The effectiveness of saw palmetto on hair loss

Whether it occurs in men or women, excessive hair loss can be a source of insecurity or stress for those affected. While its origin can be linked to many factors, in the majority of cases, it is a hormonal imbalance.
In the latter case, saw palmetto appears to be particularly effective in rebalancing the hormonal mechanisms linked to hair loss.

We have also included this ingredient in our “Vegetable Biotin” Hair complex, and we present its main benefits and properties to you here.

The origin of the Saw Palmetto

The Dwarf Palm (Serena Repens ), also called "Saw palmetto," is a small palm tree originally native to the Southeastern United States. It is now also found in many Mediterranean gardens. It owes its name to its size (about 2.5 meters) and is characterized by its fan-shaped leaves.
This palm tree has the particularity of producing fruits rich in oil . It is in this oil that its active ingredients have been identified. It seems that the Indians of Florida already consumed its berries for their stimulating properties.

Saw palmetto oil mainly contains fatty acids , fatty acid esters and phytosterols. This is why it is important to use extracts with a guaranteed lipid content.

The known benefits of Saw Palmetto on hair

Excessive hair loss (androgenic alopecia) is largely due to hormonal mechanisms.
These hormonal variations involve Testosterone (known as the male hormone, although it is also found in smaller quantities in women) and particularly one of its derivatives: dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

It is the excess of DHT which, over time, reduces the number and vigor of hair follicles and induces hair loss .

The central role of the male hormone in increasing the natural mechanism of hair loss obviously explains why baldness is a phenomenon observed with much more frequency and intensity in men. But age or occasional hormonal changes (especially postpartum) can also induce periods of fairly intense hair loss in women.

The mechanism of action of saw palmetto on hair loss

The mechanism of action of Saw Palmetto would be the following: the transformation of Testosterone into DHT is done under the action of enzymes (5 a Reductase) and it seems that the liposoluble active ingredients of Saw Palmetto have an inhibitory effect on these enzymes.

The transformation of Testosterone into DHT then becomes less effective in their presence, which tends to reduce hair loss.

Promising results on hair loss

Regarding its effectiveness on hair loss, it is not yet possible to be 100% categorical.

From a scientific point of view, there are encouraging results to seriously advance this hypothesis.
Evidence of its effectiveness on hair loss in women follows a publication on this subject (Dr Rodney, Skin & Cancer Institute Melbourne Australia).

However, more trials and follow-up are needed to confirm this without reservation. The goal will be to better identify the mechanism(s) of action and the molecules involved in the effectiveness of Saw Palmetto in limiting hair loss.

An effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Saw palmetto's use is not limited to hair loss . Its clinical effectiveness has already been tested on various physiological mechanisms.

For over 20 years, specific Saw Palmetto extracts have been used to reduce BPH symptoms. This practice is supported by scientific findings from several sources, with serious methodologies that attest to a positive effect.

In Europe, the HMPC (Herbal Medicinal Products) Committee of the EMA (European Medicines Agency) recognizes its "well-established medical use in the symptomatic treatment of BPH" but only for saw palmetto extracts obtained with hexane as the extraction solvent.

However, it also recognizes its "traditional use to relieve lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH" for saw palmetto extracts obtained with ethanol as the extraction solvent.

These two technical details (types of extraction solvent) are justified by the need to extract the liposoluble active ingredients from the Saw Palmetto seed with these appropriate solvents.

Risks and interactions, precautions for use of saw palmetto

There are no major or significant risks associated with the consumption of saw palmetto extract, nor any interactions with any known plants, supplements or medications.

The dosages and types of extracts used for food supplements are safe and do not present any risk identified by any of the public health organizations that monitor consumer safety (Europe, USA, Canada, etc.).

As a general precaution, it is still recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women and people undergoing medical treatment with anticoagulants/antiplatelets inform their doctor for advice before taking them.
This is a common precaution for plant extracts without any particular risk being identified. (These precautions normally apply to extracts obtained with Hexane or the Supercritical process and reserved for medicinal products).

Saw Palmetto in food supplements

Because of its virtues, we chose saw palmetto to complete our formula designed to improve hair growth, shine, and reduce hair loss. Our hair complex with Plant Biotin contains 75 mg of saw palmetto extract per capsule (150 mg/day), titrated to 20% lipids.

This is a dosage that we have deliberately moderated to avoid any very possible significant interaction with medical or hormonal treatments while allowing targeted action on hair loss.
The effectiveness of this hair formula is very rapid (a few days) on the quality and resistance of the hair that grows during the treatment. The first users of this formula mention having observed a significant reduction in their hair loss (see the qualified opinions posted on our site), it is very encouraging and we obviously follow this feedback with attention!

Selected bibliography:

EMA Monograph:

1. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/sabalis-serrulatae-fructus Saw palmetto sensitivity in androgenic alopecia
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12423443/ Action on female hair loss Rodney D Sinclair , Rica S Mallari , Bruce Tate , ¹ Skin and Cancer Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23298508/ Study on the effectiveness of finasteride vs. saw palmetto on androgenic alopecia a two-year study
4. Int Journal Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2012 Oct-Dec; A Rossi , E Mari , M Scarno , V Garelli , C Maxia , E Scali , A Iorio , M Carlesimo

The above information is compiled in good faith by Argalys based on open source information available as of July ^1, 2022.