Those with male pattern baldness may increase hair growth by taking a preparation containing saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) and beta-sitosterol (a compound found in many edible plants), according to a new study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

In the new study, 19 men between the ages of 23 and 64 years with mild to moderate hair loss were given either a placebo or a supplement containing 400 mg of a standardized extract of saw palmetto and 100 mg of beta-sitosterol per day. After about five months, hair growth in 60% of the men taking the herbal combination had improved compared with their initial evaluation. In contrast, only 11% of those receiving the placebo improved.

What is Saw palmetto?

Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree that is native to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Its berries contain the powerful compound beta sitosterol, which is where its therapeutic benefits lie.

Saw palmetto is used mainly to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate gland in men. The beta sitosterol in saw palmetto acts to inhibit the growth of the prostate gland by interfering with the enzymes that facilitate this process.

Saw palmetto is a popular herbal remedy for a type of hair loss and baldness called androgenic alopecia, or male- and female-pattern baldness, and an ever increasing number of companies are marketing Saw Palmetto in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

This type of hair loss is typically the greatest at the top of the head or around the temples. Although we still don’t know exactly how it works, it’s believed that it may block an enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) from allowing the hormone testosterone from being converted to another hormone, dihydrotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone is considered a key contributing factor to the onset and progression of androgenic alopecia and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

How does it work?

The mechanism of action is thought to be that by preventing or slowing down the breakdown of testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone, one can prevent or minimize premature male pattern baldness.

Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol have been shown to block the production of DHT in men suffering from enlargement of the prostate (or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is also due to excessive amounts of DHT), but this is the first study to demonstrate that these compounds also help with hair loss—and without causing significant side effects.

The active compounds – free fatty acids and phytosterols in Saw Palmetto are thought to reduce the effects of DHT by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that contributes to androgenetic alopecia.

Comparable in efficacy to Finasteride (Proscar), but much better tolerated with little or no side effects. It blocks receptor sites on cell membranes that are required for the absorption of DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), a causative factor in alopecia.

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 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 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.

Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol have been shown to block the production of DHT in men suffering from enlargement of the prostate (or benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is also due to excessive amounts of DHT), but this is the first study to demonstrate that these compounds also help with hair loss—and without causing significant side effects.

Note: Saw palmetto will not grow back hair but can stop your hair from falling out.

Saw palmetto and beta sitosterol work better on people who have only just started losing hair, rather than those who have been bald for years who’s follicles are more likely to be dead.

Take Saw palmetto with Beta Sitosterol

Due to the fact that the main active ingredient in saw palmetto that is thought to stop hair loss is beta sitosterol which also explains the mechanisms how both substances work), it only makes sense to combine Saw palmetto with beta sitosterol . A typical serving of beta sitosterol has more active ingredient than 3000 capsules of dried saw palmetto berries…

Taking a supplement product that contains both of these active ingredients gives you a better chance of controlling your hair loss problem more effectively.

I would highly recommended the  Saw palmetto Beta Sitosterol supplement product produced by Life Extension Inc.

Saw palmetto Beta Sitosterol supplement product produced by Life Extension Inc uses a patented, ultra high pressure CO2 extraction technology that recovers the high molecular weight compounds such as naturally occurring carotenoids that are left behind by typical low pressure CO2 extractions. This state-of-the-art extraction technology insures the most desirable and complete bioactive extract profile available that most closely reflects the composition of premium, mature saw palmetto berries.

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