Saw Palmetto Extract (Serenoa Repens)
Benefits of Saw Palmetto Extract
- Hair
- Where it's from: Southeast parts of North America (Florida, Georgia, Cuba)
- Form: Extract
What is Saw Palmetto Extract?
A small, rugged palm, Saw Palmetto is native to the tropical regions of the south-eastern USA. In fact, this plant is so hardy that some are thought to be around 700 years old. So what is it about this long-lived plant that makes it interesting to nutritionists? Saw Palmetto is traditionally associated with men's health and with hair.
What does the research say about Saw Palmetto Extract?
Testosterone affects hair in both men and women. There are several different forms of testosterone in the body, and the form with the greatest effect on hair follicles is 'Dihydrotestosterone', commonly referred to as 'DHT'.
Hair follicles are sensitive to DHT, which can cause them to shrink and produce shorter, finer hairs. DHT is made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, and researchers have looked at how a Saw Palmetto extract interacts with this enzyme in the laboratory. Saw Palmetto has been studied in relation to the hair, including hair growth over two years. There are also studies looking at Saw Palmetto and urine flow.
Discover 'What colour should your urine be?' and you may also enjoy reading 'How hormones affect your hair' and 'Best foods for hair loss & thinning'.
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