Saw Palmetto: Health Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & More!
By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Click to rate this article!
[Total: 1 Avg: 5]
Get insightful and
helpful tips to treat
your symptoms for FREE
Register to Avail the Offer
Send OTPBy continuing, you agree with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions
By Dr Rajeev Singh +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr Rajeev Singh
Last updated: Jun 14, 2024Table of Contents
Saw palmetto is a kind of palm tree. It hails from the southeast part of the United States. People love it because it is proposed to help with many health issues. It comes as extracts in supplements. Often, these aim to aid prostate health, balance hormone levels, and stop hair loss in men. In this article, we will delve into saw palmetto’s potential benefits. We’ll look at the latest facts, the recommended doses, and any possible side effects. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a tiny palm tree from the southeast United States. You’ll find it in places like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The tree grows dark berries. These were used by Native Americans as a medicine for urinary and sex issues. Now, people often use it in a liquid, tea, tablet, or capsule. This is mainly for its supposed boosts to men’s health.
To detect a saw palmetto tree, look out for its fan-shaped leaves. They have sharp, saw-like edges that give the plant its name. The plant often grows in thick clumps that are hard to get through. It creates lots of sweet-smelling, dark brown to blackberries. They are a good food source for deer, bears, and wild pigs. People gather these berries in the fall. Once dried, they are used for their potential health benefits.
Native tribes in Florida, like the Seminoles, used saw palmetto berries as food and medicine. Berries were used to ease urinary and sex problems. They were also used to manage colds, coughs, sore throats, and digestion issues. Now, we find saw palmetto in many supplements. It’s often used to support prostate health and avoid hair loss.
One of saw palmetto’s proposed uses is managing hair loss. In the cases androgenic alopecia or male/female pattern baldness. This is understood to be linked to testosterone turning into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT leads to smaller hair follicles and a shorter hair growth cycle.
The supplement aims to block the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme turns testosterone into DHT. So, by blocking the enzyme, saw palmetto keeps testosterone levels up. This may slow hair loss and improve overall hair health.
Some studies suggest it may reduce hair loss and boost hair thickness. Others found no big benefits when they compared it with fake (placebo) therapies. More studies are needed to confirm these potential benefits and nail down the best dose and how long the management should last for reducing the risk of hair loss.
People often use saw palmetto to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms. BPH is when the prostate gland grows, but not due to cancer. The growth can cause urinary issues. It can lead to unease, frequent urination, and trouble to start urinating or to continue to maintain the urine flow. These issues may be worse at night.
As we discussed earlier, saw palmetto may block the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which turns testosterone into DHT. Less DHT might help stop the prostate gland from getting larger. This may ease urinary symptoms and take pressure off the urethra.
All the studies don’t agree on saw palmetto’s effects on BPH and urination. Some have found that saw palmetto extracts may increase urine flow and reduce nighttime urination. Others found no big changes compared with placebo options. We need more in-depth studies to know if saw palmetto really can ease BPH symptoms and improve urinary function.
For a long time, people have used saw palmetto for overall prostate health. Plenty of studies suggest that it may ease inflammation, improve urinary symptoms, and possibly guard against prostate cancer.
Although we need solid evidence, early research implies saw palmetto may ward off cancer. Laboratory studies show that saw palmetto extract may halt the growth of prostate cancer cells. It might even trigger apoptosis (cell death). But we need more studies – especially ones involving humans – to confirm saw palmetto’s real potential for stopping or managing prostate cancer.
Prostatitis is when the prostate gland is inflamed. This can cause painful and uncomfortable urinary symptoms. Some studies imply that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties. This may help ease these symptoms and overall prostate health. But we still need more studies to confirm the benefits of saw palmetto for managing prostatitis.
At present, research on saw palmetto’s possible prostate health benefits is limited and unclear. While some studies have suggested positive effects on BPH symptoms and anti-cancer properties, other studies disagree. We need more high-quality human trials to truly understand the potential benefits and limitations of saw palmetto for prostate health.
Saw palmetto’s anti-inflammatory properties may come from its unique mix of fatty acids, phytosterols, and other bioactive components. These elements have been seen to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in animal and test-tube studies.
Key anti-inflammatory components in saw palmetto include oleic acid, lauric acid, and beta-sitosterol. These elements have been tied with reduced inflammation in test-tube and animal studies. Therefore, saw palmetto may be a good natural anti-inflammatory agent.
