The Role of Saw Palmetto in Hair Regrowth

Saw palmetto is believed to inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT are linked to hair loss, as they can shorten the hair growth cycle and shrink hair follicles. Research indicates that saw palmetto may help reduce DHT levels, leading to improved hair density and regrowth.

Supporting Studies

Systematic Review: A systematic review analyzed five randomized clinical trials and two prospective cohort studies. It found that oral and topical supplements containing saw palmetto (100-320 mg) resulted in a 60% improvement in overall hair quality, a 27% increase in total hair count, and increased hair density in 83.3% of patients with AGA and telogen effluvium. The review concluded that saw palmetto is well tolerated and may be a viable treatment option for hair loss, although more high-quality studies are needed to confirm its efficacy .
Randomized Controlled Study: A 16-week randomized, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that both oral and topical administration of a standardized saw palmetto oil significantly reduced hair fall and improved hair growth. Participants in the oral group experienced a 5.17% increase in hair density, while those using the topical treatment saw a 7.61% increase .
Comparative Study: Another study compared the effectiveness of oral saw palmetto (320 mg) to finasteride (1 mg) in treating male pattern hair loss. While finasteride led to hair regrowth in 68% of participants, saw palmetto showed a 38% improvement. The authors suggested that saw palmetto could serve as an alternative for patients who are intolerant to finasteride .
Mechanistic Insights: Research has also indicated that saw palmetto promotes hair regeneration by activating transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and mitochondrial signalling pathways, which are crucial for hair follicle health and function.