Avacor

Written by: Tina Laramie

A very interesting article was published in Men's Health in September 2002. The author, Bill Gifford, inquires into Avacor and tries to decide if it is a worthwhile product that will do as it claims. He found that the ingredients listed on the bottles are names that are hard to decipher and some are long names for simple ingredients. The Berkeley Wellness newsletter http://www.berkeleywellness.com/html/ds/dsAvacor.php stated "It's hard to figure out exactly what is in Avacor since the label uses obscure names to hide common herbs."

The FDA in a warning letter to Global Visions Products, Inc. dated April 3, 2003 it states "The three individual component products of the Avacor Hair Care System are misbranded in violation of the Act because their labeling fails to list the active ingredients as required by section 502(e)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act." The FDA also classifies this product as a drug and must follow the guidelines set forth for a drug. It is supposed to treat a disease, male and female pattern baldness, thus must adhere to the drug laws. At the time of my research I could not find whether the company had responded and fixed the problem or not. All the information I found came from 2002 to 2003.

One ingredient that is in Avacor Nutricap DHT Blocker Capsules is Saw Palmetto. It is an ingredient that may help against baldness. It may effect DHT production. DHT (Di-Hydro-Testosterone), a byproduct of testosterone, can be found within the hair follicle and also at the root of the hair shaft. Accumulation of DHT in the hair follicles is a cause of male and female pattern baldness. There are others. DHT will cause the hair follicle to shrink in size thus restricting blood flow and causing the hair shaft to grow shorter, thinner and weaker. The Avacor Nutricap DHT Blocker Capsules are supposed to block the effects of DHT on the hair follicles allowing hair to grow again.

Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Avacor Physicians Topical Formula. The Topical Formula is a lotion that is applied directly to the scalp. This is an FDA approved drug for baldness. Minoxidil dilates blood vessels, and was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. This may stimulate the hair follicle into growing new hair that tends to be more like baby hair, finer and lighter.