What You Should Know About Saw Palmetto for Prostate Health?

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw Palmetto is an herb found in the southeast region of North America, Florida Georgia, Bahamas, and Cuba to be specific.

Extract from the berries has traditionally been used as a dietary supplement to treat many health issues including BPH, a widespread health condition in aging men.

BPH is characterized by prostate enlargement which most time causes both irrelative and obstructive symptoms

According to Dr. Glen Nagel, a naturopathic doctor,

clinical herbalist, and dean of botanical medicine at the National University of Natural Medicine, palmetto has gained popularity in the past few years because of its proven health benefits, especially in men’s health realm.

The extract is a rich source of triglycerides, free fatty acids, phytosterols, polysaccharides, and flavonoids. These active compounds according to Nigal, are responsible for several health benefits, including reproductive health in men.

How Does Saw Palmetto Work to Improve Prostate Health?

Saw palmetto has been suggested in various studies as the best medicinal herb for maintaining testosterone levels a vital hormone responsible for some biological processes in men’s body including reproduction.

However, aging affects the concentration of this hormone level which in turn impacts the overall body health and wellbeing. Research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food notes that palmetto supplementation can, directly and indirectly, testosterone biosynthesis as well as spermatogenesis.

According to research published in Advances in Therapy, the active compounds found in these medicinal herb berries can work to block 5-alpha reductase activity, which is vital for the preservation of testosterone levels in the body.

High levels of DHT in the body have been found to contribute to prostate enlargement and palmetto supplementation can help reduce Dehyrdrotestosterone (DHT) levels in the body. According to a publication in Frontiers in Pharmacology, a decrease in DHT can help shrink an enlarged prostate and also prevent future enlargement.

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Saw Palmetto and Prostate Health - What Scientific Results Indicate

Saw palmetto has been found to offer a wide range of health benefits to the body. However, if you are taking the component for improving your prostate health, here are some of the benefits to expect:

Prostate health support

Saw palmetto has been found to have a positive effect on prostate health. The prostate is a tiny gland located between the penis and the bladder and it is in charge of maintaining sperm health.

According to a study published in the National Journal of Andrology that saw palmetto has the potential to prevent prostate health-related issues such as prostate cancer and BPH. It can also help reduce inflammation and urinary symptoms.

Helps to block 5-alpha reductase activity

Men’s body is composed of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase believed to be responsible for converting testosterone to DHT a process likely to affect prostate health.

According to a publication in the Clinical Research in Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury, saw palmetto has been found to possess an active compound capable of blocking 5-alpha reductase activity, meaning that it can play a big role in promoting prostate health.

Helps maintain testosterone levels

Testosterone is a hormone found in males and is said to play a significant role in different aspects of body health including reproductive health. However, the level of this hormone usually decreases as one age, hence impacting men’s general health.

A study published in Start Pearls Journal has suggested the supplementation of saw palmetto saying that it has shown efficacy as far as the maintenance of testosterone levels in the body is concerned. According to the study, taking saw palmetto can help improve libido, mood, and the body’s overall composition, making it a potential ingredient for prostate health support.

Decreases DHT Levels

Some studies have noted DHT as one of the main causes of prostate gland enlargement. So it is believed that decreasing DHT levels in the body can go a long way in improving prostate health.

A study published in the Asian Journal of Urology looked into the effect of saw palmetto supplementation on prostate health. The results of the study indicate that the active compound in saw palmetto can help improve prostate health as well as BHP.

What Should You Look for When Choosing Saw Supplements to Support Prostate Health?

There are quite a number of saw palmetto supplements in the market today and all promise to improve prostate health. However, not all of them are genuine products and will give you the promised results.

So, if you are planning to add a saw palmetto supplement to your health regimen, here are some of the things to look out for to increase your chances of landing an authentic product:

The formula and ingredients: The supplement quality is determined by the type of ingredients contained in the formula. The source of saw palmetto used in the formulation in this case matters a lot. Supplements formulated using saw palmetto from southeast North America are considered high-quality, and effective, with minimal side effects.
Dosage: The dosage of a supplement matters a lot and will determine if the product is going to be effective or not. So, when choosing a saw palmetto supplement, be sure to check the label on the package to ensure that it has dosage instructions.
Brand: Not all brands produce genuine products. Others are out to make money without caring whether or not it is effective or safe for consumption. So, to avoid being scammed, ensure that the supplement you are buying is from a brand with a reputation. Reputable and established brands are keen on maintaining their reputation and so, they are committed to producing high-quality and safe supplements.
Quantity and Size: Size and quality are also something worth considering because everyone wants value for their money. Since the studies have shown that you need to take the supplement for about 3-6 months before showing results, then you need a package with a good number of capsules.

