Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Black Tea- Natural DHT Blocker





Drink black tea. The Harvard study  found that black tea decreased DHT formation. Green tea might be beneficial as well, the study noted, but black tea produced more benefit.
Mice treated with black tea tended to have a greater serum testosterone concentration (34.4%, P = 0.50) and had a 72% lower DHT concentration than controls (P < 0.05), suggesting that black tea may contain components that inhibit the activity of 5-reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to the more bioactive DHT. See here http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/133/2/516



Pygeum- Herbal DHT Blocker


PYGEUM AFRICANUM is a large evergreen tree found in central and southern Africa. The extracts from the pygeum bark contain several compounds thought to be helpful in prostate health and have been used for decades to treat prostate enlargement (BPH). Like saw palmetto and nettle root, pygeum is also believed to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase which converts testosterone to follicle-harming DHT. Despite the lack of clinical evidence of any positive impact on male pattern baldness, pygeum can be found in a number of natural hair loss remedies.

Stop Hair Loss With Coconut milk



One age-old treatment to encourage hair growth and slow down the process of losing it involves the use of coconut milk. Fresh coconut milk nourishes your hair, promoting growth. Read on to learn how to stop hair loss with coconut milk and win your battle with balding spots and receding hairlines.
Coconut milk is a magic potion for your hair. Take a dry coconut and grate it. Grind to a fine paste and then sieve through a soft fine cloth to collect the milk of the coconut. Make around 1-2 cups of milk depending on the length of your hair. Apply the milk on the scalp and hair and leave to dry. Keep it for about 2 hrs and then rinse your hair with normal water (do not apply shampoo). This will leave the pure coconut oil in your hair. Keep the oil for 24 hours and shampoo the following day. This process will make your hair softer and smoother to touch and you will see an almost immediate drastic reduction in your rate of hair loss. For chronic cases of hair loss, do this once a week. Eventually once the problem is resolved completely, you can do this once in 2 or 3 weeks. It helps not only in reducing hair fall but also improves the overall health and texture of hair.

Emu Oil DHT Blocker

Research has shown that emu oil contains a high level of linolenic acid which further research has shown to be an efficient antiandrogen. Linolenic acid is a potent 5 alpha reductase inhibitor and may be usefull in the treatment of disorders related to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone. Linolenic Acid has been suggested to be of use in the disorders such as benign prostratic hyperplasma, acne androgenetic alopecia and hirsuitism.
So in summary, it is now believed that emu oil may not only halt hairloss by blocking dht, but it may actually promote regrowth. The oil is non-greasy at it can be applied directly to the scalp at night. 

How Emu oil stops hair loss
  • Blocks DHT.
  • Promotes hair regrowth.
  • Reverses the effects of aging on the skin and scalp. 
  • Nourishes the scalp and hair

Soybean a Powerful DHT Inhibitor

It acts  the same mechanism as Propecia and Avodart, but in a way that is much more cost effective and virtually side effect free. In fact there is evidence indicating that soy isoflavones, despite being phytoestrogens, may have aromatase inhibiting properties that would promote reductions in bodyfat and increases in libido, the exact opposite of side effects reported with Propecia and Avodart. Moreover, the source of isoflavones (soy milk and soy protein) used the studies was only dietary and of a much lower potency than one would get using a concentrated isoflavone compound, which would likely yield even far more significant reductions in DHT . The reported reductions in DHT were also not dependent upon one being genetically able to produce and utilize Equol, which some evidence suggest may limited to an Asian subset of the human population. In light of this data, soy isoflavones may be the answer for those looking for a side effect free alternative to Propecia, or for those looking to significantly enhance the efficacy of their existing treatment regimes. Studies suggest that soy’s effects on health and hair are enhanced further when combined with green tea.
Several studies have suggested that soybean intake is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. However, the mechanism of prostate cancer prevention by soybeans remains unclear. Because prostate cancer is reported to have an association with an increased level of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and soybean isoflavones are known to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase, which is involved in the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the effects of soybean extract and isoflavones on the plasma levels of male sex hormones were investigated using male rats. In Experiment  Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets with and without soy flour; in Experiment II, rats were fed diets containing 2% soy methanol extract or 0.2% semipurified isoflavones or a control diet. The study showed a reduction of plasma DHT along with an increase in total plasma androgen in rats fed soy flour or semipurified isoflavones for 1 wk. These results suggest that soy isoflavone intake may reduce plasma DHT level. See here see here the research

