The Safety of Using DHT Blocker Food for Hair Loss Treatment?

Are you looking to use DHT blocker food to prevent hair loss? Blocking dihydrotestosterone can prevent hair loss, considering it is the main cause of androgenic alopecia. DHT is a naturally occurring molecule produced when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase converts testosterone. The body converts about 5% of testosterone to DHT, and most blockers come as hair loss pills featuring various ingredients formulated to prevent the conversion of testosterone.

Some medications, such as Propecia, are approved by the FDA as hair loss treatment but have many adverse effects. Because of this, it is advisable to stay away from hair loss pills designed to block DHT. Instead, people suffering hair loss can use natural foods known to prevent the conversion of testosterone. But do they work? Here’s a quick overview of the common DHT blocker foods for hair loss and their safety.

Top DHT Blocker Food Options

Several foods support hair growth and block DHT conversion. However, most haven’t been studied if they work for humans. More research is needed before extracts from these foods are recommended as DHT blockers. It is also vital to contact a doctor and fully understand the potential side effects of using DHT blocker foods. The top DHT blocker food options include:

Green Tea: Contains epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the primary chemical associated with protecting hair follicles from DHT damage. In one study, an alcohol extract of EGCG applied to the scalp revitalized hair growth by keeping cells that regulate hair growth from dying.

Coconut Oil: Contains lauric acid, a form of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that has been shown to block testosterone conversion to DHT. However, lauric acid has only shown effectiveness in test tubes and animal studies. More human studies are needed before coconut oil is recommended for androgenic alopecia.

Onions: Another DHT blocker food that prevents 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone in preclinical studies. It is rich in quercetin, the antioxidant that blocks DHT conversion, and has been shown to block DHT in rats. Other foods rich in quercetin include spinach, asparagus, kales, berries, and apples.

Turmeric: Contains curcuminoids such as curcumin, which can prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT. However, only preclinical studies exist, so there is no proof this DHT blocker food works on humans.

Pumpkin Seeds: This DHT blocker food contains a wide variety of essential nutrients, including zinc, iron, magnesium, antioxidants, and more. Studies have shown that pumpkin seeds supplements can promote hair growth and block DHT in men.

Is It Safe To Use DHT Blocker Food?

Although low DHT levels are great for preventing hair loss, there are risks associated with using DHT blockers. The foods mentioned above are generally safe, but extracts that block DHT come with different side effects. Having low DHT levels may also result in the following:

  • Incomplete/late development of sex organs such as the testes and penis
  • Gynecomastia caused by changes in body fat distribution
  • Higher risk of developing antagonistic prostate tumors

Summary

It is essential to avoid DHT blocker pills as they feature many adverse effects, including diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, nausea, vertigo, prostate cancer, and decreased libido. Blocking DHT may also result in liver damage, pancreatic and bleeding in the brain, although these are rare side-effects of hair loss pills.

DHT Blocker Side Effects

DHT blockers and inhibitors are popular options when looking to prevent hair loss and male pattern baldness. However, there are many DHT blocker side effects that you should know about before you start using them for hair loss treatment. Some DHT blockers are approved by the FDA but they also have a myriad of adverse symptoms. Here’s a quick overview of DHT blockers, examples, and side effects.

What are DHT blockers?

Before looking at DHT blocker side effects, it is important to know what they are and how they work. DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a molecule formed from the conversion of testosterone. It occurs naturally in men and women of all ages, more in men since males have more testosterone levels. About 5% of testosterone is converted to DHT, facilitated by the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase (5AR). DHT attaches to the 5AR receptors in hair follicles and other places and is known to shrink the follicles, causing baldness. A DHT blocker prevents existing DHT from binding to the 5AR receptors. Most hair loss treatments are DHT blockers, although you can also find inhibitors, which hinder the natural production of DHT in the body.

Are DHT Blockers Effective?

DHT blockers prevent the molecules from attaching to receptors in the hair follicles, thus preventing male pattern baldness. Women can also use DHT blockers, but the medications aren’t recommended for pregnant and nursing mothers. There are many popular DHT blockers in the market, including Propecia, Proscar, Biotin, and Pygeum bark. All of them are FDA-approved and have been shown to help reduce hair loss and promote hair growth. However, patients suffering from androgenic alopecia (hair loss) will continue to lose hair as soon as they stop using DHT blockers. Natural DHT blockers also exist, although most have limited studies to support their efficacy.

DHT Blocker Side Effects

Although pills and hair loss medication are effective, they carry an extensive profile of DHT blocker side effects. Having high or low DHT levels will result in various symptoms. Here are some of the common DHT blocker side effects:

  • Stomach upset and diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Premature or delayed ejaculation
  • Gynecomastia (excess fat around the breast area)
  • Rashes
  • Thickening and darkening for upper body hair, including facial hair
  • Prostate cancer
  • Vertigo
  • Water retention and congestive heart failure

DHT blockers have also recorded some rare instances of liver damage, pancreatitis, bleeding in the brain, and even death.

Summary

There are many DHT blockers and options available for those looking to prevent hair loss. Pills and medication are only one category. Those suffering from androgenic alopecia can use DHT blocker foods, herbs, essential oils, diets, exercise, massage, ayurvedic treatments, and more. Each option comes with unique limitations and drawbacks. For instance, DHT blocker ingredients, such as saw palmetto, and foods have hardly been studied clinically. Most studies are preclinical and done using animals or inside test tubes. The pills and medications have been researched and shown to be effective. Unfortunately, there adverse DHT blocker side effects make it is essential to consult your doctor before using them. There are many treatments for hair loss, including hairpieces and extensions.