Explore Top Supplement Formulated with Saw Palmetto

What Other Key Health Benefits Does Saw Palmetto Offer to the Body?

Apart from supporting prostate health, saw palmetto has been found to offer other health benefits to the body. Some of these benefits are discussed below:

Combat hair loss

Saw palmetto supplementation has been suggested as an alternative for combating hair loss, at least according to some studies.

It has been found to reduce the amount of DHT that reaches the hair follicles, hence decreasing the ability of DHT to bind particular hormone receptors, a process that is believed to reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.

Improvement of urinary tract function

Difficulty in urinating is one of the urinary tract symptoms common in aging men. This urinary symptom has been associated with BPH and results in a decrease in urine flow which most often causes irritation and discomfort. Supplementation of saw palmetto has been found to improve urinary tract function.

Decrease inflammation

Saw palmetto has also been found to reduce inflammation, thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in The Prostate Journal found saw palmetto berry extract to have the potential to reduce swelling and other markers of inflammation.

Safety and Side Effects

Saw palmetto has been studied and found to be a safe and well-tolerated medicinal herb extract with minor or rare side effects.

The only primary side effect associated with taking saw palmetto in humans is gastrointestinal distress which according to health experts, is a minor side effect that can be eliminated by taking the saw palmetto with a meal.

Dosage and How to Take It?

Herbal medication products available for purchase over the counter are likely not to produce the same results as those utilized in clinical studies, so, they may produce varied results.

Again, there is no clinically effective dosage for saw palmetto due to limited research. Also, most herbal medications in the United States are not standardized and so, their dosage is likely to vary.

However, a number of clinical studies have utilized a dosage of 160 milligrams or 320 milligrams once every day.

A Vancouver, Washington-based naturopathic Dr. Alicia McCubbins, recommends taking 330 milligrams of saw palmetto extract in the form of tablets or capsules every day depending on an individual’s health goals or symptoms.

If you are not sure how much you should take per day, you can talk to a professional health provider who is knowledgeable about medicinal herbs to give you guidance on this.

FAQs

Does Saw Palmetto Really Help the Prostate?

Saw palmetto has been studied and found to have positive effects on different aspects of body health including prostate health.

This medicinal herb is said to have an active compound that can help improve prostate health by helping maintain healthy testosterone levels, decreasing DHT levels, and blocking 5-alpha reductase activity.

A good number of health experts have also recommended the use of this medicinal herb for managing a number of health concerns including prostate health.

Also, the overwhelmingly positive reviews available online across different websites are indications that this medicinal herb can actually help improve prostate health.

Is It Safe to Take Saw Palmetto Every Day?

According to various studies, palmetto has been found to be a safe and well-tolerated herb with minor to rare side effects, meaning that it is safe to take it daily provided that you adhere to the recommended dosage.

Who Should Not Take Saw Palmetto?

According to some studies, the herb has been found to have effects similar to those of some hormones and has also been found to interfere with iron absorption. It is for these reasons that expectant and nursing mothers are advised to keep off supplements with saw palmetto.

Generally, palmetto’s risk and safety on pregnant or breastfeeding mothers has not been conclusively studied so it will be safe if women in these conditions don’t take the supplement to minimize unforeseen health risks.

How Long Should I Wait to See Results?

Several studies have assessed the benefits of saw palmetto and found the earliest period you can see noticeable results to be between 3-6 months.

However, it is possible that some people may experience maximum health benefits until 12-24 months of treatment.

This means that results are likely to vary depending on the severity of the health condition and the body’s ability to respond to the treatment.

When Should I Take Saw Palmetto Morning Or Night?

You can take saw palmetto at once or divide it up so that you take it in the morning and evening if you are targeting to improve your prostate health.

According to feedback from users, most of them take saw palmetto twice a day in the morning after breakfast and evening after dinner and they claim to have worked well for them.

Final Thoughts on Saw Palmetto for Prostate Health

Based on various studies as we have seen above, palmetto appears to be an effective and reliable medicinal herb for managing prostate health. It has been found to be safe and well tolerated with minor or rare side effects.

Saw palmetto is the best option for those looking for a supplement to manage their prostate health. Besides supporting prostate health, this medicinal herb also offers other extra health benefits that will help improve your body’s overall health and well-being.

Also, most saw palmetto supplements are pocket-friendly, meaning that you don’t have the break the bank in order to afford it.