Saw Palmetto - an effective DHT blocker

Hair loss is a growing trend worldwide, and preventing it is not simple. Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common alopecia, is a problem in men, mainly over 40, but more and more women are also being affected. Female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) shows diffuse hair thinning over the central scalp, while the frontal hairline is usually retained.

In this article we will discuss:

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto and 5a-reductase

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride

How to Use Saw Palmetto for Hair Growth

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a tropical palm-like small plant mostly found in North America but especially in areas like Florida and Georgia. Extract derived from its berries is highly rich in essential fatty acids. In the past it was commonly consumed by Native Americans as a food and tonic for various ailments.

Saw Palmetto and 5a-reductase

Essential fatty acids are required for the proper function of every cell in the body, including properly nourishing hair, skin and nails so that they can grow. They are called essential because they must be obtained through the diet as the body does not make them naturally.

Saw Palmetto contains essential fatty acids that are good for nourishing hair but besides nourishing hair what else does Saw Palmetto do? Certain enzymes found in Saw Palmetto are actually able inhibit or reduce the activity of a certain hormone called 5a-reductase. 5a-reductase converts testosterone to the most potent androgen – 5α-dihydrotestosterone or DHT for short. Basically when 5a-reductase starts converting too much DHT it is bad for your body. Specifically the prostate and hair are affected by too much DHT in the body. Men can develop prostate cancer and both men and women can lose their hair.

It is scientifically proven and well known that excessive levels of DHT is the root cause of hair loss in adult men and some women. DHT causes hair loss by attaching to hair follicles and shortening their growth phase. Over time, DHT also causes hairs to become progressively weaker and finer until they simply stop growing altogether, becoming dormant or dead follicles.

The good news is that Saw Palmetto has actually been proven to inhibit or reduce the activity of 5a-reductase as we will see in the following subheading.

Saw Palmetto vs Finasteride

Finasteride is a prescribed drug in North America to treat prostate disease and hair loss. This is because Finasteride inhibits or blocks the same enzyme mentioned above called 5a-reductase that affects prostate health and hair growth. In Europe Saw Palmetto for many years has been widely accepted as a very effective herbal treatment to reduce 5a-reductase 

According to studies, saw palmetto’s extracts work to inhibit DHT in the scalp thus helping control hair loss and reviving hair follicles. In this way, hair follicles are strengthened, the scalp is relieved of DHT irritation and the hair itself improves in body and shine.

In a 2016 study Saw Palmetto extract was compared with Finasteride in it's ability to inhibit 5a-reductase. At certain concentrations Saw Palmetto extract was actually able to our perform Finasteride. For example 10 micrograms per ml inhibited 5a-reductase by 91%. This is incredible since the highest concentration of Finasteride had only 82 % inhibition. Please see the graph comparing the 2 below.

source

How to Use Saw Palmetto for Hair Growth

External application of saw palmetto oil is easily absorbed by the skin. Hence massaging the scalp with the oil and leaving it on for at least an hour (or overnight) aids in the best results due to better absorption. While internally ingesting saw palmetto in the form of capsules is beneficial for your health in a systemic manner, topical application delivers the nutrients directly to the roots, allowing saturation exactly where needed. 

HAIRMETTO® Topical Oil use only CO2 Extracted saw palmetto extract with guaranteed 85-95% fatty acids. Anything less will not deliver the results. Here's Why: Saw Palmetto - Not all are created equal

Information contained on this website has not been evaluated by any medical body such as the Food & Drug Administration. All information is for educational purposes only. We do not aim to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. You must consult a medical professional before acting on any content on this website.