01-01-2016, 07:41 PM
Just found this and one of these sound very interesting indeed
What are Natural DHT Blockers? Why Block DHT?
It is known that the main antagonist in the fight against genetic hair loss is DHT. That is short for dihydro-testosterone. Therefore, the principal part of anyone’s hair loss prevention regime should be DHT blockers. Dihydro-testosterone has also been linked to benign prostate hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) and even prostate cancer.Herbs - Natural DHT Blockers
“DHT-Blocking” is a widely used term to describe a number of methods to prevent DHT from miniaturizing hair follicles (and eventually causing them to stop growing hair altogether). Sometimes the term is incorrectly used as marketing lingo or by people who simply do not understand the process. As such, “DHT-Blocker” has become a term associated with any products that work through the following mechanisms:
Lower the baseline production of DHT
Inhibiting the production of DHT, by reducing the production of the enyzme 5 alpha reductase that converts into DHT
Preventing DHT from binding to the receptors in hair follicles
Reduce cholesterol, too much cholesterol can produce enyme 5 alpha reductase which turns testosterone into DHT
Purifying the scalp and removing any excess sebum and scalp DHT
All of the above are considered methods of DHT-blocking. Why block DHT? Well if you are interested in keeping your hair of course. You can stop, slow, or even reverse hair loss by following a daily regime that attacks DHT from multiple angles. The fact of the matter is DHT will continue to bind the hair follicle cell receptors until the hair gets thinner, finer, and eventually falls out. When hair gets extremely fine and wispy you know the corresponding hair follicle is near the end of its life. A dormant hair follicle that was damaged thoroughly by DHT will no longer produce hair. It is much harder to get a hair follicle that has been dead for a long time to produce hair than it is to get a hair follicle that is still producing thin hair. Think of it like doing preventative maintenance on a car. If you do the little things along the way you’ll have a full head of hair later into your life. But if you let it all go to the wayside then you have to pay big time for a new engine (something extreme like hair implants, for example).
Natural DHT Blockers List: Comprehensive List of Known and Potential DHT Blocking Herbs
There are many herbs that have been found to act against DHT in numerous ways. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been many extensive, long term studies completed on the following list. There are only a select handful with significant scientific data. Most of these herbs and other such substances can be easily found and mass produced at low cost. In turn, the profit incentive just isn’t there to organize and follow through on clinical studies and lab research.
If you are looking to use one of the following for hair loss, your best bet is finding a reliable manufacturer. You want the extract version of these herbs, meaning they are highly concentrated and have the best chance to work. If you are worried about side effects you should consult your doctor. It is advisable to check with your physician before starting any new supplement or treatment.
Saw Palmetto. This is likely the most popular natural DHT blocker. A lot of evidence has been gathered showing its efficacy in preventing or slowing hair loss. It is a potent herbal DHT inhibitor and considered the best natural DHT blocker by many. Saw palmetto is approved in Europe as a treatment for hair loss. It is also widely used to keep men’s prostates healthy, just like the medication Finasteride. Propecia is the name brand of Finasteride. Both saw palmetto and Propecia are known to be 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Saw palmetto is tolerated very well by the majority who take it. Mild side effects such as upset stomach are sometimes experienced by users.
Pygeum Bark. This is another herbal remedy that has been shown to alleviate unpleasant side effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Pygeum Africanum is thought to be a hormone balancer. It will aid the user in reducing and regulating levels of DHT. Like saw palmetto, it also partially blocks the action of 5 alpha reductase. Pygeum is known to block another enyzme called aromatase as well.
Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin seed oil has been discovered to break down DHT via the liver. Eating raw pumpkin seeds was a method in the old days to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia. In Germany, the regulatory agency that acts like the US FDA called the German E Commission, has approved pumpkin seed oil for the treatment of prostate disorders. The Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines believes the DHT blocking properties are thanks to the presence of rare amino acids such as cucurbitin and several plant steroids.
