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In many cases hair loss is genetic, which limits the potential success of treatment options. Medications, medical disorders, pregnancy, prostrate problems and hormonal imbalance may also be responsible for hair loss.
A significant cause of hair loss is DHT which is a metabolite of testosterone; as such many of the hair restoration and hair loss products will include DHT blockers to try to prevent the impact of DHT.
How DHT Works
An enzyme known as 5 alpha reductase is responsible for converting testosterone, the male sexual hormone responsible for hair growth, sex drive and muscle development into Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The DHT binds with androgen receptors. This process increases hair loss and minimizes the regrowth of hair, making the hair loss more permanent. Over time this process will lead to pattern baldness.
The Discovery of DHT Blockers and DHT Inhibitors
In the development of medications and treatment for prostrate problems in men, the side effects of the medications or treatments were often the growth of hair. This has lead to the development of DHT blocker or DHT inhibitor based products for the reduction of hair loss or the promotion of hair regrowth.
It is popular to use DHT Blockers and DHT inhibitors in shampoos, hair tonics, conditioners and other scalp and hair products to facilitate hair regrowth. Provillus and Procerin are both considered strong DHT blockers in the world of hair loss.
Natural Treatment for DHT
Natural medicine advocates have a multitude of natural cures for DHT and to promote hair regrowth.
Zinc
Zinc is considered one of nature’s best DHT blockers. Zinc can be added to the diet in supplement form but it is freely available in foods. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, shellfish, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran and all bran cereals, pine nuts and pecans. Foods that provide some zinc but not as much as the first list include eggs, liver, fish, cashews and parmesan cheese.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is a dwarf palm plant native to the Southern Atlantic Seaboard, most prominent in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The berries of the saw palmetto are thought to be the source of the plants active ingredients. It is believed that saw palmetto works to stop 5 alpha reductase from converting testosterone to DHT. Even though saw palmetto is a “natural” supplement it has been shown to have side effects in some people including vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and bad breath. For men saw palmetto can cause erectile dysfunction, tenderness in breast tissue and a reduction of sex drive. Due to the nature of the side effects with saw palmetto including increased bleeding and blood thinning, it is essential to consult your physician before beginning any herbal supplement, but especially one which may interfere with your traditional medications.
Pygeum Extract
The bark of the African plum tree has been used with BPH (benign prostrate hypertrophy) with a side effect being hair growth. It is thought to be successful in inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and blocking the binding of DHT to the androgen receptors. The end result is that it thought to be an effective natural DHT inhibitor. There are reported side effects, including stomach distress including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and blurred vision.
Lifestyle Changes and DHT
Stress is considered to be a strong trigger for DHT related hair loss. Daily activity, relaxation or mediation to reduce stress are important elements to manage DHT naturally.
Eating a diet rich in dark leafy vegetables and fruits, along with a good balance of zinc rich foods will assist in the natural blocking of DHT. Ample intake of B Vitamins is important, it is also important not to over do the consumption of Vitamin A.
A significant cause of hair loss is DHT which is a metabolite of testosterone; as such many of the hair restoration and hair loss products will include DHT blockers to try to prevent the impact of DHT.
How DHT Works
An enzyme known as 5 alpha reductase is responsible for converting testosterone, the male sexual hormone responsible for hair growth, sex drive and muscle development into Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. The DHT binds with androgen receptors. This process increases hair loss and minimizes the regrowth of hair, making the hair loss more permanent. Over time this process will lead to pattern baldness.
The Discovery of DHT Blockers and DHT Inhibitors
In the development of medications and treatment for prostrate problems in men, the side effects of the medications or treatments were often the growth of hair. This has lead to the development of DHT blocker or DHT inhibitor based products for the reduction of hair loss or the promotion of hair regrowth.
It is popular to use DHT Blockers and DHT inhibitors in shampoos, hair tonics, conditioners and other scalp and hair products to facilitate hair regrowth. Provillus and Procerin are both considered strong DHT blockers in the world of hair loss.
Natural Treatment for DHT
Natural medicine advocates have a multitude of natural cures for DHT and to promote hair regrowth.
Zinc
Zinc is considered one of nature’s best DHT blockers. Zinc can be added to the diet in supplement form but it is freely available in foods. Foods rich in zinc include oysters, shellfish, brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, wheat bran and all bran cereals, pine nuts and pecans. Foods that provide some zinc but not as much as the first list include eggs, liver, fish, cashews and parmesan cheese.
Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is a dwarf palm plant native to the Southern Atlantic Seaboard, most prominent in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The berries of the saw palmetto are thought to be the source of the plants active ingredients. It is believed that saw palmetto works to stop 5 alpha reductase from converting testosterone to DHT. Even though saw palmetto is a “natural” supplement it has been shown to have side effects in some people including vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea and bad breath. For men saw palmetto can cause erectile dysfunction, tenderness in breast tissue and a reduction of sex drive. Due to the nature of the side effects with saw palmetto including increased bleeding and blood thinning, it is essential to consult your physician before beginning any herbal supplement, but especially one which may interfere with your traditional medications.
Pygeum Extract
The bark of the African plum tree has been used with BPH (benign prostrate hypertrophy) with a side effect being hair growth. It is thought to be successful in inhibiting 5-alpha reductase and blocking the binding of DHT to the androgen receptors. The end result is that it thought to be an effective natural DHT inhibitor. There are reported side effects, including stomach distress including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and blurred vision.
Lifestyle Changes and DHT
Stress is considered to be a strong trigger for DHT related hair loss. Daily activity, relaxation or mediation to reduce stress are important elements to manage DHT naturally.
Eating a diet rich in dark leafy vegetables and fruits, along with a good balance of zinc rich foods will assist in the natural blocking of DHT. Ample intake of B Vitamins is important, it is also important not to over do the consumption of Vitamin A.