Some info I copied and pasted a few years ago. Don't have all the sources. Much of it is about male pattern baldness. And it isn't always clear which type of 5-Alpha Reductase inhibitors they are talking about, but some inhibit both. DYODD
GLA, ALA, Linoleic Acid and Oleic Acid as DHT Blockers
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), Alpha Linolenic Acid (ALA), Linoleic and Oleic Acid are essential fatty acids found in plant oils. These fatty acids have been individually proven to inhibit 5-Alpha Reductase. In fact these are the most powerful inhibitors of 5-Alpha Reductase known today. Not only do they inhibit the Type II form of the 5-Alpha Reductase which other products like Propecia® inhibit, but also the Type I form of the enzyme which is present in high concentrations in the scalp, sebaceous glands, and the skin. Additionally GLA, ALA and Oleic acid have potent anti-inflammatory properties.
There are many plant sources like Borage Oil and primrose oil which are known to contain gamma linolenic acids and alpha linolenic acids and are used as Natural Herbal Remedies for hair loss.
Azelaic Acid, Vitamin B6 and Zinc
Azelaic acid is a naturally occurring dicarboxylic acid found in whole grain cereals, rye, barley and animal products. It is FDA approved as a topical preparation for the treatment of acne and it is effective against a number of other skin conditions when applied topically. There is strong scientific evidence that Azelaic Acid and Zinc are potent inhibitors of 5-Alpha-Reductase. When Azelaic acid, Vitamin B6 and Zinc Sulfate were added together at low concentrations, 90% inhibition of 5 Alpha-Reductase activity was obtained. The synergistic activity of these compounds against 5-Alpha-Reductase makes this combination potentially a very effective hair growth formula for treatment of Male Pattern Baldness.
A Hair Growth Formula for DHT Hair Loss
Many companies every now and then churn out new natural hair growth formulas by combining GLA, ALA, Linoleic Acid, Azelaic acid, Vitamin B6, Zinc Sulfate and Saw Palmetto extracts. These ingredients work through different mechanisms to synergistically inhibit both type 1 and 2 forms of 5-Alpha Reductase and decrease DHT locally. By decreasing the DHT levels, hair follicles can grow and thicken naturally, leading to a fuller, healthier scalp without the side effects associated with synthetic medications.
Zinc has been shown to be a beneficial vitamin in the
treatment of both Alopecia Areata and Androgenic Alopecia. Oral zinc
has been shown to be of benefit in Alopecia areata and seems to have
an immunomodulatory effect.There have been studies in which zinc is
shown to inhibit 5 alpha reductase activity, and it is therefor
concluded that zinc is beneficial in diseases and disorders related to
an excess in dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
such as Androgenetic Alopecia, Benign Prostratic Hyperplasma and acne.
There have been studies that have shown that vitamin b6, zinc and
azelaic acid combined together, even at very low concentrations caused
a 90% inhibition of 5 alpha reductase activity. Zinc is a vitamin that
is used in other disorders related to excess dihydrotestosterone, such
as acne and prostratic disease. One may be likely to assume that as it
is of benefit in treating these types of androgen dependent conditions
then it may be of some benefit in the treatment of androgenetic
alopecia. Topical application of zinc has shown to reduce sebum
production and acne. Also some people suffering from acne have been
found to have zinc deficiencies in their skin, despite of the fact
that they may have normal levels within their bloodstream..."
([LifestylesNews] Lifestyles Newsletter, 02/2002 Vol. 2, Issue 2)
http://www.pcolist.o...ary/000042.htmlVitamin B6 has been widely reported to control acne, especially
premenstrual outbreaks due to hormonal imbalances. By metabolizing
fats and fatty acids, vitamin B6 balances oil production in the skin.
http://www.healthwel...0...=54&mcat=58Flax lignans
http://www.acne.org/...ctase inhibitorSecoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG), the main flax lignan, can help prevent this by inhibiting production of the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, called 5-alpha reductase.
Basically, the phytoestrogens can be a double edged sword depending upon your natural estrogen level in your body. If it's dominant, it can make DHT further dominant. If it does work well for you, then perhaps you have a huge testosterone dominance and too little estrogen perhaps.
http://www.acne.org/...ctase inhibitorhttp://www.mdr.com/h...wo_problems.htm - Adds green tea and ginkgo biloba.
