Ways To Reduce Hair Loss

I want to talk about 5 alpha reductases.  I know… it’s a mouthful. 

Our bodies are very complex.  There are conversions and processes occurring throughout the body constantly.  One of those conversions is testosterone to DHT.   5 alpha reductase is the enzyme responsible for this conversion.  If too much testosterone is converted to DHT it can lead to hair loss in both men and women (also enlarged prostate in men, extra facial hair, and acne).

The main reason I am discussing 5 alpha reductase is related to calorie restriction and weight loss.  Calorie restriction can INCREASE 5 alpha reductase and promote hair loss.  But most of us still want to reduce calories and lose weight.  So I am providing interventions that can DECREASE 5 alpha reductase and reduce the chance of hair loss.

Foods that inhibit 5 alpha reductases include:

·         Green tea

·         Flax seed

·         Soy

·         Fatty fish

Some herbs that inhibit 5 alpha reductases include:

·         Saw Palmetto

·         Stinging Nettle Root

·         Chaste Tree Berry

·         Black Cohosh

·         Pygeum

Nutrients that inhibit 5 alpha reductases include:

·         Quercetin

·         Omega 3

·         Krill

·         Beta-sitosterols

·         L-Lysine

·         Rice Bran

A recommended supplement that includes several of these ingredients (can be found on my Fullscript site):

·         Hair Effects from DaVinci Labs

(Some information provided by The Institute of Functional Medicine)