Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body. It is related to the development of some typically male traits and organs, including hair, muscle growth, deep voice, and the prostate. Typically, less than 10% of the testosterone secreted by the body is converted to DHT and there is no need to be alarmed when levels rise. However, an excessive amount promotes hair loss and the risk of prostate cancer. You can keep them in check by making some dietary and lifestyle changes, but also by taking medications and supplements that block DHT production.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Control Dihydrotestosterone Through Diet
Step 1. Include tomatoes when making sauces
They are rich in lycopene, a substance that blocks the production of DHT. It assimilates better when they are cooked. While it is useful to eat a sandwich stuffed with a slice of tomato, you should opt for a plate of pasta topped with a generous tomato-based sauce.
Carrots, mangoes, and watermelons are also excellent sources of lycopene
Step 2. Munch on nuts, such as almonds and cashews
Try taking other substances that naturally inhibit DHT, such as L-lysine and zinc. You can find them in almonds, peanuts, pecans, hazelnuts and cashews.
- Incorporate nuts into your daily diet to naturally reduce DHT levels.
- Zinc is found in green leafy vegetables, such as kale and spinach.
Step 3. Drink green tea
It is rich in antioxidants and also helps slow down or even stop the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Other drinks, including black tea and coffee, also have a similar effect.
For best results, opt for organic whole leaf tea. Avoid green tea "drinks", as they can contain less than 10% tea. Also, you should avoid sweetening it with sugar or artificial sweeteners
Step 4. Eliminate the sugar
Sugar favors the onset of inflammatory processes and increases the production of DHT. Excessive consumption will negate any benefits of other foods.
It will seem easy enough to avoid added sugars and sweets, including cookies and candy. However, beware of packaged and processed foods, as they can contain added sugars even if they don't taste particularly sweet
Step 5. Limit your caffeine intake
A cup of coffee in the morning can help reduce DHT production. However, if you overdo it, it can have the opposite effect. An excessive amount also risks promoting hormonal imbalances and dehydration, inhibiting hair growth.
Avoid caffeinated drinks that contain sugar and chemicals that can boost DHT production
Method 2 of 3: Taking Medicines and Supplements
Step 1. Take a dwarf palm (or saw palmetto) supplement
The dwarf palm naturally blocks DHT production by inhibiting the activity of type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. A 320 mg per day supplement can also improve hair growth.
Although the action of the dwarf palm is not as fast as the medications prescribed by the doctor, it costs less and may be more practical to take
Step 2. Try pumpkin seed oil
It is another remedy that blocks DHT production, although it is not as effective as the dwarf palm. Unlike the latter, in fact, the effects it produces have been studied mainly on guinea pigs, rather than on human subjects.
- Pumpkin seed oil is a recognized treatment for prostate disorders in Germany and the United States.
- If you want to take in more oil, you can also consume a handful of pumpkin seeds a day, although you won't be getting it in the same amounts that a pill supplement guarantees. When roasted, pumpkin seeds can lose some of their beneficial properties.
Step 3. Contact your doctor for information on finasteride
Finasteride is a drug used in the treatment of hair loss, particularly for male pattern baldness. You can take it via injections or in the form of pills.
- Finasteride acts on the enzymes present within the hair follicles, inhibiting the production of DHT.
- It can hinder the development of baldness and, in some cases, promote hair regrowth.
Step 4. Learn about topical minoxidil 2% (Rogaine) or oral finasteride
When DHT levels are high, one of the most likely consequences is hair loss. Treatments with minoxidil or finasteride can help reduce hair loss and, in some cases, even promote growth. However, consult your doctor before starting therapy to make sure it does not interact with any medications you are taking or cause unwanted side effects.
Some side effects of these treatments can include decreased sex drive, reduced ability to maintain an erection, and poor ejaculation
Method 3 of 3: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Train 3-5 days a week
Being overweight and a sedentary lifestyle increase the risk of prostate cancer. Start moving regularly, even if it's just walking for 20 minutes every other day.
Add weight lifting to strengthen your muscles. An interval workout is a great choice if you don't have a lot of free time to devote to sports and exercise
Step 2. Find time to rest and relax
Lack of balance between work and play can increase stress, causing the body to increase its production of DHT. So, set aside 15 or 20 minutes a day to do something fun.
- Choose a calming and relaxing activity, such as reading a book, coloring or finishing a puzzle.
- Also, you need to make sure you get enough sleep. Lack of sleep also risks increasing stress and, consequently, DHT levels.
Step 3. Get an anti-stress massage
Stress can cause the body to convert more testosterone to DHT. A massage not only eases the tension of everyday life, but can also stimulate and improve circulation, promoting hair growth.
Get a massage every two weeks for a couple of months and see if you notice any improvement
Step 4. Stop smoking
In addition to taking health risks, smokers have higher DHT levels than non-smokers. In this case, by detoxifying yourself from nicotine, you will also have the possibility to regulate the production of DHT.
- Since smoking increases the levels of DHT and other hormones, it can lead to an increased risk of prostate cancer (although some studies have shown the opposite). Smoking increases the likelihood of death from prostate cancer.
- Furthermore, smoking itself causes hair loss, regardless of the effect on dihydrotestosterone.
