Serenoa repens is the medical name for the herb saw palmetto.
The deep red fruit of this small palm grows wild in warm climates such as those
found in the Southeastern United States.
The liposerolic extract of the
fruit of Saw Palmetto is the most popular herbal supplement for the promotion of
prostate health in Europe.
Research has shown that the herb Saw Palmetto has the same effects as
finasteride in treating patients with benign prostate enlargement. In fact, the
herb is very popular and common in Germany and is available as an
over-the-counter medication. There are many research and studies in Germany that
confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in treating patients with prostatic
disease.
Studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts
in a similar way that Propecia does. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body
by blocking 5 alpha-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto block receptor sites on
cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Although no studies have been
carried out on saw palmetto and its relationship to hair growth.
Studies
have been performed on the use of Saw palmetto in the treatment of benign
prostatic disease which similar to Androgenetic Alopecia and also depends on the
production of dihydrotestosterone(DHT). All of the studies that have been
performed to date show that Saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and has
shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment of benign prostate
disease.
More and more people around the globe are starting to use Saw palmetto in the
treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasma and in the treatment of Androgenetic
alopecia
One may assume from this that since Saw palmetto is an effective antiandrogen
and is used in the treatment of prostatic disease then it may also be effective
in the treatment of Androgenetic alopecia.
Some studies have shown that saw palmetto may have the same effect as the
drug finasteride in treating hair loss and prostate enlargement diseases. It has
been suggested that both hair loss and prostate disease are related to the
hormone DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) which is formed when the enzyme 5-alpha
reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone.
Finasteride works as an 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. It reduces the amount of
5-alpha reductase in our body and thereby reduces the formation of DHT, which is
the main cause for hair loss and prostatic disease. DHT is formed when 5-alpha
reductase interacts with the male hormone testosterone. DHT is a derivate of
testosterone but is many times more potent. Hair follicles that are sensitive to
DHT tend to fall off when exposed to the hormone.
Since both hair loss and prostatic disease are related to DHT, many suggest
that Saw Palmetto will also be effective in treating people with hair loss by
reducing the amount of DHT in our body and around the hair follicles. Although
there is no formal study or testing to confirm the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto
in treating hair loss, many companies are already preparing topical hair lotions
that are formulated with Saw Palmetto.
Side effects?
No significant side effects have been noted in clinical trials with this
herbal extract, except for rare headache or stomach upset if taken on an empty
stomach.
Because of possible hormonal activity, it is not recommended for
women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
How much to take? As a general guideline, a common dose for men is 320
mg. of extract per day, standardized to at least 85-95% fatty acids with a
guaranteed minimum of 0.2-0.4% sterols. ("Standardized" means you get the same
amount of active ingredients every time).
You may decide to start with a
somewhat lower dose. In men, it can be taken for six weeks before any effect is
noticed.
If improvement is noted, it is recommended that men take it
continuously. Since you're trying to reduce DHT like the men are, you could do
the same.
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