circulation to the scalp and helps bring more nutrients and oxygen to the follicles.
Bananas also help maintain byg you develop a healthy gut and prevent your body from overproducing DHT. Bananas are your go-to DHT blocking food! Keep some in your pantry!
14. Mangoes
Mangoes are another great source of Lycopene, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, all of which help fight hair loss by blocking DHT and soothing inflammation respectively. Lycopene blocks DHT while Vit C and Vit E soothe the scalp and reduce inflammation for healthy and happy hair.
15. Oysters
Oysters are more well known as an aphrodisiac, but they also help your scalp recover from male pattern baldness. Oysters are super-rich in Zinc, especially when consumed raw as they retain their nutrients with less cooking. They also have a lot of Potassium and Magnesium, both of which improve circulation to help deliver nutrients to the hair follicle of the scalp.
Oysters also provide a suite of other vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy hair including Phosphorus, Copper, Calcium, Selenium, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. Like bananas, oysters are a hair health superfood you should consider eating more frequently.
16. Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Jatamansi
Turmeric, Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Jatamansi are all-powerful superfoods that are natural anti-inflammatories, immune-boosters, hormone regulators. As such, they provide much-needed balance to the male hormone and can help slow male pattern balding by regulating DHT production. They are fantastic and simple additions to smoothies so you can get your fill easily and deliciously with minimal nutrient loss from cooking.
Will DHT blocking foods help your hair loss?
DHT blocking foods can help combat hair loss by reducing the levels of DHT, a hormone linked to hair thinning and male pattern baldness.
Consuming DHT blocking foods can be a natural and effective way to address hair loss. These foods contain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that help inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT, a hormone that can cause hair follicles to shrink and contribute to hair loss. Including DHT blocking foods in your diet, along with maintaining a healthy lifestyle, can potentially slow down hair loss and promote hair growth.
How does DHT blocking foods work?
DHT blocking foods work by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT, thus preventing the accumulation of DHT and its negative effects on hair follicles.
DHT blocking foods are rich in certain nutrients, such as lycopene, zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity. By doing so, these foods can reduce the production of DHT in the body and minimize its harmful effects on hair follicles, potentially slowing down hair loss and promoting hair growth.
What is DHT?
DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is an androgen hormone derived from testosterone that plays a significant role in male biological characteristics, including hair growth, and is associated with hair loss in both men and women.
DHT is a potent form of testosterone that is produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. While DHT is essential for male development and characteristics, excessive levels of DHT can negatively impact hair growth by binding to hair follicles, leading to hair thinning and hair loss, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.
Why should you block DHT?
Blocking DHT is essential for preventing hair loss and promoting hair growth, as excessive levels of DHT can cause hair follicles to shrink and weaken, leading to hair thinning and baldness.
In individuals susceptible to hair loss, DHT can bind to hair follicles, causing them to shrink and produce thinner, weaker hair strands. Over time, this can lead to hair loss and baldness. By blocking DHT production, you can protect your hair follicles from the harmful effects of this hormone, potentially slowing down hair loss and promoting healthier hair growth.
How does DHT affect the hair growth cycle?
DHT affects the hair growth cycle by shortening the anagen (growth) phase, causing hair follicles to shrink, and ultimately leading to hair thinning and hair loss.
The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). DHT impacts the anagen phase by binding to hair follicles, causing them to shrink and produce weaker hair strands. Over time, this results in a shorter anagen phase, thinner hair, and eventual hair loss. By blocking DHT, you can help restore the normal hair growth cycle and promote healthier hair growth.
Final thoughts
DHT is responsible for hair loss for 66% of men, but it can be treated with DHT-blocking foods and a healthy and diverse diet, DHT-blocking medication, scalp massage, and our specially formulated anti-hair loss hair care routine. Through understanding DHT and its connection to hair loss, specialists have found ways to biohack hair loss through DHT-blocking foods, so you can recover from hair loss one mouthful at a time.
Read more:
- Topical DHT Blockers: Everything You Need to Know
- What Is DHT And How to Reduce It?
- 8 Effective Ways How To Remove DHT From Scalp
Resources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24836650/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-4-431-56547-5_71
https://www.thehairphysio.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Nutrition-in-Hair-loss-management.pdf
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article may indicate trends, but by no means sufficient research to confirm that these foods will block DHT. We highly recommend visiting a licensed healthcare provider to get more personalized and accurate information.