Within our bodies exists the enzyme, steroid Type II 5 alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone (male hormone) to 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is believed that accumulation of DHT in the prostate leads to Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), or an enlarged prostate. What’s interesting is that the same accumulation of DHT in the prostate may be linked to male pattern baldness.
Receptors in hair follicles allow DHT to enter. What happens is that DHT shrinks your hair follicles. DHT also thickens your scalp’s membrane, which restricts blood flow to the capillaries that feed hair follicles. As the effects of DHT progressively damage hair follicles, there is an inflammatory response mediated by the immune system. Immune cells cause further damage to hair follicles, eventually destroying them. This combination of events is what causes hair to fall out.(1) The medical term for this balding process is called androgenetic alopecia (AGA or male pattern baldness). Is there any way to inhibit DHT production AND block its entrance into hair follicles? Studies show there may be.
Green Tea, a Natural DHT Blocker!
Scientists found that certain natural compounds may inhibit production of 5 alpha-reductase and DHT while preventing DHT from getting into hair follicles. One common household item that contains potential DHT-blocking nutrients is Green tea. Within tea leaves are two compounds, epicatechin-3-gallate, and epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which have been shown to inhibit 5 alpha-reductase activity.(2) Although there have been no human studies of Green Tea’s impact on hair growth, animal studies have shown that when Green Tea polyphenol extract was added to their drinking water, the animals presented significant hair regrowth.(3)
Fatty Acids for Thinning Hair.
Another source of DHT blockers is Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid (EFA) found mostly in plant-based oils such as evening primrose oil, black currant seed oil, and borage oil. EFAs are necessary for healthy brain function, bone health, stimulation of skin and hair growth, and metabolism. GLA has been shown in studies to inhibit DHT-enhanced activity of 5 alpha-reductase. (4) In one study, animals treated with GLA had a noticeable effect on inhibiting 5 alpha-reductase type 2.(5) In the study, researchers investigating another compound that inhibited 5 alpha-reductase type 2 suggested this particular agent might be effective for fighting male pattern baldness.
60% Saw Improvement!
In addition to the agents just discussed, researchers have been investigating Beta Sitosterol, a botanical ingredient, for its role in blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Beta Sitosterol has been shown to be effective against BPH. This is the first example of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study undertaken in order to examine the benefit of this substances in the treatment of AGA (male pattern baldness). The study involved males between the ages of 23 and 64 with mild alopecia (male pattern baldness). Sixty percent of the study group treated with Beta Sitosterol were rated as improved at the final visit. The study showed that naturally occurring 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors against AGA warrants further clinical trials.(6)
Baldness May be Just a Memory.
Another plant extract adding to the list of DHT blockers is Ginkgo Biloba. We normally think of Ginkgo as a memory nutrient due to its ability to promote vasodilation and improve blood flow in arteries. veins, and capillaries, which is good for the brain (7). But, Ginkgo Biloba also helps improve microcirculation in the blood vessels of the scalp so that the hair can receive sufficient nourishment. So an extract that helps memory may also help our hair.
There’s also Saw Palmetto, a plant extract that has also been shown to suppress DHT levels in the prostate, suggesting that inhibition of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase is a mechanism of action of this substance. (8) A review of various alpha-blocker treatments published in a medical journal indicated that “treatment for men with co-occurring benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis may include alpha-blockers, 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and phytotherapies (saw palmetto and bee pollen extract), with evidence clearly showing the benefits of alpha-blocker therapy.â€(9) Although there have been conflicting reports as the impact Saw Palmetto has on blocking DHT, many studies do provide compelling evidence that the plant extract is effective in this area. In fact, one study found that there was such a strong positive response to Saw Palmetto and Beta-Sitosterol treatment in participants with Androgenetic Alopecia, the lead researcher felt this therapy justified expansion to much larger trials.(10)
While there are numerous studies confirming the benefits of supplementing with these plant-derived alpha-blockers to improve BPH, concluding that alpha-blockers can also benefit men with male pattern baldness is more difficult. However, the idea that inhibiting production of DHT makes perfect sense and is worth trying a supplement that provides the previously mentioned agents. Even the drug Propecia works by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme so it prevents the conversion of testosterone into DHT â€" exactly what Saw Palmetto, Green Tea, and Beta-Sitosterol do!.
Edited by alternativista, 10 February 2012 - 04:17 PM.
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) AND acne... I was hoping some of you guys could help me figure out natural DHT blockers/ Testosterone reducers..
