Benefits Of Saw Palmetto For Prostate Health

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto is a palm plant native to the Southeast Coast of North America and the West Indies. The plant is being promoted as a medicinal herb because of its ability to treat various health conditions. Its ripe berries have been found to contain healing properties, making it one of the common ingredients in various health supplements.

Just like in traditional medicine, saw palmetto extract berries are still one of the common ingredients in dietary supplements for the prostate. The manufacturers of saw palmetto supplements for prostate health claim that the herb helps to ease and improve BPH symptoms and treat other prostate-related health conditions.

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According to Mike Adams, Urologist Saw palmetto has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, particularly for prostate health. Today, its extract is a common ingredient in supplements designed to alleviate BPH symptoms and support overall prostate function.

How Saw Palmetto Supports Prostate Health

The benefits of saw palmetto extract are immense. It works to support prostate health by reducing BPH symptoms like lowering the amount of pressure in the urinary tubes in males, thus reducing the urge for frequent urination, burning sensation during urination, and difficulty in starting urination and emptying the bladder.

The medicinal properties of saw palmetto berries can also prevent prostate surgery-related complications and can also help treat other prostate conditions. Saw palmetto can aid in the shrinking of an enlarged prostate and reduce inflammation in the prostate, thus easing the discomfort that comes with such symptoms.

This medicinal herb is also said to prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Just like testosterone, DHT also plays a crucial role in both physiological processes and sexual functions in men’s bodies.

However, high levels of DHT in the body can have a significant negative impact on these processes and functions. Various health issues, including prostate problems, have been found to increase DHT levels in the body. So, by managing BPH, you prevent DHT levels from increasing.

In our research, we discovered an insightful video featuring Dr. Janine! 🌿 Dive into the science behind Saw Palmetto and how it blocks 5-alpha reductase, promotes hair health, and alleviates BPH symptoms while enhancing sexual function. Watch it now!

Scientific Evidence on Saw Palmetto’s Effectiveness

Saw palmetto health benefits claims like treating BPH symptoms, improving urine flow, increasing testosterone levels, and reducing DHT have been supported by a number of research and clinical trials.

Research published in American Family Physician notes that saw palmetto is an herbal product with the potential to treat BPH symptoms. The active compound from the fruit of the American dwarf palm tree was found to have similar effectiveness to that of finasteride medication, only that it is less expensive and well-tolerated.

Also, according to a study published in Review in Urology, supplementation of saw palmetto was found to improve urinary flow as well as mild to moderate BPH symptoms without increasing the size of the prostate.

Another research study published in Acta Pharmacolica Sinica shows that patients receiving treatment with saw palmetto showed a significant increase in testosterone levels and a decrease in DHT levels in the prostate tissue region.

Potential Health Benefits Beyond the Prostate

While saw palmetto is promoted as a prostate dietary supplement, its health benefits go beyond prostate health management. Other saw palmetto extract benefits include:

• Sexual health support: Saw palmetto has been found to improve sexual health by improving libido and erectile function to prevent erectile dysfunction in men, making it ideal for men experiencing sexual dysfunction associated with BPH. As a sexual support supplement, it helps enhance vitality and overall sexual performance.

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• Improved urinary function: Saw palmetto helps to lower the amount of pressure in the urine tubes, making it easy for men to control the flow of urine.
• Prevention of hair loss: Saw palmetto can help prevent loss of hair/baldness in men, thanks to its ability to prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High levels of DHT have led to hair loss, and its reduction can prevent baldness.

Saw palmetto supplements are generally worth adding to your health regimen because of their broad approach to health and wellness. It has diverse health benefits that you can maximize to achieve an all-around healthy body.

For even more ways to support men’s health through diet, check out our guide to the important nutrients every man should include in his diet. This resource covers key vitamins and minerals that help maintain prostate health, support hormone balance, and promote overall vitality.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Saw palmetto is available in numerous over-the-counter forms, often combined with other medicinal herbs or dietary supplements. According to research published in Clinical Research and Information on Drugs, there were no more frequent side effects among randomized controlled trials with saw palmetto than placebo therapy. The ingredients are well-tolerated with zero to rare, if any, mild side effects, like:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

Saw palmetto side effects for women have also been pointed out. For instance, saw palmetto is said to have similar effects to those of some hormones and can also interfere with the absorption of iron, making it not ideal for pregnant and breastfeeding women. It has also been found to interfere with the efficiency of birth control pills, meaning that women using pills as a contraceptive option should avoid using saw palmetto.

Saw palmetto can affect the ability of the blood to clot and increase the risk of bleeding. So, you should avoid it when using anticoagulants (medication that prevents blood clotting) or when planning for medical procedures like surgery or dental work.

Recommended Dosage and Usage

Guidelines on dosage on usage may vary across manufacturers or brands, and depending on the condition you are treating. If you are targeting BPH, a publication in the National Center for Biotechnology Information recommends 320 mg of saw palmetto extract as the daily intake amount or dosage.

According to various sources of information, it will take about 3-6 months to start experiencing results, with maximum health benefits being noticed between 12-24 months. However, how long it will take to see results will depend on the individual, the severity of the BPH condition, and supplement usage consistency.

According to a publication in the Journal of Urology, treatment with a standard dosage of 320 mg per day consistently for 3 months showed improvement.

Saw palmetto dietary supplements exist in various forms, including capsules, tablets, and liquid tincture. Some studies suggest taking the oily liquid extract, claiming that it is the most commonly studied form.

Saw Palmetto vs. Other Prostate Health Supplements

Saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, and Pygeum are all plant-based and traditionally used to treat BPH. However, compared to customer ratings, saw palmetto happens to be the preferred supplement for prostate health compared to the two.

Across various online platforms, both supplements seem to have caught the attention of many users. However, saw palmetto happens to be the most popular dietary supplement with an average star rating of 5 out of 5 stars on a good number of platforms, while both beta-sitosterol and Pygeum supplements had an average star rating of 4.5 and 4.4 out of 5 stars, respectively.

When it comes to efficiency and ease of use, the three dietary supplements seem to be well-received in the market, meaning that they all stand a chance as the best option for managing BPH. However, the positive review for saw palmetto surpasses that of Pygeum and beta-sitosterol supplements, which means that most users prefer saw palmetto.