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Oct 24, 2018 · Though saw palmetto seems to be generally safe for women, definitely discuss it with your healthcare provider before taking it. It’s also worth mentioning that if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should avoid using saw palmetto because we don’t know what kind of risks it might pose to a developing fetus.
Mar 28, 2024 · Some small clinical studies have shown that while saw palmetto isn’t as effective as Finasteride, it can reduce hair loss and increase hair density in patients with male pattern baldness. However, only very few saw palmetto clinical trials included female participants.
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Can saw palmetto stop hair loss?
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- Overview
- Saw palmetto and hair loss
- The different forms of saw palmetto
- Side effects and interactions
- Outlook
Saw palmetto may help with hair loss, but research on its effectiveness is limited.
Hair loss in both men and women is called androgenetic alopecia, and it’s common as everyone ages. It’s caused by the hormone testosterone, and its conversion into a molecule called DHT. This alteration causes hair follicles to shrink, resulting in hair loss. Men have more testosterone than women do, so balding is more common in men.
There are many treatments for hair loss. In recent years, hair pieces and hair extensions have gained popularity. Topical medications and oral drugs are other popular methods people use to treat thinning hair. Surgical procedures such hair plugs also work well. But medications can have side effects and surgery can be expensive.
Saw palmetto is an alternative remedy used to treat hair loss. It’s a plant with small berries that has been used by Native Americans as medicine and food for hundreds of years. There’s evidence that this herbal remedy may treat an enlarged prostate. It also has been used to treat:
•hair loss
•bladder infections
•prostate cancer
•decreased sex drive
Saw palmetto comes in several different forms, including:
•whole dried berries
•tablets
•liquid extracts
•powdered capsules
Tablets and capsules are the easiest to find and are the only forms that have been examined by researchers. Tea made from the dried berries of saw palmetto is unlikely to be effective because the active compounds aren’t water soluble.
Saw palmetto generally is considered to be safe, but it’s not recommended for children, or pregnant and breastfeeding women. Rare side effects include mild headaches and stomach pains. Stomach irritation can be avoided by taking the extract with food.
Saw palmetto may thin your blood and can cause excessive bleeding during surgery. Always tell your doctor all of the supplements you’re taking before beginning any new type of treatment and before surgery.
Interactions may occur between saw palmetto and some other medications. Because it’s been shown to thin blood, saw palmetto should never be taken simultaneously with other blood thinners. In particular, it shouldn’t be taken with aspirin and prescriptions such as warfarin.
Saw palmetto works in a similar manner as the medication finasteride, which is used to treat hair loss and an enlarged prostate. You should not take them together, unless directed by your doctor. Saw palmetto may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives because it interacts with hormones.
Despite limited research, saw palmetto has been used for years to cure many things, including hair loss. It works in a similar way to some hair loss prevention medications. As with all supplements, be sure to talk to your doctor first before taking any. Also, stop taking them if you notice any severe side effects.
- Mary Ellen Ellis
Saw palmetto may help with hair loss by lowering the levels of DHT, a hormone known to cause hair thinning. Some studies show that saw palmetto can improve hair density and slow down shedding, but results vary. This natural remedy comes in several forms like pills, extracts, and oils.
- Large Calorie Deficits. When we look at the same study from above, the results showed seven participants lost more than 25% of their initial body weight.
- Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies. One study observed vitamin deficiency and its relation to hair health. The authors found that a lack of amino acids and micronutrients such as zinc were responsible for hair thinning in the participants[*].
- Stress Plays a Large Role. Stress is one of the main culprits behind hair loss, and when your body undergoes major dietary transitions, stress is at an all-time high.
- Lack of Biotin. Biotin, also known as vitamin H, helps your body convert food into energy. One studied performed on mice found that a low carb, high fat regimen caused biotin deficiency.
Mar 23, 2021 · It’s believed the plant contains enzymes which block testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), two hormones commonly associated with thinning strands when their levels get high. In one study, participants who took it as a supplement had a “highly positive response” with 60 percent reporting improved hair growth.
Apr 9, 2020 · #5. Saw Palmetto. Research shows that saw palmetto extract helps keep testosterone levels balanced, which can promote hair growth. One study found that men and women who applied saw palmetto extract lotion topically to their heads in the form of shampoo for three months had a 35 percent increase in hair density.
