Will Herb for Prostate Make Hair Grow?

Q. Are there any herbs that will help hair grow back? I read that saw palmetto worked for some men. My dermatologist, who is bald, tells me nothing works and it is all a waste of money. According to him, I should have picked a better dad. I hope you can give me some more information on saw palmetto.

A. Saw palmetto extract is frequently used to relive symptoms of benign prostate enlargement. This herb inhibits an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The prescription drug finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) also blocks this enzyme and has been approved by the FDA to treat both male pattern baldness and prostate enlargement.

One study of saw palmetto extract showed that it was more effective than placebo at reversing hair loss in male pattern baldness (Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Apr. 2002). Side effects were primarily mild digestive upset.

Q. My daughter was diagnosed with ADD last fall and began taking Adderall. She has had several episodes of stomachache, vomiting and diarrhea that kept her home from school. At first we thought it was a virus, but now we suspect it’s the Adderall. She’s a skinny kid and she’s been losing weight.

She did not take the medicine over the Christmas break and she had no tummy trouble. Her doctor does not think she could have such a drastic reaction to Adderall. Is there an alternative? She needs help staying focused in class, but I hate to give her something that makes her sick. I’d prefer a more natural approach.

A. Adderall and similar drugs (Ritalin, Concerta, Dexedrine) help many children with attention deficit (hyperactivity) disorder (ADD), but the medications can cause stomachaches. Edward Hallowell, MD, and John Ratey, MD, discuss the importance of coaching, tutoring, lifestyle management and nondrug approaches as well as medication in their book, Delivered from Distraction.

We interviewed Dr. Hallowell about these issues, including the use of fish oil and diet for alleviating ADD symptoms. Anyone who would like a CD of this hour-long radio show may send $16 to The People’s Pharmacy, (CD-541), P. O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027; or order it online at www.peoplespharmacy.com.

Q. My husband has had problems with blood sugar. When he had to go on prednisone I worried because this drug can make blood sugar problems worse. The doctor didn’t seem concerned, but as a retired diabetes educator I knew this could become a serious problem.

Soon after my husband started taking prednisone, his blood glucose level went over 200. Then he started taking nopal cactus and it dropped to 150 and then to 132. We’re pleased with the results but would like to know more about nopal.

A. Prickly pear cactus leaves (Opuntia) have been eaten as a vegetable for centuries. Nopal, as it is known in Mexico, has also been used there to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetics.

There is some preliminary animal research to suggest that this botanical product may be effective, but there is not much human data to support its use. Anyone who might consider such an approach needs to be under medical supervision and monitor blood glucose very carefully. Capsules of nopal can be found in health food stores or on the Internet.