Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

Saw palmetto, otherwise known as Serenoa repens is a small palm-like plant producing red fruit, which grows naturally in warm climates such as that of the South-eastern United States. The extract of saw palmetto has been used in traditional medicine in various parts of the world for hundreds of years, as least as far back as the Mayans.

Saw palmetto was found to help combat benign prostate hypertrophy where the prostate gland enlarges gradually in older men.The main mechanism for this effect seems to be the ability to block the production of DHT (dihydrotestosterone) and it was discovered that this blocking of DHT could be useful in treating hair loss problems, since most hair loss is due to the action of DHT in hair follicles that are genetically sensitive. The action of DHT on the hair follicle interferes with the normal uptake of nutrients causing the follicle to shrink, hence forming thin fragile hairs, and eventually, no hairs at all. By blocking the action of DHT the hair loss process can be slowed, or even arrested.

The way saw palmetto works to block DHT is similar to that of the drug finasteride, in that it reduces the amount of 5-alpha-reductase which is the enzyme mainly responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. Other proposals for mechanism of action include interfering with DHT binding to androgen receptors in the hair follicle, or acting as a phytoestrogen.

There are few reported side effects or allergic reaction associated with the use of saw palmetto and it is generally well tolerated The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, and mostly these can be reduced or avoided by taking the extract with food. This lack of side effects may be a significant advantage for hair loss treatment by avoiding some quite undesirable side effects of drugs such as finasteride, (Proscar, Propecia). These drugs can have a significant affect on sex hormones causing a loss of libido, impotence, breast tenderness or enlargement, rash, or testicular pain. These are not the kind of risks worth taking perhaps, for the sake of restoring one’s hair.

Saw palmetto extract also contains phyto-systosterols which seems to add to the benefit. A fairly recent study of 19 men between the ages of 23 and 64 with mild to moderate hair loss were given either a placebo or a supplement containing 400mg of saw palmetto extract and 100mg of beta-sistosterol for five months. Hair growth improved in 60% of the men taking the herbal supplement, whilst only 11% of men taking the placebo (non-active), showed any improvement.

Although this was only a small study these findings are encouraging for the very many men that suffer with male pattern baldness. This herbal approach may offer a relatively safe alternative for those who want to take a natural approach to treat this condition. Saw palmetto should not however be used by women of childbearing age as it has not been proven to be safe during pregnancy and lactation.

Given the safety of saw palmetto, it would seem reasonable to recommend it as a first line of treatment to consider for mild to moderate male pattern baldness.