More and more men are discovering the benefits of dietary supplements, specifically for hair loss.
Lemon and olive oil are two relatively new products that have been gaining popularity as a supplement for men seeking natural ways to grow hair. Viagra is one of the most famous and well-known dietary supplements made specifically for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (aka, impotence).
Which of these products is the best for men seeking to grow healthier hair? Let’s compare the pros and cons.
Lemon And Olive Oil
Lemon and olive oil both offer some pretty impressive benefits when used in cooking or at the end of a hair-care routine. Let’s run down the list of advantages first:
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Lemon juice is high in vitamin C, which greatly promotes collagen synthesis.
Collagen is one of the most important proteins our bodies produce. It forms the connective tissue in our skin, making up the dermis. The dermis is where most of our hair roots are located. So getting enough collagen into our skin (and to the roots of our hair) is really important for healthy and strong hair.
While we can’t make any bold claims about the magical properties of lemon juice, vitamin C does have some positive effects on the body. However, too much vitamin C can be harmful, and it’s best to get your daily requirements from vegetables.
Lemon juice may also improve the functioning of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is an important component of our endocrine system, which helps control our basal metabolism and the rates at which we burn calories. So having healthy thyroid function is essential for good health and a svelte figure.
Thyroid hormone regulates the growth of the hair follicles, causing them to grow at an incredible pace. If you’re looking for a way to naturally increase your follicle growth, you could try lemon juice. However, keep in mind that too much lemon juice may suppress thyroid function, so use it in moderation.
Olive Oil
Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and vitamin E. Like lemon juice, olive oil contains small amounts of nutrients that are important for our bodies, especially the fats that we eat. These fats have important structural roles in our skin and its layers. Just like collagen, they form the basis of our cell membranes and influence the activity of our cells. They also help control our cholesterol levels and have positive effects on our vision.
Like most oils, olive oil is a great source of energy. It has a high smoke point and can withstand high heat. Its low viscosity makes it ideal for use in high-speed cooking or heating large amounts of food. If you’re interested in adding more fats to your diet, you could try olive oil. It certainly does fit the bill as the next step after butter and coconut oil.
Viagra
Viagra is the active ingredient in Sildenafil citrate, a drug manufactured by Pfizer. Sildenafil citrate delays the relaxation of penile blood vessels (arterioles) so that blood can stay in the penis longer. As a man becomes sexually excited, his arteries widen, allowing more blood into the capillaries and eventually into the corpus cavernosa. The corpus cavernosa is a cavity at the base of the penis that fills with blood during an erection. When a man becomes sexually excited, blood flows into the corpus cavernosa, causing it to enlarge.
So how does this relate to hair growth? Well, during the arousal stage of sexual activity, the corpus cavernosum swells, stretching the tissue and causing blood to rush into the hair follicles. This rush of blood causes the hair to stand on end, giving the illusion of more hair. While this effect is certainly very pleasant and something to look forward to once you’re married, it can be a bit uncomfortable during sex. Some people experience headaches or dizziness as a side effect.
One important thing to note about Viagra is that it’s not suitable for use by men with heart disease or those who are already taking nitrates. Nitrates are a class of drugs commonly used to treat heart disease. They work by relaxing the walls of the blood vessels, causing them to widen.
Lemon And Olive Oil
While vitamin C and collagen synthesis and the basal metabolism of the thyroid gland may be promoted by lemons and olive oil, it’s the antioxidants present in these products that have the most beneficial effects. Antioxidants are compounds that inhibit or stop the oxidation of molecules (substances) within our bodies. Oxidation is when molecules in our bodies are damaged from interacting with other molecules and oxygen. Molecules can become oxidized in our bodies, leaving us vulnerable to disease. Antioxidants help protect our bodies by inhibiting or stopping this oxidation process.
Just like vitamin C, the polyphenols in lemons and olive oil may play a role in protecting our cells from damage. Phenols are compounds that can give products a distinctive flavor and an opportunity to resist the effects of heat and light. They also have the ability to stop the growth of cancerous cells and assist our bodies in maintaining a healthy weight. Some people also claim that lemon and olive oil help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, making them stand out among the supplements for hair loss.
Consult A Physician
While some men may be able to benefit from natural products, like lemon juice, to increase the health of their hair, it’s always better to consult with a physician to be on the safe side. As stated by the American College of Physicians (ACP), there is insufficient evidence to support the use of vitamin supplements or other nutritional products for the purpose of hair loss. However, the ACP also points out that there may be exceptions for people with certain nutritional deficiencies or for men with high stress levels who are not able to maintain adequate nutrition due to poor appetite. If you’re really concerned about the health of your hair, it’s always best to follow the advice of experts even if it means taking a step back for a while.