It is well established that hormone driven, or Androgenetic Hair Loss (AGA) is a function of both hormones and inflammation. Traditional medical treatment typically addresses DHT alone, via finasteride, while largely ignoring the even more significant inflammatory factors. Our longstanding recommendation has been to simultaneously deal with both factors, (which one can do several ways) which is likely why our recommended treatment protocols, even in their more streamlined forms, are much more effective than anti-androgens, like Propecia or Saw Palmetto alone.
This just published study validates our recommendations of the concurrent use of anti-inflammation components and 5AR inhibitors like Saw Palmetto via assays of cell lines (dermal papilla cells) and offers further support for the usage of botanical 5 alpha Reductase Inhibitors as a potentially better alternative to Propecia(finasteride).
Phytother Res. 2016 Mar 17. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5611
Blockade of Androgen Markers Using a Novel Betasitosterol, Thioctic Acid and Carnitine-containing Compound in Prostate and Hair Follicle Cell-based Assays.
Chen L, Wang J, Mouser G, Li YC, Marcovici G
Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects approximately 70% of men and 40% of women in an age-dependent manner and is partially mediated by androgen hormones. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) similarly affects 50% of the male population, rising by 10% each decade. Finasteride inhibits 5-alpha reductase (5AR) and is used to treat both disorders, despite offering limited clinical benefits accompanied by significant adverse side effects. Building on our previous work demonstrating the efficacy of naturally derived 5AR inhibitors (such as stigmasterol and beta sitosterol), we hypothesize that targeting 5AR as well as inflammatory pathways may yield improved efficacy in AGA and BPH. Here we address these dual pathomechanisms by examining the potency of a novel composition using in vitro assays of representative cell lines for AGA (hair follicle dermal papilla cells) and BPH (LNCaP prostate cells), respectively. Exposure of cells to the novel test composition down-regulated mRNA expression profiles characteristic of both disease processes, which outperformed finasteride. Changes in mRNA expression were corroborated at the protein level as assessed by western blotting. These studies provide proof of concept that novel, naturally derived compositions simultaneously targeting 5AR and inflammatory mediators may represent a rational approach to treating AGA and BPH.
The novel test composition used in this study is a combination of plant phytosterols (beta sitosterol, and stigmasterol) for their 5AR and androgen inhibition effects, and Alpha Lipoic Acid (thiotic Acid) in combination with Acetyl-L-Carnitine for its anti-inflammation effect.
This specific combination outperformed finasteride(Propecia) in its ability to down-regulate or blockade Androgen markers in the dermal papilla associated with both AGA (male or female pattern hair loss) and BPH (Prostate Enlargement).
You also have several other alternative ways to effectively target inflammation in the dermal papilla(and other areas of the body). One of the most effective is to use an Oral combination of Resveratrol and Super BioCurcumin. The oral combination of Resveratrol and Curcumin is a patented hair growth treatment in Europe, and stimulates hair growth via an anti-inflammatory mechanism.
According to the research team at L’Oreal that developed the oral hair loss treatments, Hair Mass, and Hair Mass for Men the presence of Green Tea Extract and Taurine combined produce an anti-inflammation effect on the dermal papilla that facilitates hair growth. Not surprising since it is well established that Green Tea and Black Tea (Theaflavin) Extracts have pronounced anti-inflammation effects.
Also, the addition of 1 capsule of Astaxanthin to Palmetto Guard produces not only a drop in blood levels of DHT, but concurrently produces an anti-inflammatory effect, along with cosmetic benefits for skin.
Stimulate Hair Growth and Have Younger Skin with Astaxanthin
An easy, cost effective way to quell inflammation associated with AGA, is to topically apply low temperature processed Emu Oil, which appears to be particularly effective in stimulating regrowth.
Emu Oil Hairloss and Frontal Regrowth
To utilize the specific formulation used in this just published study, one need only combine 1 capsule of Palmetto Guard (a potent dose of phytosterols) along with Alpha Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine
There are multiple ways, detailed above, that you can implement an anti-inflammatory component into your existing regime of blocking DHT receptors or lowering DHT blood levels. Doing so will clearly produce better results than either Saw Palmetto/Beta Sitosterol or Propecia alone.