Given the sexual, psychological, and cognitive consequences of finasteride, (Propecia/Proscar), many wonder if side effect free alternatives that promote hair growth exists??

      The short answer is yes. Finasteride functions by lowering serum levels of DHT via its ability to inhibit 5 alpha reductase type 2. Dutasteride (Avodart) lowers DHT even further by inhibiting 5 alpha reductase types 1 and 2. Fortunately, and contrary to what most M.D.’s and drug companies would have you believe, there are several natural side effect free compounds that lower serum DHT and provide ADDITIONAL mechanisms that benefit hair growth in ways Propecia doesn’t. These effects have been elucidated many times over in published studies.

These compounds include, but may not be limited to the following:

Soy Isoflavones: The simple dietary consumption of Soy based foods lowers serum DHT. It is highly likely that higher concentrations of specific Isoflavones lower DHT significantly further. MPB in soy consuming is a mere fraction of what it is in non soy consuming cultures.

The use of Soy Isoflavones to prevent hair loss

Soy/Cayenne Combo for Hair Loss

Soy and Baldness Prevention

Soy Metabolite could halt Hair Loss

Soy/Cayenne:In addition to the DHT reducing effects of Soy, the addition of Cayeene increases cutaneous IGF-1 producing a significant amount of hair growth in a short time in one published study. Propecia itself has been shown to increase cutaneous levels of IGF-1.

Soy/Cayenne combo for Hair Loss

Curcumin:In addition to inhibiting a primary inflammatory cytokine directly linked to MPB, (TGF-b), Curcumin , like dutasteride, also inhibits both 5 alpha reductase types 1 and 2.

Curcumin-a 5 alpha reductase type 1 and type 2 inhibitor

Italian Patent details Hair Growth Effects of Resveratrol /Curcumin Combo

Stress, Inflammation, Hair Loss-Responsive to Resveratrol/Curcumin

Green Tea:The consumption of Green Tea, or preferably Green Tea Extracts, has been shown to lower serum DHT, even moreso when used concurrently with Soy Isoflavones. Green Tea also inhibits 5 alpha reductase type 1. Like Soy, the consumption of Green Tea is epidemiologically linked to a reduced incidence of MPB.

Green Tea and Hair Loss

Xanthine Compound Formula for Hair Loss

Green tea raises SHBG-Hair Loss Benefit

L’Oreal Patents Green Tea based Hair Loss Treatment

L’Oreal-Green Tea , Taurine based Hair Loss Treatment

How to Significantly Enhance Absorption of Green Tea

Flax Lignans:Secoisolaricire https://www.hairloss-research.org/greentea.html sinol diglucoside (SDG), the main flax lignan,inhibits production of 5-alpha reductase.

Flax,Coconut Oil , and Hair Loss

HMR Lignan:Norway Spruce lignan- hydroxymatairesinol, is the most potent enterolactone precursor available-enterolactones lower serum levels of dht.

Spruce and Flax Lignans Inhibit DHT

Saw Palmetto /Astazanthin combination:Lowers serum dht.

Saw Palmetto /Astazanthin

      These natural compounds that lower serum DHT, have multiple other health and antiaging benefits.

      The question that begs is why so many insist on using a drug that has known side effects, when there are many other health promoting anti-aging compounds available that also lower serum dht, that have side benefits as opposed to side effects.