High levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in women, which is the most potent form of the male hormone testosterone, are often associated with conditions such as PCOS or CAH. This male androgen disrupts our bodies’ natural functions and can affect livelihood through all the unpleasant symptoms it often occurs with. Left uncontrolled, it can cause acne and hair loss, which can eventually lead to female pattern baldness.
However, there are certain foods we can incorporate into our diet (or blend up in this delicious smoothie) to regulate the metamorphosis from testosterone into DHT. Sounds easy enough - although I do recommend you to contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen as you might want to consider taking DHT blocker medication. While diet and exercise do have beneficial effects on your hormone levels, I have to emphasise the fact that healthy eating is not a cure for PCOS nor CAH.
Ingredients:
2 cups frozen blueberries
3 packed cups baby spinach
3 Tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
OPTIONAL:
1/2 apple if you prefer a sweeter taste
Here is a breakdown of how the ingredients
in this smoothie can work in your favour to decrease DHT in the bloodstream:
Bluberries – Blueberries are not only high in flavanoids,
which fight free radical damage, but additionally provide plenty of biotin. Biotin
is a B-vitamin which moisturises your scalp and skin, creating the optimal
condition for new hair to grow healthfully.
Spinach – Zinc can help us rejuvenate hair growth and promotes
acne-free skin with its soothing and DHT inhibiting properties. Fresh spinach
is an excellent source of this powerful mineral.
Pumpkin seeds –Pumpkin seeds contain a steroid called
delta-7 stearine, which blocks DHT build up in hair follicles.
Almond milk – While the almond content in almond milk is too
low to make a palpable difference, it is still notable that almonds are high in
l-lysine, which amplifies the DHT blocking effect of the other ingredients.
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