Although we’ve had some promising animal and test-tube research, we still lack solid human studies on the anti-inflammatory benefits of saw palmetto. We need more studies to confirm these potential benefits and find out the best dose and how long the management should last for reducing inflammation with saw palmetto.
As we’ve mentioned, saw palmetto might block the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme changes testosterone into DHT. So, saw palmetto might help regulate overall testosterone levels in the body. This has various possible health benefits.
By stopping testosterone from becoming DHT, saw palmetto might keep testosterone levels up in the body. Testosterone is key for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, mood, and libido. Therefore, keeping testosterone levels healthy may have many benefits for overall health and well-being, especially in men.
Some studies suggest that saw palmetto might help regulate testosterone levels. But we need more studies to confirm this. In addition, future research should look at the most effective dosage and management duration for maintaining healthy testosterone levels with saw palmetto supplementation.
You can find saw palmetto in different forms, such as capsules, tablets, teas, and liquid extracts. The most popular type often studied is the oily extract, made up of 85% to 95% fatty acids.
You can get saw palmetto extract in soft gels and liquid form. This standard extract has 85% to 95% fatty acids. These are thought to be its main active ingredients. The extracts are often mixed with other ingredients, like pumpkin seed extract, to boost prostate health.
You can also get saw palmetto as a dried powder in either tablets or capsules. These offer a simple, handy way to take saw palmetto. But they may not pack as much punch as the oily extract versions. For capsules and tablets, the advised dose is usually 320 mg per day.
Saw palmetto also comes as a dried powder or tea. These types offer a more natural, traditional way to take saw palmetto. But we lack studies on their effectiveness compared to the extracts, capsules, and tablets. We don’t know the ideal dose for teas and powders. But traditionally, people have used 1 to 2 grams of dried saw palmetto berries daily.
Most of the studies on saw palmetto have been done in adult men. The typical advised dose for them is 320 mg per day. But we lack the information to determine the best dose for women and children. The best course of action is to discuss with a healthcare professional. They can help you find the appropriate dosage for your personal needs and supplements.
For managing BPH symptoms, daily dose of 320 mg of saw palmetto extract is often used in clinical trials. For other conditions, like hair loss or inflammation, the ideal dose may differ. We need more studies to set firm recommendations. It’s crucial to always check in with a healthcare professional. They can help you find the right dose for your needs and supplements.
In general, saw palmetto is safe and well-tolerated. However, some people might experience mild side effects.
There are few known interactions between saw palmetto and other drugs or supplements. But there have been a few reports of it interacting with blood thinners, like warfarin. If you’re taking any medications or supplements, it’s best to have a discussion with a healthcare professional before using saw palmetto.
There are no hard and fast rules that say when not to use saw palmetto. But we’ve not studied its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding in depth. Due to its effects on hormone metabolism, we advise pregnant or breastfeeding women to avoid saw palmetto.
People around the world love saw palmetto. It’s a natural supplement that may deliver a range of health benefits, especially for men. Native American tribes have used it for generations. Now, contemporary research focuses on its effectiveness for an array of conditions, including hair loss, prostate health, urinary function, inflammation, and testosterone controls.
Some studies suggest promising outcomes, but we need more research. We need to confirm its effectiveness and determine the ideal dose for each condition. As when taking any supplement, always consult a healthcare professional before using saw palmetto. This is especially important if you are taking other medications, supplements, or have known contraindications.
Yes, saw palmetto is usually fine for long-term use. But it’s key to discuss with your healthcare professional before starting any supplement. That’s essential, particularly if you have any existing medical problems or are taking other medications.
That depends on the person and their specific issue. Some studies show improvements in BPH symptoms within a few weeks. But others didn’t find much improvement, even after months of use. They need more studies to work out the ideal dose and how long the management should last for saw palmetto’s potential benefits.
Even though most research on saw palmetto centers on men, some studies suggest possible benefits for women as well. These might include supporting hair health and decreasing inflammation. Due to limited research in women and possible effects on hormones, it’s key to discuss with a healthcare professional before using saw palmetto. This is particularly important if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Although few interactions with other medications or supplements have been found, isolated reports suggest possible interactions with blood thinners, such as warfarin. If you are taking any medications or supplements, it’s best to seek advice from a healthcare professional before using saw palmetto.
Saw palmetto, like other dietary supplements, isn’t regulated by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the same way that prescription and over-the-counter drugs are. However, makers must ensure the safety and proper labeling of their products. When choosing a saw palmetto supplement, look for a well-known brand with good manufacturing practices. That way, you can be sure of the good quality and safety.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
Leave your comment...
Comments