Possible New Hair Loss Cure

"Triarco”, a Bio-Tech company based in New Jersey, released some very intriguing results of a pilot study for their patented prostate product Alphastat®, which inhibits 5-alpha reductase. The three-month study on male patients ages 55-68 reported a 40% decrease in blood levels of DHT, which has some obvious implications for treating hair loss.

      In addition to improved Urogenital symptoms, there were, unlike Proscar and Avodart, reports of increased, not decreaesd sexual function.

      As you know, pharmaceutical 5 alpha reductase inhibitors prevent balding and promote hair growth by lowering serum DHT. The documented side effects of pharmaceutical 5 alpha reductase inhibitors include sexual dysfunction, reduced libido, and depression. There were evidently no reports of any negative side effects in this study.

      Triarco stated “We are very pleased with the results of this clinical study because it confirms the results of the pre-clinical studies and is, to our knowledge, the first natural product shown to lower PSA and serum DHT levels in humans."

      If you follow our updates you may already know that consumption of Soy Isoflavones, particularly with Black and Green Tea Extracts, lowers serum DHT as well.

      In addition to its effects on reducing serum DHT, Alphastat also raises testosterone, and lowers estradiol. Alphastat is a combination of the caratenoid Astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto Extract.


Study Summation

      The investigators gave 40 healthy male subjects between the ages 40 and 70, 800 mg or 2g of Alphastat, for two weeks. Below you can evaluate the effect of both dosages on the concentration of serum testosterone in the blood of the test subjects.


More importantly for hair growth, both dosages rapidly reduced serum DHT, as noted below.


Estradiol level was reduced as well, with the smaller dose being slightly more effective than the larger dose (see below).

The study appears to be scientifically valid, with a sufficient sample size of 42 males, measurable blood tests, and sound statistical methodology. It was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. This means that at least two independent researchers have reviewed the article and deemed it to be fit for publication



Comment

      There is no evidence suggesting Saw Palmetto per se, has any effect whatsoever on Testosterone levels or serum DHT levels (Saw Palmetto *does* moderately inhibit DHT binding to receptors). The desirable effects on hormone blood levels produced in this study are due to Astaxanthin.

      Astaxanthin is also documented to reduce bodyfat, increase stamina, and maintain glycogen stores in animal models.


Dissecting Alphastat Ingredients

Alphastat® is comprised of 200 mg of a “patented complex” of Saw Palmetto Extract extract and Haematococcus pluvialis algae extract, providing free fatty acids and Astaxanthin.

      Saw Palmetto Extract is typically used at about 300 mg, so it is likely that most of this complex is Saw Palmetto Extract.

      Astaxanthin is a relatively expensive supplement and is generally available in 2 to 4 mg capsules.

      Given the listed ingredients, this “patented complex” is likely about 200 mg Saw Palmetto Extract, and about 2-4 mg Astaxanthin.

      Alphastat also includes 15 mg of zinc monomethionine (OptiZinc) which is a known inhibitor of aromatase.


Alphastat at a higher dose for a fraction of the price

      By utilizing three separate products: “Super Saw Palmetto Extract”, “Super Zeaxanthin with Lutein, Meso-Zeaxanthin Plus Astaxanthin and C3G” and OptiZinc , one can have the benefits of Alphastat for a fraction of the cost, with larger amounts of each ingredient.

      Super Zeaxanthin with Lutein, Meso-Zeaxanthin Plus Astaxanthin and C3G is a combination of caratenoids that in addition to providing 6 mg of Astaxanthin, provides 38 mg of Lutein, 3.75 mg of Meso-Zeaxanthin, and 2.2 mg of C3G ( European) Black Currant Extract. These additional ingredients, in combination with Astaxanthin, prevent against age related vision loss, macular degeneration, and function as an internal UV protectant to damage to skin caused by ultra-violet light, while simultaneously promoting tanning. In addition to raising testosterone, lowering DHT, and estrogen, it markedly reduces the production of wrinkle- and sag-inducing skin enzymes.

      Both "Super Saw Palmetto” and the multi-component “Ultra Natural Prostate Formula” are rich in bioactive, high-molecular weight compounds including beta-sitosterol, which has been shown to interfere with peripheral DHT receptor binding activity.

      DeepExtract™ used in both Super Saw Palmetto and the Ultra Natural Prostate Formula, is a patented, ultra-high pressure CO2 technology engineered to recover far greater amounts of bioactive, high-molecular weight fatty acids from the saw palmetto berry during the extraction process. The result is a superior formula containing key ingredients in higher concentrations than other commercially available extracts. DeepExtract™ ensures the most desirable and complete bioactive extract profile available.


Optizinc is the most bio-available form of Zinc. Zinc has been used as a standalone treatment for acne, which like balding, is an androgen mediated disorder. Like Astaxanthin, it also has an aromatase inhibiting property as well.    

      By using Alphastat, or by combining the three aforementioned ingredients, one can effectively lower DHT, inhibit its binding to receptors, raise testosterone and reduce estradiol, which has significantly positive implications for prostate health, skin aging, vision protection, and of course, hair loss.


New Recommended Treatment Compound:    

Super Zeaxanthin with Lutein, Meso-Zeaxanthin Plus Astaxanthin and C3G