DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) and Hair Loss

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone formed in the hair follicles, adrenal glands, testes and prostate gland, when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase acts on the testosterone in those glands.

DHT is the main contributing factor in andogenetic alopecia, commonly referred to as Male Pattern Baldness (MPB), although it can affect women as well. It is estimated that MPB is responsible for 95% of problem hair loss, affecting over 50% of men, and a significant proportion of women

Although traditionally considered a "male hormone", DHT is also produced by females in smaller quantities: In both sexes, some testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands, which protect the body in stressful situations by also producing adrenaline so that the body may respond to situations it deems to be threatening.

The stress of daily life in Western civilization has caused a state of alarm in people that has made the body unable to distinguish between everyday stressors and threatening situations. Therefore the adrenal glands in most people in Western civilizations are overactive, constantly producing adrenaline and naturally producing testosterone along with it. Additionally, the over-consumption of red meat and high fat foods in Western society can cause an overactive adrenal gland, perpetuating this situation.

Most approaches to prevent or remedy hair loss are based on the principle of reducing or blocking DHT production. These may vary from attempts to reduce DHT production through diet, to the use of herbal or pharmaceutical DHT blockers.