Saw Palmettohas long been known to support healthy prostate function. It may also be used by women to reduce unwanted facial hair or reduce adult acne.
- Supports prostate health
- Supports hair and skin health
- May reduce excess facial hair growth in women
The health of the prostate is important to every man. Symptoms like frequent urination, getting up too often in the night to empty the bladder, or dribbling after urination are signs of possible prostate stress.
In some cases, the male hormone testosterone may break down and form too much of a derivative known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), resulting in prostate irritation. Saw palmetto extract is known to modulate the enzyme 5alpha-reductase which converts testosterone to DHT.
Saw palmetto is one of the most popular nutritional supplements to support prostate health. A common dose is 320 mg per day (2 capsules) for 4 – 6 weeks. It may be continued indefinitely, as desired.
Both men and women convert testosterone to DHT. Two areas in both sexes that have significant potential DHT formation are the skin and hair follicles. The effect of excess DHT on hair is rather interesting. It causes hair to grow where it shouldn't (e.g., facial hair on women of any age, hair on the ears of men as they age). It also promotes the receding hair line or male pattern hair thinning in men or women. DHT may also be a factor in hormone-related mild skin acne. Acne onset at puberty, at menstruation, or in later life may be involved with DHT and may respond to saw palmetto supplementation.