Stinging Nettle Root. Stinging nettle is a botanical with a long history of human use. Like saw palmetto, stinging nettle is used widely in Europe to treat BPH. There was also a double blind study in 2013 with 100 patients you can read about here. It is sometimes combined with pygeum bark and saw palmetto for a potent blend of DHT blockers. This herbal combination is found to effectively reduce prostate swelling. Since androgenetic alopecia is caused by a similar mechanism (DHT) as prostatic hyperplasia, this blend of herbs has been seen to be particularly effective at warding off hair loss.
Beta Sitosterol. Beta sitosterol is actually a mixture of phytersterols. These phytersterols have anti-androgenic properties, which are known to fight off DHT. Most plant species contain sterols, for example, even saw palmetto has sterols. Beta Sitosterol actually contains more sterols than saw palmetto. Beta sitosterol also lowers cholesterol levels which is associated with higher DHT levels. It is a completely organic product, and is not known to have any negative side effects.
Emu Oil. 100% natural emu oil contains a high concentration of linolenic acid. Research has shwon that linolenic acid is a mild antiandrogen. It is sometimes used to treat acne and hirsuitism. While it may not be the best DHT blocker, many associate using emu oil with promoting new hair growth. The oil is not greasy and can be applied to the scalp at night.
Soy Isoflavones. This is a natural DHT remedy. These isoflavones indirectly block dht by regulating bad cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can elevate production of enzyme 5 alpha reductase, which in turn converts testosterone into DHT. Consuming soy products have also been shown to regulate hormones, increase bone strength, promote cardiovascular health, and seen to have positive effects on the prostate. This is a good DHT blocker for women as it reduces the risk of breast cancer, prevents osteoporosis, and protects against uterine cancer.
Green Tea. Some research has indicated that epigallocatechin 3 Gallate (EGCG), one of the active components of green tea, also blocks the formation of DHT. At Harvard Medical School, a team of scientists reported in an issue of The Journal of Nutrition that green tea had significantly decreased DHT and testosterone concentration in the blood. A more recent study was conducted by British researchers. This was published in “The Prostate” in 2009. It found that EGCG decreased cell proliferation in cancerous prostate cells by inhibiting DHT.
Giant Dodder. This is a botanical that has been shown to block DHT by inhibiting 5 alpha reductase. However, this was successful in cultured skin cells, it has yet to be clinically studies on humans. The study, which was published in September of 2008 issue of the Hournal of Cosmetic Dermatology, showed DHT conversion was prevented when giant dodder extract was added to skin cells taken from mice with testosterone induced alopecia.
Gotu Kola. This herb has been used in India, China, and Indonesia (particularly in Ayurveda and Brahmi medicine) to treat many conditions for thousands of years. It has been used for things from anti-aging to a cure for diabetes. One of its constituents, called asiaticoside, has been found to stimulate and repair hair, nails, and other connective tissues. A study that was published in March 2011 of the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceautical Sciences concluded that gotu kola extract increased hair length and density in rats. It is thought to improve blood circulation to the hair.While no definitive human studies have been completed, many herbal hair loss products will include this ingredient in their mix.
Muira Puama. This is a male tonic that increases libido and strengthens sexual function. It is sometimes called “potency wood” as it is found in bark in certain trees native to the Amazon rain forest. It has been used for a long time in South America for mainly impotency, but reducing hair loss and balding was found to be another helpful benefit.
Eleuthero Root. Known formerly as Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero is utilized in many healthy hair supplements. It is also known to reduce hormones that are related to stress. It is used as a herbal antioxidant in Russia and China, but also as a natural hair loss cure. To date, there is no clinical proof of its positive effects on preventing hair loss.
L-Lysine. Some websites will promote L-Lysine as a DHT blocker. That is not the case. It has no androgenetic properties. However, researchers have found that those that supplement DHT inhibitors with L-Lysine get better results. It was used by patients taking Propecia and found to bolster their results when compared to the control group.