Pumpkin Seed Oil- Natural DHT Blocker

Pumpkins and other squashes are native to North and Central America, but are now cultivated around the world. The seeds are primarily used in herbal medicine. The yellow blossoms of pumpkins are also used as a health remedy in some native traditions. The viscous oil extracted from pumpkin appears green in thin a layer and red in a thick layer. Pumpkin seed oil is believed to be a natural DHT blocker. The potency of this herbal remedy is still under scientific investigation. At present, no clinical study exists regarding its potency to block DHT or its effectiveness in treating baldness.

Pumpkin seed ingredients

Pumpkin seed oil is rich in iron, zinc essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, minerals and vitamins. Other constituents include delta-7-sterine, mucilaginous carbohydrates and minerals. Additionally, pumpkin seeds reportedly contain significant amounts of L-tryptophan.

Pumpkin seed dosage

Patients with BPH have used 160 mg of seed oil extracts standardized for fatty acid content, 3 times per day with meals. Between 5 – 10 grams of pumpkin seeds per day are recommended for kidney stone prevention. As a treatment for parasites, 200–400 grams can be ground down and taken with milk and honey, followed by castor oil two hours later. This treatment, however, should not be attempted without medical supervision.

Side effects of pumpkin oil

No significant side effects have been reported in taking pumpkin seeds, other than an occasional upset stomach. There is no reason to believe pumpkin seeds should be avoided during pregnancy or breast-feeding as they are commonly consumed as a food during these times without any indication of harm. To our knowledge, no significant drug interactions with pumpkin have been reported.

Health benefits of pumpkin

Use of pumpkin seeds for the treatment of intestinal infections led the United States Pharmacopoeia to list them as an official medicine for parasite elimination up until 1936. Native Americans also commonly used pumpkin seeds to treat a variety of kidney problems. Indeed, two clinical studies in Thailand have reported that eating pumpkin seeds as a snack can help prevent the most common type of kidney stone. Animal studies have shown that pumpkin seed extracts can improve the function of the bladder and urethra.Pumpkin seed oil is most commonly used to treat irritable bowel syndrome. Some studies have also found pumpkin seeds can regulate cholesterol levels. Pumpkin seed oil, when used in combination with saw palmetto, has been found in two clinical trials to diminish the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).In herbal medicine pumpkin seeds can be used to treat urinary tract problems and gastritis, and to remove tapeworms and roundworms from the intestines. Curcurbitin is a compound in pumpkin seeds that has exhibited anti-parasitic activity in in-vitro studies. Clinical trials carried out in China and Russia have shown pumpkin seeds to be useful in treating tapeworm infestations. Pumpkin seed oil is commonly prescribed in German folk medicine as a remedy for parasitic infestations of the intestinal tract.

