DHT Is Converted from Cholesterol?

Hello Doctor,

Alright so, I don’t believe vitamins, and a change of diet or saw palmetto is gonna stop hair loss, lets make that clear, if it was no one would be bald face the facts people.

But with that said, DHT gets converted from cholesterol (assuming my sources are right) so wouldnt lowering your cholesterol assist in the slowing process a little? And Stress is also a contributing factor so wouldn’t vitamin D (or something to that affect, creating a calm and stable mood) also assist in slowing the process. And if coffee increases your cortisol levels, wouldnt not drinking it also help?. And if Biotin or “what ever” vitamin helps to improve the quality of your hair wouldnt that also assist in some what of a stronger hair shaft?

And again im not saying its the cure, because obviously it just isnt!! but in theory wouldnt it help to slow down the speed of your hair loss by even just a little?

Everyones body is different and even a big fat gross out of shape dirty slob can have a big beautiful thick head of hair due to good genetics. but wouldnt these things ive suggested provide some what of a healthy environment for a poor little miniaturizing hair, assuming the cost is with in a balding mans budget.

A person balding should obviously try propecia or minoxidil and if it works great!! but these suggestions i’ve made must have some affect in the assistance of the slowing process? A healthier body must fight better against hair loss then a not so healthy one?

I know my suggestions are not ‘FDA’ approved but lets get real, if its not “the cure” itself no companies gonna drop the large amount of funds for testing if it only helps a little bit.

Just trying to keep a open mind thats all. thanks.

Ps, love the site.

A little information can be dangerous. In this case, you are somewhat correct that cholesterol is related to DHT as a precursor step in the process; however, lowering cholesterol does not and will not lower DHT. Our bodies are not that simplistic and your body generally controls the DHT levels.

The general public sees cholesterol as a bad thing, but cholesterol is a very essential part of our physiology. It would take a year long course in biology and biochemistry to explain this and it may lead to someone simplifying and misunderstanding the human body and its physiology.

Alas, let me try (with a warning that it is not as simple as it sounds). Cholesterol is the building block to hormones such as testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHT, etc, etc. Our bodies are smart. Just because you have a high cholesterol level does not mean you will have excess of these hormones.

To illustrate my point here is a “simplified” pathway that shows how cholesterol is the building block of some hormones — cholesterol flow diagram.