Saw Palmetto Shed, good news or not?

[chrisis]

StressedToTheBald,

Do you know why side effects occur with finasteride, but not saw palmetto, if they do the same thing? i.e. block DHT?

[2020]

StressedToTheBald,

Do you know why side effects occur with finasteride, but not saw palmetto, if they do the same thing? i.e. block DHT?

I can't believe ANYONE takes StressedToBald seriously.....

Saw Palmetto, Beta Sitosterol and all that other natural crap LOWER YOUR DHT LEVELS. FACT.
If your body can't tolerate lower DHT levels, then YOU WILL GET SIDE EFFECTS. FACT.

[chrisis]

I'm not taking anyone seriously. I'm asking the question because I don't understand why saw palmetto would not induce side effects in people who've already suffered side effects with finasteride.

[Tracy C]

I'm asking the question because I don't understand why saw palmetto would not induce side effects in people who've already suffered side effects with finasteride.

Neither do I. It makes perfect sense that IF natural DHT blockers actually could do anything to slow down, stop or reverse hereditary hair loss, they would have the same side effect profile as Finasteride.

[StressedToTheBald]

StressedToTheBald,

Do you know why side effects occur with finasteride, but not saw palmetto, if they do the same thing? i.e. block DHT?

Its an excellent question chrisis. Finally some inspiring discussion that makes sense. It is known and reported by several studies that saw palmetto is safe and that significant & permanent side effects which occur with finasteride do not happen with saw palmetto. Neither of them actually blocks DHT directly - they impact enzyme thats responsible for making DHT... but their mechanisms of action and impact on this enzyme are completely different and so are the side effects. Here is a very interesting quote I've digged out which might help You understand:

"Finasteride, sold only by prescription, blocks the action of 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone, the dominant male hormone, to dihydrotestosterone, also called DHT. Saw palmetto appears to decrease 5-alpha-reductase and may also have other hormonal effects, according to MayoClinic.com. Saw palmetto also has inhibitory effects on male hormone receptors."

Pay attention to exact words used.. one blocks, other decreases. I believe mechanisms of action of these two are completely different and so is the impact. One seems to be able to kill the 5-alpha reductase and therefore DHT, the other seems to decrease 5-alpha reductase and inhibit DHT receptors in the hairs - essentially DHT production is significantly reduced and because receptors are also inhibited - DHT becomes a key for which the locks have been disabled. Dr. Irwig says that the danger of propecia is in the fact that it shuts down 5-alpha reductase in the brain - and even when You stop with propecia treatment - side effects don't necessarily dissapear - thats why some people end up permanently impotent.

[chrisis]

Thanks STTB. It appears very complex. The only way to know for sure I guess, would be for me to try.

I'm tempted to give finasteride one more go at a lower dose, but I want my libido to return first.

If I have no luck, I'll try saw palmetto.

By the way, I asked my Dad about the zinc dose he uses. I wrote it down but it's not on me, so I'll write again later. I assume it wasn't a big dose because he just bought it from a high street store.

[StressedToTheBald]

Thanks STTB. It appears very complex. The only way to know for sure I guess, would be for me to try.

I'm tempted to give finasteride one more go at a lower dose, but I want my libido to return first.

If I have no luck, I'll try saw palmetto.

By the way, I asked my Dad about the zinc dose he uses. I wrote it down but it's not on me, so I'll write again later. I assume it wasn't a big dose because he just bought it from a high street store.

You're very welcome.
I hope You'll stay on the safe side and give saw palmetto a chance.
Please do let me know about the zinc dose Your Dad is using. Also what type of zinc it is.. there are several type of zinc compounds out there and not all seem to be showing the same effect. Thank You.

[chrisis]

You're very welcome.
Please do let me know about the zinc dose Your Dad is using. Also what type of zinc it is.. there are several type of zinc compounds out there and not all seem to be showing the same effect. Thank You.

He's apparently on 15mg of zinc. I'll have to ask him what type. Sorry but I usually only speak to him at weekends.

[StressedToTheBald]

He's apparently on 15mg of zinc. I'll have to ask him what type. Sorry but I usually only speak to him at weekends.

Ok. Just been away to check my labels..
My total daily intake is 65mg.. although not all is the same type of zinc.. some is zinc oxide, some zinc gluconate, some just says zinc..
Anyway, sadly I can't say all this high dose does anything special for me.

[2020]

Ok. Just been away to check my labels..
My total daily intake is 65mg.. although not all is the same type of zinc.. some is zinc oxide, some zinc gluconate, some just says zinc..
Anyway, sadly I can't say all this high dose does anything special for me.

65mg is way too much if you take it every day! Overdose of Zinc will actually lead to hair loss...

ffs instead of worrying about specific vitamins, buy a multivitamin and you will get absolutely everything your body needs:
http://www.vitacost.com/Country-Life-Maxi-Hair