What are Natural DHT Blockers? Why Block DHT?
It is known that the main antagonist in the fight against genetic hair loss is DHT. That is short for dihydro-testosterone. Therefore, the principal part of anyone’s hair loss prevention regime should be DHT blockers. Dihydro-testosterone has also been linked to benign prostate hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) and even prostate cancer.Herbs - Natural DHT Blockers
“DHT-Blocking” is a widely used term to describe a number of methods to prevent DHT from miniaturizing hair follicles (and eventually causing them to stop growing hair altogether). Sometimes the term is incorrectly used as marketing lingo or by people who simply do not understand the process. As such, “DHT-Blocker” has become a term associated with any products that work through the following mechanisms:
Lower the baseline production of DHT
Inhibiting the production of DHT, by reducing the production of the enyzme 5 alpha reductase that converts into DHT
Preventing DHT from binding to the receptors in hair follicles
Reduce cholesterol, too much cholesterol can produce enyme 5 alpha reductase which turns testosterone into DHT
Purifying the scalp and removing any excess sebum and scalp DHT
All of the above are considered methods of DHT-blocking. Why block DHT? Well if you are interested in keeping your hair of course. You can stop, slow, or even reverse hair loss by following a daily regime that attacks DHT from multiple angles. The fact of the matter is DHT will continue to bind the hair follicle cell receptors until the hair gets thinner, finer, and eventually falls out. When hair gets extremely fine and wispy you know the corresponding hair follicle is near the end of its life. A dormant hair follicle that was damaged thoroughly by DHT will no longer produce hair. It is much harder to get a hair follicle that has been dead for a long time to produce hair than it is to get a hair follicle that is still producing thin hair. Think of it like doing preventative maintenance on a car. If you do the little things along the way you’ll have a full head of hair later into your life. But if you let it all go to the wayside then you have to pay big time for a new engine (something extreme like hair implants, for example).
Natural DHT Blockers List: Comprehensive List of Known and Potential DHT Blocking Herbs
There are many herbs that have been found to act against DHT in numerous ways. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been many extensive, long term studies completed on the following list. There are only a select handful with significant scientific data. Most of these herbs and other such substances can be easily found and mass produced at low cost. In turn, the profit incentive just isn’t there to organize and follow through on clinical studies and lab research.
If you are looking to use one of the following for hair loss, your best bet is finding a reliable manufacturer. You want the extract version of these herbs, meaning they are highly concentrated and have the best chance to work. If you are worried about side effects you should consult your doctor. It is advisable to check with your physician before starting any new supplement or treatment.
Saw Palmetto. This is likely the most popular natural DHT blocker. A lot of evidence has been gathered showing its efficacy in preventing or slowing hair loss. It is a potent herbal DHT inhibitor and considered the best natural DHT blocker by many. Saw palmetto is approved in Europe as a treatment for hair loss. It is also widely used to keep men’s prostates healthy, just like the medication Finasteride. Propecia is the name brand of Finasteride. Both saw palmetto and Propecia are known to be 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Saw palmetto is tolerated very well by the majority who take it. Mild side effects such as upset stomach are sometimes experienced by users.
Pygeum Bark. This is another herbal remedy that has been shown to alleviate unpleasant side effects of benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). Pygeum Africanum is thought to be a hormone balancer. It will aid the user in reducing and regulating levels of DHT. Like saw palmetto, it also partially blocks the action of 5 alpha reductase. Pygeum is known to block another enyzme called aromatase as well.
Pumpkin Seed Oil. Pumpkin seed oil has been discovered to break down DHT via the liver. Eating raw pumpkin seeds was a method in the old days to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia. In Germany, the regulatory agency that acts like the US FDA called the German E Commission, has approved pumpkin seed oil for the treatment of prostate disorders. The Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines believes the DHT blocking properties are thanks to the presence of rare amino acids such as cucurbitin and several plant steroids.
