Saw palmetto extract comes from
berries of the palm tree Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) which is indigenous
to the Atlantic Southeast coast of North America. 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 relation 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 also depends on
the production of dihydrotestosterone(DHT). All of the studies that have
been performed to date show that Sae palmetto is an effective
anti-androgen and has shown conclusively to be effective in the treatment
of benign prostate disease.
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.
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
Crinagen is a topical lotion,
which has been formulated by Raztec Enterprises in New York and contains
Saw palmetto extract. Crinagen is one of the few topical lotions available
for androgenetic alopecia, which contains Saw palmetto extract.
Saw palmetto either by itself or
combined with other products such as zinc and vitamin b6 which have also
shown to reduce DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5 alpha reductase is also
available in tablet form and can be purchased from most health stores and
chemists. Saw palmetto tablets are used by many in the treatment of Benign
Prostatic Hyperplasma and more recently has been used in the treatment of
Androgenetic alopecia.
Articles about Saw Palmetto
Title:
Saw palmetto: herbal prevention for common male health concerns.
ARTICLE:
Research indicates herbals make sense; herbal medicine
Saw Palmetto
Studies
STUDY:
Comparison of finasteride (Proscar), a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, and
various commercial plant extracts in in vitro and in vivo 5 alpha
reductase inhibition.
STUDY:
The effect of Permixon on androgen receptors.
STUDY:
Lack of effects of a lyposterolic extract of Serenoa repens on plasma
levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing
hormone.
STUDY:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia -- treatment with sabal fruit extract. A
treatment study of 1,334 patients
STUDY:
Enzyme activities in tissue of human benign prostatic hyperplasia after
three months' treatment with the Sabal serrulata extract IDS 89 (Strogen)
or placebo.
STUDY:
Comparison of finasteride (Proscar) and Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the
inhibition of 5-alpha reductase in healthy male volunteers.