How to Block DHT Naturally to Prevent Hair Loss

Are you looking for how to block DHT naturally? DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a molecule created when 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone. About 5% of the body’s testosterone is converted to DHT, and since men have more testosterone, hair loss and baldness are more prevalent in males than females. For many years, hair loss pills have focused on blocking DHT or hindering the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme from converting testosterone. However, hair loss medications have many side effects. Here’s a quick overview of how to block DHT naturally and some of the side effects to watch out for when looking to use DHT blockers.

Are DHT Blockers Safe?

There are various ways to prevent testosterone conversion to DHT. However, the most effective is using FDA-approved hair loss pills, which feature many ingredients, including saw palmetto, bacopa monnieri, gooseberry, licorice, aloe vera, and more. Flax, grape, poppy, and black sesame seeds are also popular options in ayurvedic treatments. The popular hair loss medication include Propecia, but there are many options. Unfortunately, DHT blockers have many adverse effects, including stomach upset, diarrhea, headache, nausea, enlarged prostate, vertigo, and decreased libido. In rare cases, hair loss pills have resulted in liver damage as well.

How to Block DHT Naturally

Using DHT blocker pills and medication doesn’t rejuvenate lost hair. You’ll only halt the process of hair loss and are required to continue taking the tablets for as long as you want to prevent balding. You’ll continue to lose hair when you stop taking the pills. However, those looking for less harmful alternatives have many options. Here’s how to block DHT naturally.

Consider DHT Blocking Foods

Many foods are linked with regulating DHT levels and blocking the conversion of testosterone. The most popular include green tea, coconut oil, onions, turmeric, pumpkin seeds, and young soybean. Most of these foods have been shown to block DHT in preclinical studies and animal tests, so it is not known whether they work for humans.

DHT Blocking Herbs

Many ayurvedic treatments for blocking DHT feature herbs such as Nasya kriya, Ginko Biloba, stinging nettle, bhiringraj, peppermint, chamomile, horsetail and burdock, and more. Some herbs are inhaled, while others are used in massage and hair cleansing. They are thought to nourish hair follicles and prevent DHT damage on hair and cells.

DHT Blocking Diet

Includes various foods like zinc-containing vegetables (spinach, kale, green peas, sweet corn, mushroom, and beat greens. Other foods to incorporate in your hair loss diet include watermelon, mango, tomato, carrot, and lycopene-containing foods. You can also use foods that promote hair growth. This includes bananas, soybeans, sesame seeds, black pepper,

Essential Oils

Adding essential oils to your hair food, hair shampoo, and masks can help regulate DHT levels. Some of the recommended essential oils include rosemary oil, pumpkin seed oil, tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and saw palmetto oil.

Exercise

Exercise is another option when looking for how to block DHT naturally. Moderate workouts done three to five days a week can hinder 5-alpha-reductase from converting testosterone to DHT. On the other hand, intense training carries the risk of increasing DHT levels, so it is vital to strike a good balance.

Summary

There are many options if you are looking for how to block DHT naturally. However, some DHT blockers feature many side effects, and natural food options have limited research. There’s no proof that using the foods mentioned above will prevent hair loss, so it is advisable to consult your doctor for a comprehensive treatment that combines natural foods and approaches.

Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss and Its Side Effects

Are you looking to use saw palmetto to treat hair loss? Also known as “androgenic alopecia”, hair loss is common among men and women, especially as you get older. The condition is caused when the hormone testosterone is converted to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is an androgen and serves various functions in shaping male characteristics. Since males have more testosterone, they are more likely to experience hair loss.

DHT forms when the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone. Over the years, doctors have formulated DHT blockers that prevent 5-alpha-reductase from converting testosterone. There are various other treatments for hair loss, including hairpieces, extensions, surgery, and medication (pills). We will focus on the side effects of hair loss pills, which almost often contain saw palmetto.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a dwarf palm tree native to the West Indies and grown by Native Americans for its therapeutic benefits. It is generally considered a healing plant and has been shown to help reverse hair loss. Studies on the efficacy of saw palmetto are limited but promising. The herb is also used to treat enlarged prostate, bladder infection, and decreased sex drive. It is available in many forms, including whole dried berries, liquid extracts, tablets, and powdered capsules. However, studies have been done on tablets only. Using tea made with saw palmetto berries isn’t considered effective since the active compounds aren’t water-soluble.

How Does This DHT blocker Prevent Hair Loss?

Saw palmetto is a DHT blocker. Like other medications, it prevents the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase from converting existing testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. DHT molecules are responsible for hair loss and enlargement of the prostate. In one study, nearly half of the participants experienced an increase in their hair count by 11.9% after four months of taking topical saw palmetto mixed with 10% trichogen veg complex. Another 2012 study also showed that saw palmetto inhibits testosterone conversion to DHT. The herb also has anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent other causes of hair loss. However, the NCCIH insists there isn’t sufficient research to support the use of saw palmetto for any health condition.

Side Effects of Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss Treatment

There are many treatments for androgenic alopecia, including popular medications like Propecia and finasteride (Proscar). Hairpieces and extensions are also popular in America and other regions. Finasteride and other hair loss pills contain saw palmetto as the main ingredient and have been shown to work for male pattern baldness. However, most remedies come with many adverse effects. Here are some of the common side effects of using saw palmetto for hair loss:

  • Diarrhea and stomach upsets
  • Headache and fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Prostate cancer
  • Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction
  • Vertigo

Other side effects are rare but have been reported in isolated cases. This includes:

  • Liver damage
  • Pancreatitis

Summary

Although saw palmetto is possibly safe when taken orally, there’s limited research to prove it works to reverse hair loss. Saw palmetto hair loss pills also contain 70% to 90% fat and considered unsafe for children and breastfeeding mothers. As such, it is vital to consult a doctor before using it for any health condition.