Saw Palmetto and Hair Loss

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>>> SAW PALMETTO AND HAIR LOSS

Androgens must be present for baldness to occur

For centuries, it has been observed that the presence of androgens was necessary for Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA or Pattern Hair Loss) to express itself. In 400 BC Hippocrates observed that eunuchs (castrated males) did not become bald. Aristotle noticed this also. Through out history it was also observed that the Italian Castrati (boys that castrated in order to train them as adult soprano singers, a practice which was ended by Pope Leo XIII in 1878) never became bald. Researchers knew that AGA had to be associated with the male hormone testosterone. It comes as no surprise that current research shows that the balding scalp contains miniaturized hair follicles and increased amounts of DHT compared to a hairy scalp. This suggests that it is the excess presence of dihydrotestosterone in the scalp tissue that causes AGA in those patients genetically predisposed.

By inhibiting the breakdown of testosterone to DHT, hair loss can be prevented or at least kept to a minimum.

Treatments for Androgenetic Alopecia

5 Alpha Reductase inhibitors

Saw Palmetto and drugs in this class work by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha reductase, which limits the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Finasteride (propecia) is the first drug in this class to undergo extensive clinical trials in men. Finasteride has selective activity against 5 alpha reductase. As a result, serum and follicular DHT levels are significantly reduced.

Saw Palmetto extract

Clinical studies have shown that saw palmetto is an effective anti-androgen. It acts in a similar way to propecia. Firstly it lowers levels of DHT in the body by blocking 5 alpa-reductase. Secondly Saw Palmetto blocks receptors sites on cell membranes required for cells to absorb DHT. Although no studies have been carried out on saw palmetto and its relation to hair growth, studies have been performed on the use of Saw Palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic disease, which is similar to androgenetic alopecia in that it also depends on the production of DHT or dihydrotestosterone. 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 prostatic disease.

One may assume from this that since Saw Palmetto is an effective anti-androgen and is used in the treatment of prostatic disease then it may also be effective in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

Hair Vitamins

Some vitamins have been shown to inhibit the activity of 5 alpha reductase and subsequent production of DHT. These vitamins therefore may be of great benefit in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia or preventing baldness. There have been studies in which zinc is shown to inhibit 5 alpha reductase activity and it has therefore been concluded that zinc is beneficial in disease and disorders related to an excess in DHT. There has also been studies which have show that vitamin B6, Zinc and azelaic combined together even in low concentrations resulted in a 90% inhibition of 5 alpha reductase activity.

Recommendations

Saw Palmetto has been proven safe to use. It has no known drug interactions and is well tolerated by most people. Saw Palmetto can be taken with zinc, vitamin b6, and azelaic acid for a synergistic effect.

Conclusion

Normal healthy hair grows about ½ inch per month. It may take several months before any effects are noticed. Where the area is completely bald, hair may not grow, if the follicles are dead. It takes years for the hair to thin, so one must assume that it will take time to also reverse the process. Saw Palmetto extract is proven to be an effective anti-androgen and therefore an excellent natural way to stop hair loss.

Saw Palmetto extract is one of the ingredients in our Hair Regain and Hair Renew topical treatments and therapeutic shampoos.

for Saw Palmetto capsules & more visit Ezy-Shop

References:
Chen, W., Zouboulis, Ch.C., & Orfanos, E.E. 1996) the 5-reductase system and its inhibitors. Dermatology, 193, 177-184. Choudry, R., Hodgins, M.B., Van der Kwast, T.H., Brinkmann, A.O., & Boersma, W.J.A. (1992) localization of androgen receptors in human skin by immunohistochemistry: implications for the hormonal regulation of hair growth, sebaceous glands and sweat glens. Journal of Endocrinology, 133 467-475. Dallob, A.L., Sadick, N.S., Unger, W., Lipert, S., Geissler, L.A., Gregoire, S.L., Nguyen, H.H., Moore, E.C., & Tanaka, W.K. (1994) The effect of finasteride, a 5-reductase inhibitor, on scalp skin testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in patients with male pattern baldness. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 79(3), 703-706. Sawaya, M.E., & Price, V.H. (1997). Different levels of 5 alpha reductase type I & II, aromatase, and androgen receptors in hair follicles of women and men with androgenetic alopecia. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 10(3), 296-300.