Dietary Factors Responsible for Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Production and Hair Loss

Introduction

Androgenic alopecia is the most common type of hair loss observed among both males and females. It is mainly due to a genetic predisposition of excess response towards androgen production. Androgens are steroid hormones (or male sex hormones) and there are several androgens such as androstenedione, dihydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA sulphate (DHEA-S) and dihyrotestosterone (DHT) which play a role in sexual and prostate development(4^✔).

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Production in the Body

Testosterone is produced by cholesterol in the cells within testes (in men) and ovaries (in women). DHT is one of the main androgens which is produced from testosterone in the body. Testosterone is converted to DHT by the action of the enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. Its action is more potent than testosterone and whatever functions of testosterone is carried out in the body, it is done through the converted form of DHT. At least 10% of testosterone is converted to DHT and this is regulated by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

When there is excess production of DHT from testosterone, it can lead to androgenic alopecia characterized by crown balding and receding hairline among males and hair thinning and widening partition among females. A study on obese women showed higher androgen production among women with upper body obesity(1^✔).

Connection between Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and Hair Loss

Large amounts of circulating levels of DHT which have been produced by enzymatic conversion of testosterone tends to attach to the androgen receptors of the hair follicles causing weakening of hair roots. Hair follicles are cell shaped structures which provide nutrition and growing base for each hair strand. DHT attaches to the base of these hair follicles causing them to shrink in their size. Shrinkage of hair follicles can lead to growth of thin and fragile hair strands which can shed and break easily.

Excess DHT also tends to shorten the hair cycle causing delay in the growth of new hair strands once the old hair strands shed off. The hair strands remain in the growth phase for a short period of time than their usual time frame and quickly move to the transition and resting phase causing hairs to attain shorter lengths. An in vivo study on hair follicles of mice showed that when the DHT concentration on scalp hair follicles were decreased, the hair follicles grew much better than at higher DHT concentrations(3^✔). This shows that an adequate level of DHT concentration was necessary for appropriate hair follicle growth.

How Diet Influences Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Production and Hair loss

Diet plays a crucial role in maintaining optimum internal health and physiological functions in the body. It also builds immunity and helps keep diseases at bay. The composition of diet plays a contributing role in DHT production in the body determining the degree of hair fall. Excess intake of foods rich in saturated fats in the diet can lead to endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in large amounts and then the subsequent production of testosterone and DHT. Foods rich in saturated fats are whole milk and milk products such as cheese, cream, paneer and meat products such as red meat, mutton, organ meats, beef, shellfish, prawns, sausages and barbecued meat products. All the above foods can aggravate hair fall issues by triggering increased DHT production. A study showed reduced levels of HDL cholesterol and IGF-1 increases the risk of hair loss among middle aged women(2^✔).

Also, intake of high glycemic index foods can spike insulin levels increasing sebum production and aggravate hair loss. Including more low glycemic index foods can help balance sebum production and hair health.

Foods Known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Blockers

Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin seeds are known for containing a nutrient called phytosterol which has shown to promote hair growth. A study showed that intake of 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil increased rate of hair growth by 40% in 24 weeks(5^✔).

Spinach

Spinach is known to contain a nutrient called quercetin which has also shown in studies to decrease the conversion of testosterone to DHT. It reduces the areas on the scalp and hair follicles where DHT can attach itself.

Berries

Berries are rich in flavonoids which improves blood circulation on the hair follicles and scalp area to increase greater penetration of nutrient rich blood supply for promoting hair growth.

Flaxseeds

These brown colored seeds contain lignans and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) which has also known to have enzyme inhibiting action for 5 alpha reductase.

References:

1. Androgen-Estrogen Metabolism in Women with Upper Body Versus Lower Body Obesity - (https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article-abstract/70/2/473/2280835)
2. Both low circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are associated with hair loss in middle-aged women - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjd.14529)
3. Dihydrotestosterone Regulates Hair Growth Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in C57BL/6 Mice and In Vitro Organ Culture - (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.01528/full)
4. Androgens - (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens#:~:text=Androgens%20are%20a%20group%20of,is%20the%20most%20common%20androgen.)
5. Effect of Pumpkin Seed Oil on Hair Growth in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017725/pdf/ECAM2014-549721.pdf)

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