Saw Palmetto - Herbal DHT Blocker

Serenoa repens is the medical name for the herb saw palmetto. The deep red fruit of this small palm grows wild in warm climates such as those found in the Southeastern United States.
The liposerolic extract of the fruit of Saw Palmetto is the most popular herbal supplement for the promotion of prostate health in Europe.Research has shown that the herb Saw Palmetto has the same effects as finasteride in treating patients with benign prostate enlargement. In fact, the herb is very popular and common in Germany and is available as an over-the-counter medication. There are many research and studies in Germany that confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating patients with prostatic disease.Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts in a similar way that propecia does. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by Blocking 5 alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto block receptor sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Although no studies have been carried out on saw palmetto and its relation to hair growth. Studies have been performed on the use of Saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic disease which similar to Androgenetic Alopecia also depends on the production of  dihydrotestosterone(DHT). All of the studies that have been performed to date show that Saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and has shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment of benign prostate disease.More and more people around the globe are starting to use Saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasma and in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia.One may assume from this that since Saw palmetto is an effective antiandrogen and is used in the treatment of prostatic disease then it may also be effective in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia.Some studies have shown that saw palmetto may have the same effect as the drug finasteride in treating hair loss and prostate enlargement diseases. It has been suggested that both hair loss and prostate disease are related to the hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone.Finasteride works as an 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It reduces the amount of 5-alpha reductase in our body and thereby reduces the formation of DHT, which is the main cause for hair loss and prostatic disease. DHT is formed when 5-alpha reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone. DHT is a derivate of testosterone but is many times more potent. Hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT tend to fall off when exposed to the hormone.
Finasteride is marketed as Proscar® (5 mg finasteride) or Propecia™ (1 mg finasteride) by the Merck & Co. Both Proscar and Propecia are oral medication and has been approved by the FDA in the United States. Proscar is usually prescriped for people with benign prostate enlargement. Propecia was approved by the FDA in December 1997 as the first ever anti-baldness pill. Both Proscar and Propecia are available by prescription only.
Since both hair loss and prostatic disease are related to DHT, many suggest that Saw Palmetto will also be effective in treating people with hair loss by reducing the amount of DHT in our body and around the hair follicles. Although there is no formal study or testing to confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating hair loss, many companies are already preparing topical hair lotions that are formulated with Saw Palmetto.
Saw Palmetto and Beta-sitosterol Study
Natural Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness
7/3/02 - Healthnotes Newswire—Those with male pattern baldness may increase hair growth by taking a preparation containing saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and beta-sitosterol (a compound found in many edible plants), according to a new study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (2002;8:143–52).Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition that most often affects men, but may affect women as well. Hair loss often starts with a receding hairline and continues in a horseshoe pattern, leaving hair on the sides and back of the head mostly unaffected. Although the exact reason that such hair loss occurs is not clear, some studies suggest that excessive conversion of testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be an underlying cause.
Conventional medicines used to treat male pattern baldness are designed to block the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Topical application of minoxidil (Rogaine®) and taking oral finasteride (Propecia®) have been shown to inhibit this conversion and to increase hair growth, but both medications have been linked with several adverse side effects, including fast heart rate, headaches, impotence, and decreased libido. Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol have been shown to block the production of DHT in men suffering from enlargement of the prostate (or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is also due to excessive amounts of DHT), but this is the first study to demonstrate that these compounds also help with hair loss—and without causing significant side effects.
In the new study, 19 men between the ages of 23 and 64 years with mild to moderate hair loss were given either a placebo or a supplement containing 400 mg of a standardized extract of saw palmetto and 100 mg of beta-sitosterol per day. After about five months, hair growth in 60% of the men taking the herbal combination had improved compared with their initial evaluation. In contrast, only 11% of those receiving the placebo improved.
Although the number of men in the study was small and the results were not statistically significant (which means the improvement may have occurred by chance alone), the findings are encouraging for millions of men (and possibly women) with male pattern hair loss and offers a relatively safe alternative for those who want to take a natural approach to treat this condition. Larger studies are needed to confirm the benefit of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol, as reported in this preliminary study. In addition, women of childbearing age should not use saw palmetto without medical supervision because it has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy and lactation.
At the present time, there is no known cure for male pattern baldness. Both conventional and natural treatments can help control the hair loss as long as one maintains the treatment, though it will often recur once the treatment is discontinued. Given the safety of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol, they seem a reasonable first line of treatment for mild to moderate male pattern baldness before considering conventional medications.