Gain Muscle without Hurting Hair - NO creatine or DHEA

Hey Renky,

I do agree that the evidence for creatine affecting hair is weak evidence, but we can't throw out the possibility. The main study people throw around to support creatine boosting DHT does look pretty convincing at first until you realize that there is absolutely nothing reported as to what the subjects are doing outside of the study. They didn't even report whether they kept the serum testing constant at the same time of day, or what time of day that was. It just wasn't very well controlled, and a weak correlation at best.

That said, it is always possible, and if you feel that it is causing you problems drop it. It isn't a necessary bodybuilding supplement. In my opinion, its primary benefit is not directly to muscle building, but indirectly by supporting your training. It really does help endurance, and its effects are noticeable. The mass it adds is almost completely from super-hydrating the muscle cell.

And as far as DHEA goes, thats difficult. You can't control what happens with DHEA once its ingested, and if your aromatase levels are out of whack, it could produce a rise in testosterone that is immediately aromatized. If you feel your T levels are low, I'd actually see an endo and find out why. If its a gonadotropic issue, thats completely different than hypogonadism and requires different treatment.

As far as boosting T, I think altering your sleep, fat intake, and training are the best ways to boost T levels. I completely agree with the Cissus Q. I think that product has a lot of promise. I'm also turned onto D-Aspartic acid at the moment, but am awaiting trying it. I know you already train heavy, so make sure your sleep is perfect. Sleep from 10-6am in total darkness with no EMF: shut off Wifi. No television or computer preferably within an hour of sleep. Right before bed take this combo: 1 raw whole egg, cod liver oil, 1/2 tsp clarified butter, vitamin D, zinc. See how that treats you.

I can deffinetly attest to more hair loss while being on creatine, though it is great for packing on size and strength, the bloatiness and hairloss it gives u far outweigh the benefits. I have tried quite a few pro hormones over the years and the only one that has really helped me stay lean while gaining muscle without hairloss is BSN's Powerful. At least I think, I still shed but nothing like what I experience on any other bodybuilding supplements. Ive also switched to Vegan protein (Vega One) as I have read far too many negative aspects to whey and soy, I believe this is also helping me stay lean while packing on size. The only people I know who are beasts in the gym and NW 0-1 are guys that are using quality steroids, I'm a little scared to go that route though. The Powerful also puts me to sleep fast and gives me some great intense dreams, its the only time I do dream is when I take it

I have recently started a rotation of cardio & strength workouts 5-6 times a week & a controlled healthy diet. This is my first step towards sorting my hair out.

I take a low carb whey protein shake with creatine on workout days & i find this very rejuvenating. The protein drink comes with loads of additional vits & minerals & aminos which are all help me fee lot better at my middle age. I would hate to have to drop the drink although not so fussed about the creatine as its optional.

At the moment i'm using Niz shampoo twice a week to help with DHT control & hope to change this to something kinder like organic Avalon Biotin shampoo that has Saw Palmetto (known to block DHT). I'm planning to add saw palmetto extract to my supplement regimen as well.

Has anyone thought about the idea of supplementing the diet with Saw Palmetto to counter any negative affects from fitness supplements ?

Agreed on the Creatine! It may not effect some, but I am certain it was effecting me. I stopped the Creatine and believe that my hair is already starting to improve. I am sticking with Glutamine, Beta Alanine and am trying Cissus this week. I dropped the Leucine for the time being. I have never taken any steroids. Only thing that I took which was close was Andro, but that was over a decade ago. Didn't do anything for me anyway. As I have aged a little since then and have become a little more savvy about the body and feel that steroids and pro-hormones are just not worth it for me. I think the people that take these may look super big, super fast, but step forward in time 20 years and the issues come out from taking that stuff. I know of a few famous Bodybuilders now in their later years who have had issues with their health where medical research is indicating that performance enhancement may be the cause. This is all my opinion though. After coming to this site and being educated some more, I have grown to love getting back to basics and natural with food and diet. My body sure does appreciate it. I think back to the MacDonalds years and shudder...

I will be interested to see how the cissus goes. I read a stack of reviews on it last night. Very impressive it seems. I have considered adding DHEA (maybe 5mg), but have been scared of doing that for some reason.

Other than that, I just keep lifting heavy and eating well.

Hey Renky,

Any reason you are dropping the leucine? I have always loved the results of taking BCAAs during and after a workout. Leucine is great for stimulating that post workout insulin spike.

Renky wrote:Agreed on the Creatine! It may not effect some, but I am certain it was effecting me. I stopped the Creatine and believe that my hair is already starting to improve. I am sticking with Glutamine, Beta Alanine and am trying Cissus this week. I dropped the Leucine for the time being. I have never taken any steroids. Only thing that I took which was close was Andro, but that was over a decade ago. Didn't do anything for me anyway. As I have aged a little since then and have become a little more savvy about the body and feel that steroids and pro-hormones are just not worth it for me. I think the people that take these may look super big, super fast, but step forward in time 20 years and the issues come out from taking that stuff. I know of a few famous Bodybuilders now in their later years who have had issues with their health where medical research is indicating that performance enhancement may be the cause. This is all my opinion though. After coming to this site and being educated some more, I have grown to love getting back to basics and natural with food and diet. My body sure does appreciate it. I think back to the MacDonalds years and shudder...

I will be interested to see how the cissus goes. I read a stack of reviews on it last night. Very impressive it seems. I have considered adding DHEA (maybe 5mg), but have been scared of doing that for some reason.

Other than that, I just keep lifting heavy and eating well.

Seems we are in the same age point & mentality.
Please let me know how you get along with cissus as i may bin the creatine to be safe & join you on that.

BTW whats your opinion on using Saw Palmetto supplement for countering DHT issues ?

Anthony - I am not sure about the Leucine... Ergo-Log show tests it increases muscle mass in older people with high doses. I am not sure if it has done a lot for me? I will finish the bottle I have now and see if I notice anything with not taking it.

Mak - I will do about the Cissus. There are a lot of good reviews on it and I cannot tell if there are any negatives at this stage. The Saw Palmetto... CS says it is not worth taking, so I dropped that long ago.

I follow the Max OT system of training by AST Sports Science. I also follow their nutrient timing factor. I think their whole approach works. I have only trained this way really, except for when I was a young teenager doing the 3 Sets of 10-12 Reps. I overtrained a lot back then. With Max OT, you lift HEAVY and train each body part once a week. The rest is diet, supplements and rest. Since being on the IH regimen and getting better rest, my results have accelerated well. My arms still lag a bit, so I am trying to add another inch to those and I think I will be set with my physique. Once I reach my goal size and weight, I will just look after myself and maintain.