The Truth About Saw Palmetto For Hair Loss

The Truth About Saw Palmetto For Hair Loss
by Robert D Hawkins

Saw palmetto was first used by Native Americans to treat stomachache and
dysentery. Today it is considered by most natural health advocates an effective way
to treat prostate disease and improve urinary flow without affecting prostate size. It
is also one of the only herbs thought to be effective against male pattern baldness.
This popular herb is used in both France and Germany to treat prostate disorders,
and is widely available in most countries.

Saw palmetto for hair loss - Androgenetic alopecia (MPB)

Saw palmetto for hair loss is primarily used to treat adrogenetic alopecia (male
pattern baldness) in men. Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of balding
accounting for well over half of all instances of hair loss and is a genetically
predisposed condition involving three androgen hormones; testosterone,
androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). For those men genetically
susceptible to the condition DHT seems to be the primary androgen hormone at
work.

Over several hair cycles DHT causes hair to become finer and shorter. It also
interrupts the growth phase and accelerates the number of hairs that enter the
resting phase.

What makes male pattern baldness such a concern is that it is a progressive
condition that unless successfully treated will in fact lead to balding over time, with
hair loss beginning at the forehead or on the top of the head toward the back. Some
men lose only a small amount of hair and have a receding hair line or a small bald
spot in the back. Others whose balding began at an early age are not so lucky and
will tend to lose all the hair on the top of the head but retain hair on the sides and
back of the scalp.

Saw palmetto for hair loss - Does it work?

There is good evidence to suggest that it does. The mechanism involves blocking the
enzyme responsible for producing DHT.

Saw palmetto is one of the few natural substances that have been approved by the
FDA for use in hair loss programs.

Saw palmetto for hair loss - Are there any side effects?

While saw palmetto is generally considered safe there have been reports of mild
stomach pain, bad breath, constipation and nausea. At least two case reports have
linked saw palmetto with severe bleeding. Individual who are taking blood thinners
should talk with their doctors before taking this herb. The safety of saw palmetto for
people with kidney or liver disease has not been established.

In summary, saw palmetto for hair loss is not for everyone. But for those who are
able to use this herb it could prove to be a valuable tool especially when used in
combination with other ingredients know to stimulate hair growth. There are
currently a number of affordable containing saw palmetto
which have shown to be effective in slowing and possibly reversing androgenetic
alopecia and are treatment options worth considering.

About The Author

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic advocate of alternative natural health products and
supplements with over 10 years experience. To learn more about natural remedies
for better health visit .

Finding the truth about saw palmetto
for hair loss is filled with a number of
twists and turns. It is also
complicated by the number of
boisterous advocates of hair
regrowth products who want you to
believe that taking a couple of saw
palmetto tablets every day will make
your hair immediately start to grow
like crazy. In this article titled "The
Truth About Saw Palmetto for Hair
Loss" we first learn more about the
herb itself and then attempt to
separate fact from fiction as it applies
to hair loss (balding).

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.