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SAW PALMETTO: NATURE’S PROSTATE HEALER: HERBAL HAIR-RAISER?

Thus far, I have mentioned that the conversion of testosterone to DHT occurs by an enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. Now it's time to explain this matter in more detail. There are two types of enzymes that convert testosterone to DHT: 5-alpha reductase type 1 and 5-alpha reductase type 2. The 5-alpha reductase type 2 enzyme is found more prominently in prostate tissue, and also in other parts of the genitourinary system such as the epididymis and seminal vesicles. The 5-alpha reductase type 1 enzyme is found more prominently in skin and liver. Proscar (finasteride) predominantly inhibits mostly the type 2 enzyme, while extracts from SP are reported in one study to inhibit both. However, the claim of SP blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT has not yet been proven. There is conflicting information on this matter. There is more convincing evidence, though, that SP may inhibit the action of DHT.

Even though finasteride (Proscar) is thought to primarily inhibit the type 2 enzyme, a study has shown that it can grow hair in men. Researchers at the University of California in San Francisco participated in an international, multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of more than 1,500 men younger than 45 who had mild to moderate male-pattern baldness. Half of the men took 1 mg a day of finasteride, while the other half took a placebo. When finasteride is given to patients with BPH, the usual dosage is 5 mg.

At the end of the study, photographs were taken of the men, and roughly half of them on the medicine showed significant hair growth compared to only 7% of those who took the placebo. The other half of the men on finasteride did not show any continued loss of hair.

One concludes from these results, that finasteride will probably become more popular. What's needed now is an evaluation of SP in hair growth. Could SP, since it has some androgenic blockade in the prostate gland, offer a similar promise in blocking androgens in scalp?

We don't know, but there are some individuals who think they have noticed results. The following reports were posted on the internet in the newsgroup alt.baldspot:

I take 320 mg a day, of the standardized saw palmetto and have had great results. A year ago I tried minoxidil alone with no results and now using minoxidil along with saw palmetto it is coming in great. My hairline has moved forward a bit and the spot on top is filled in nicely. There's more to go.

When I started taking SP almost 4 months ago, 1 was taking pure SP extract with no additions like Pygeum or pumpkin seeds or any of that stuff; and I was taking over 2,000 mg per day (four 585 mg capsules). After I noticed that it started working for me (in about a month), I began experimenting with combination supplements that contained both Pygeum and SP, and I also decreased the dosage a little to under 1,000 mg a day, thinking that the combos should be more potent. The recommended dose for prostate patients is around 300 mg so I figured that 2,000 mg was a bit excessive. After being on combos for 3 or 4 weeks, my hair started to get really weak again, like before I started the treatment. I couldn't brush it right and I started shedding normally again (the way I had before I had taken anything). This worried me, so I went back and got the same brand of SP extract that I had started with (585 mg) and returned to my original dosage. Within 2 weeks I could brush my hair normally again and after 3 weeks the shedding stopped.

Other reports posted indicated no benefit from SP in terms of hair growth.

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