Get To Know... Saw Palmetto!

What is Saw Palmetto and why do I keep hearing about it?

Saw Palmetto (sometimes referred to as serona repens) is a plant that produces a fruit. When the fruit is ripened, it can be processed to produce the herb known as Saw Palmetto Extract (SPE).  This extract is used in different forms to treat a few health issues. Most people know of Saw Palmetto Extract in the treatment of prostate issues in men’s health as there have been many studies that show SPE being effective in this area. This is even better news when you consider that it works without dealing with the sexual side effects associated with drug based options as proved in other studies. 

But what else can it do?

Well, as with most herbs it has more than one effect on the functions of the human body. The current buzz around SPE is the effect it has on pattern baldness. This comes from the suppressive effect it has on the enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase (5AR).

Let's get nerdy! 

5AR converts Testosterone (T) into Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT shrinks the follicles of the hair and shortens the life cycles of the hairs on your scalp, thus the thinning effect. A recent study showed SPE effectively combatting 5AR's impact T to DHT conversion. This is great news for a few reasons! Less hair loss, longer life cycles for the hair, and better T levels. 

So what dose this mean for me? 

If you're looking for safe, drug free options to combat baldness, supplements containing Saw Palmetto Extract can be a great addition to your arsenal. A few keys for finding a top quality product are making sure that the manufacturer is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified and the formula is balanced to ensure the best results.