Saw Palmetto Extract

Saw Palmetto Extract

Category: Nutraceutical hair-supporting ingredient
Used in: Oral hair health supplements

Label / Ingredient Name:
Serenoa serrulata (Saw Palmetto) Fruit Extract

Typical Usage Levels (Oral)

• 160 mg – 500 mg per day

Used in oral hair supplements targeting androgen-sensitive hair thinning.

What This Ingredient Does

Saw palmetto extract is a botanical nutraceutical studied for its interaction with androgen metabolism, particularly in relation to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Its primary mechanism involves the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT.

In androgen-sensitive individuals, elevated DHT activity at the hair follicle level contributes to follicle miniaturization, shortened growth cycles, and progressive hair thinning. When consumed orally, saw palmetto extract helps reduce DHT-related follicular stress from within, without suppressing or altering systemic testosterone levels.

Clinical and mechanistic studies suggest that consistent oral use of saw palmetto may help slow hair thinning, support hair density, and maintain healthier hair growth cycles, making it a foundational nutraceutical ingredient in hair retention supplements.

Benefits

• Helps reduce androgen-related hair fall

• Supports hair retention and density from within

• Assists in moderating DHT activity (non-hormonal)

• Supports healthier hair growth cycles

• Suitable for hair health supplementation

Who It’s Suitable For

• Men and women with androgen-sensitive hair thinning

• Early to moderate stages of hair loss

• Individuals seeking plant-based, non-drug DHT support

• Long-term hair retention and maintenance routines

• Supplement users avoiding systemic hormonal interventions

It is frequently combined with pumpkin seed oil, biotin, zinc, amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to address multiple internal hair loss pathways.

Note by Dr. Su

(M.D. Dermatologist)

Saw palmetto extract has supporting evidence for oral use in androgen-sensitive hair loss. When used consistently as a supplement, it helps reduce DHT-related follicular stress, making it suitable for hair health support.

References

• Murugusundram S.
  Role of nutraceuticals in hair loss.
  International Journal of Trichology, 2009

• Wessells H, et al.
  Saw palmetto extract and mechanisms of 5-alpha-reductase inhibition.
  National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4002402/