Saw Palmetto May Stop Male Pattern Baldness
December 4, 2009
Saw Palmetto is a popular botanical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate. However, the tiny fruit has been gaining a new follower: men who want to stop or reduce hair loss.
The History of Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto has existed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. It has been known to be used by both North and South American Indians, as well as Aborigines. Uses were wide and varied and included appetite stimulation, illness treatment, painful menstruation, and even as a treatment for infertility.
In fact, the Saw Palmetto fruit was so highly regarded that it was included in the publication of the King’s American Dispensatory in 1854. Even then, Saw Palmetto was advocated for the use of treating coughs and laryngitis, improve digestion, and to reduce hypertrophy in the prostate.
The Link between Saw Palmetto and Your Hairline
How does all this translate into stopping hair loss? It appears that the Saw Palmetto fruit contains an agent that works against the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the known hormone that is involved with pattern baldness.
DHT is converted from testosterone and weakens and shrinks the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out. However, an agent that can block DHT production can prevent shrinkage and keep hair growing full. Saw Palmetto has been found to be an effective DHT blocker.
Saw Palmetto has been found to work similarly to topical treatments, such as Rogaine which contains minoxidil, and oral finasteride treatments such as Propecia. These treatments inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT. However, these treatments also have been known to have undesirable side effects, such as faster heart rate, headaches, impotence, and decreased libido.
In contrast, side effects for Saw Palmetto are minimal and are mainly gastrointestinal. These effects can be minimized by eating food along with the Saw Palmetto extract.
However, Saw Palmetto contains a chemical that is similar to cholesterol. Previous sufferers of heart attacks and those with heart disease are not recommended to take the Saw Palmetto extract.
If you suffer from male pattern baldness, consider the Saw Palmetto fruit extract as a possible treatment. It is prominently grown in the United States, but is available in other countries as well.
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