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Saw palmetto inhibits 5-alpha reductase, reducing the formation of DHT, which can cause acne, hirsutism, hair loss, and prostate problems. It may also help with hair loss and BPH, but more research is needed.
Saw palmetto is an herb used to inhibit a steroid metabolizer called 5-alpha reductase, which is responsible for the formation of an androgenic compound called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excessive amounts of DHT have been implicated in many medical conditions, including acne, hirsutism, hair loss, and prostate problems. The connection between saw palmetto and DHT reduction was first observed in the late 1800s and was later confirmed by several clinical trials. It was found that for saw palmetto supplements to be effective in reducing the amount of DHT in the human body, it must contain 85-95 percent fatty acids and sterols.
Acne caused by a hormonal imbalance affects both men and women. In many cases, acne results when the oil-producing sebaceous glands are overstimulated by excessive production of DHT. As a result, the skin pores become blocked with oil that contains the propionibacterium acnes bacteria, leading to infection and inflammation. When taken regularly, saw palmetto will eventually decrease the production of DHT and, in turn, decrease the production of sebaceous glands.
In the case of DHT-induced hair loss, it is the hair follicle that is affected rather than the sebaceous gland. Androgen-sensitive hair follicles are found in areas such as the face, head, chest, and lower back. Excessive levels of DHT activate androgen receptors in the hair follicle of the scalp, causing follicular miniaturization or thinning of the hair. Ongoing DHT-induced hair loss can lead to varying degrees of baldness.
In theory, saw palmetto can minimize or even prevent hair loss by blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Hair loss studies involving saw palmetto and DHT-induced hair loss have not been fully proven. Limited trials have suggested that saw palmetto might help people with DHT-induced hair loss, but more research is needed.
Underlying conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women cause an increase in circulating male hormones, such as DHT. Although it can cause devastating hair loss in women, DHT causes equally distressing hair growth in androgen-sensitive areas, a condition called hirsutism. The connection between saw palmetto and DHT in hirsutism is the herb’s ability to inhibit the binding of DHT to cellular receptors in hair follicles.
For centuries, men have been using saw palmetto as an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An enlarged prostate, or BPH, can lead to serious problems, including recurring urinary tract infections and even kidney damage. There appears to be a correlation between saw palmetto and DHT in reducing the size of the prostate in BPH patients. The herb works by reducing DHT concentrations in BPH tissue, thus alleviating symptoms and size.
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