Stinging Nettle Root. Stinging nettle is a botanical with a long history of human use. Like saw palmetto, stinging nettle is used widely in Europe to treat BPH. There was also a double blind study in 2013 with 100 patients you can read about here. It is sometimes combined with pygeum bark and saw palmetto for a potent blend of DHT blockers. This herbal combination is found to effectively reduce prostate swelling. Since androgenetic alopecia is caused by a similar mechanism (DHT) as prostatic hyperplasia, this blend of herbs has been seen to be particularly effective at warding off hair loss.
Beta Sitosterol. Beta sitosterol is actually a mixture of phytersterols. These phytersterols have anti-androgenic properties, which are known to fight off DHT. Most plant species contain sterols, for example, even saw palmetto has sterols. Beta Sitosterol actually contains more sterols than saw palmetto. Beta sitosterol also lowers cholesterol levels which is associated with higher DHT levels. It is a completely organic product, and is not known to have any negative side effects.
Emu Oil. 100% natural emu oil contains a high concentration of linolenic acid. Research has shwon that linolenic acid is a mild antiandrogen. It is sometimes used to treat acne and hirsuitism. While it may not be the best DHT blocker, many associate using emu oil with promoting new hair growth. The oil is not greasy and can be applied to the scalp at night.
Soy Isoflavones. This is a natural DHT remedy. These isoflavones indirectly block dht by regulating bad cholesterol. High levels of cholesterol can elevate production of enzyme 5 alpha reductase, which in turn converts testosterone into DHT. Consuming soy products have also been shown to regulate hormones, increase bone strength, promote cardiovascular health, and seen to have positive effects on the prostate. This is a good DHT blocker for women as it reduces the risk of breast cancer, prevents osteoporosis, and protects against uterine cancer.
Green Tea. Some research has indicated that epigallocatechin 3 Gallate (EGCG), one of the active components of green tea, also blocks the formation of DHT. At Harvard Medical School, a team of scientists reported in an issue of The Journal of Nutrition that green tea had significantly decreased DHT and testosterone concentration in the blood. A more recent study was conducted by British researchers. This was published in “The Prostate” in 2009. It found that EGCG decreased cell proliferation in cancerous prostate cells by inhibiting DHT.
Giant Dodder. This is a botanical that has been shown to block DHT by inhibiting 5 alpha reductase. However, this was successful in cultured skin cells, it has yet to be clinically studies on humans. The study, which was published in September of 2008 issue of the Hournal of Cosmetic Dermatology, showed DHT conversion was prevented when giant dodder extract was added to skin cells taken from mice with testosterone induced alopecia.
Gotu Kola. This herb has been used in India, China, and Indonesia (particularly in Ayurveda and Brahmi medicine) to treat many conditions for thousands of years. It has been used for things from anti-aging to a cure for diabetes. One of its constituents, called asiaticoside, has been found to stimulate and repair hair, nails, and other connective tissues. A study that was published in March 2011 of the International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceautical Sciences concluded that gotu kola extract increased hair length and density in rats. It is thought to improve blood circulation to the hair.While no definitive human studies have been completed, many herbal hair loss products will include this ingredient in their mix.
Muira Puama. This is a male tonic that increases libido and strengthens sexual function. It is sometimes called “potency wood” as it is found in bark in certain trees native to the Amazon rain forest. It has been used for a long time in South America for mainly impotency, but reducing hair loss and balding was found to be another helpful benefit.
Eleuthero Root. Known formerly as Siberian Ginseng, Eleuthero is utilized in many healthy hair supplements. It is also known to reduce hormones that are related to stress. It is used as a herbal antioxidant in Russia and China, but also as a natural hair loss cure. To date, there is no clinical proof of its positive effects on preventing hair loss.
L-Lysine. Some websites will promote L-Lysine as a DHT blocker. That is not the case. It has no androgenetic properties. However, researchers have found that those that supplement DHT inhibitors with L-Lysine get better results. It was used by patients taking Propecia and found to bolster their results when compared to the control group.
