It’s amazing that many to this day are worried about Saw Palmetto somehow being Anti-androgenic, i.e. having feminizing effects in men, and forego its usage in their hair loss treatment regimes. This outdated preconception no doubt arises from one of its mechanisms of action that it shares with Propecia (5 alpha reductase inhibition), a drug which is well established to have feminizing effects, such as erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia (male breast enlargement).
Saw Palmetto, was shown in several studies to produce hair growth in men with AGA. One study compared the hair growth effects of a modest dose of Saw Palmetto Extract with that of finasteride (Propecia) and found that even though Propecia out-performed Saw Palmetto, Saw Palmetto still produced a documented hair growth effect, which is counter to what the medical community has been saying for years.
Comparitive effectiveness of finasteride vs Serenoa repens in male androgenetic alopecia: a two-year study
Yet another just published confirms that super critical Saw Palmetto Extract by itself, unlike Propecia, actually produces a de-feminizing effect, decreasing visceral fat, increasing muscle endurance, sperm counts, and testosterone biosynthesis.
| J Med Food 2021 Jun;24 Standardized Saw Palmetto Extract Directly and Indirectly Affects Testosterone Biosynthesis and Spermatogenesis Abstract We investigated whether a standardized saw palmetto extract (SP, mixture of supercritical extract and ethanol extract at a ratio of 9.5 to 0.5) can relieve the symptoms of andropause, including metabolic syndrome, and decreases in muscle endurance and spermatogenesis, in old rats. Twenty-four-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats received oral supplementation of SP at 40, 80, and 160 mg/kg body weight (bw) for 4 weeks. We found that SP supplementation reduced body weight gain by decreasing visceral and epididymal fat weights and the levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein/very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In addition, SP supplementation increased muscle endurance, sperm counts, and testosterone biosynthesis through hormonal regulation. In Leydig cells under hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, SP treatment directly induced testosterone biosynthesis by activating the mRNA expression of the genes encoding 17,20-desmolase and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4. In conclusion, our results suggest that supplementation of SP may be useful for alleviating the symptoms of andropause via direct and indirect regulation of testosterone biosynthesis. The testosterone increasing and DHT reducing effects are even more pronounced when Saw Palmetto is combined with Astaxanthin; confirmed in several human trials: Evaluation of Resettin® on serum hormone levels in sedentary males An open label, dose response study to determine the effect of a dietary supplement on dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol levels in healthy males A preliminary investigation of the enzymatic inhibition of 5alpha-reduction and growth of prostatic carcinoma cell line LNCap-FGC by natural astaxanthin and Saw Palmetto lipid extract in vitro Saw Palmetto’s documented health and hair growth effects notwithstanding, we highly recommend combining a critical extract of Saw Palmetto, with an Astaxanthin supplement that contains phospholipids for superior absorption. Fortunately, this is easy and inexpensive to do. Simply take 1-2 soft gels of Palmetto Guard along with 1-2 soft gels of Astaxanthin with phospholipids. Beta-sitosterol from palmetto and pine PalmettoGuard® Saw Palmetto with Beta-Sitosterol combines high-potency saw palmetto extract with beta-sitosterol (from pine). Beta Sitosterol provides an additional inhibition of DHT receptor site binding and has been shown in addition to Saw Palmetto, to produce a hair growth stimulation effect. Boron has been added to support healthy hormonal metabolism, and a small amount of rosemary extract provides antioxidant activity, and inhibits cytokines associated with AGA. Astaxanthin is a versatile nutrient that in addition to being a strong 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, is loaded with health benefits. It’s been shown to relieve general eye fatigue and promote a healthy inflammatory response. Astaxanthin helps optimize immune, memory, cardiovascular, metabolic, and mitochondrial health. It can even help maintain healthy cognitive function, slow skin aging, improve skin firmness, and encourage muscle strength and endurance. Astaxanthin with phospholipids includes a proprietary blend of four phospholipids that increases absorption of astaxanthin 7-fold, and cost no more than regular Astaxanthin without phospholipids. For hair growth, skin aging and healthy hormone modulation, muscle maintenance and endurance, we recommend 1-2 soft gels each of low-cost Palmetto Guard and Astaxanthin with phospholipids. |