Another alternative to ADAM from NOW foods is Source Naturals LIFE FORCE multi.
In regards to Saw Palmetto, I am 35 and use a saw palmetto supplement. Whilst there are studies showing the use of saw palmetto for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia a recent phase III clinical trial study in the New England Journal of Medicine shows no effect
Saw palmetto for benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Bent S, Kane C, Shinohara K, Neuhaus J, Hudes ES, Goldberg H, Avins AL.
Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, USA. bent@itsa.ucsf.edu
BACKGROUND: Saw palmetto is used by over 2 million men in the United States for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and is commonly recommended as an alternative to drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration. METHODS: In this double-blind trial, we randomly assigned 225 men over the age of 49 years who had moderate-to-severe symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia to one year of treatment with saw palmetto extract (160 mg twice a day) or placebo. The primary outcome measures were changes in the scores on the American Urological Association Symptom Index (AUASI) and the maximal urinary flow rate. Secondary outcome measures included changes in prostate size, residual urinary volume after voiding, quality of life, laboratory values, and the rate of reported adverse effects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the saw palmetto and placebo groups in the change in AUASI scores (mean difference, 0.04 point; 95 percent confidence interval, -0.93 to 1.01), maximal urinary flow rate (mean difference, 0.43 ml per minute; 95 percent confidence interval, -0.52 to 1.38), prostate size, residual volume after voiding, quality of life, or serum prostate-specific antigen levels during the one-year study. The incidence of side effects was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, saw palmetto did not improve symptoms or objective measures of benign prostatic hyperplasia. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00037154.). Copyright 2006 Massachusetts Medical Society.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial, Phase III
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 16467543 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
I use saw palmetto to prevent androgenic alopecia. Yes, I do not want to go bald.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia.
Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G.
Clinical Research and Development Network, Aurora, CO, USA.
BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by the structural miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles in susceptible individuals and is anatomically defined within a given pattern of the scalp. Biochemically, one contributing factor of this disorder is the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) via the enzyme 5-alpha reductase (5AR). This metabolism is also key to the onset and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Furthermore, AGA has also been shown to be responsive to drugs and agents used to treat BPH. Of note, certain botanical compounds have previously demonstrated efficacy against BPH. Here, we report the first example of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study undertaken in order to examine the benefit of these botanical substances in the treatment of AGA. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to test botanically derived 5AR inhibitors, specifically the liposterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESr) and beta-sitosterol, in the treatment of AGA. Subjects: Included in this study were males between the ages of 23 and 64 years of age, in good health, with mild to moderate AGA. RESULTS: The results of this pilot study showed a highly positive response to treatment. The blinded investigative staff assessment report showed that 60% of (6/10) study subjects dosed with the active study formulation were rated as improved at the final visit. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes the effectiveness of naturally occurring 5AR inhibitors against AGA for the first time, and justifies the expansion to larger trials.
Publication Types:
* Clinical Trial
* Randomized Controlled Trial
PMID: 12006122 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
I have to admit though that the one study that measures saw palmetto with alopecia (as shown above) reports in the results that "The blinded investigative staff assessment report showed that 60% of (6/10) study subjects dosed with the active study formulation were rated as improved at the final visit". What do they mean as rated? I haven't got time at the moment to read the full study but will look into it.
I have made a preliminary decision though by joing the dots, so to speak. There are studies that show that the convesion of testoserone to DHT via 5-alpha reductase as being a contributing factor which results in androgenic alopecia. There are also studies that show that saw palmetto is an effective inhibitor of 5-alpha reductase. This process of reasoning was most likely how they came up with the justifacation for the pilot study above.
What are peoples thoughts on using saw palmetto to prevent male pattern baldness.
Scottl, do you think that 35 is too young to be using saw palmetto?