What Makes Saw Palmetto A Healthier Supplement

Updated on March 17th, 2020
saw palmetto benefits

The Saw palmetto berries use for our body will surprise you. Saw palmetto supplements are often used to treat prostate problems, maintain hormonal balance, and prevent hair loss in men and women. Using Saw palmetto for men is effective in treating enlarged prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia, which affects nearly 40 % of men.

A Cochrane review is 2002 stated that Saw Palmetto was successful in treating Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)(1). This article will give you a clear picture of Saw Palmetto’s health benefits.

Nutritional Facts about Saw Palmetto

  • Saw Palmetto berry is made up of oil that has a variety of fatty acids which include capric, caprylic, caproic, lauric, palmitic and oleic acid and the ethyl esters.
  • Saw Palmetto oil has a high content of phytosterols (stigmasterol, lupeol, cycloartenol, beta-sitosterol and 24 methyl-cycloartenol)
  • It also contains resins, volatile oil, and tannin.
  • Saw palmetto helps produce p57 protein that decreases tumors.
  • Saw palmetto restricts 5-reductase, which is an enzyme that converts testosterone in DHT.

How Saw Palmetto Benefits our Health

1. Saw Palmetto Benefits in Curing UTI

You can use saw palmetto to reduce the symptoms of lower urinary tract infection, which includes bleeding during urination, painful urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and excessive urination.

A study conducted for 225 patients showed that those who supplemented with saw palmetto with lycopene, selenium were effective in treating lower tract urinary infection.

Saw palmetto increases the productivity and quality of life as it reduces the frequency of nighttime urination that causes insomnia and sleep deprivation.

[Read: Home remedies for Urinary Tract Infection(UTI)]

2. Saw Palmetto Benefits for Preventing Hair Loss

hair loss
Image:ShutterStock

Saw palmetto benefits by preventing hair loss, which can be caused by factors like medical conditions, genetics, blood thinners, or medications. It balances the hormonal; levels and prevents hair loss.

Research indicates that saw palmetto blocks the activity of 5-alpha reductase. It is an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone(2) (DHT) that is linked to hair loss.

3. Saw Palmetto Benefits Prostate Health in Men

A test-tube study stated that the extract from palmetto berries reduced the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Another study also revealed that palmetto blocked the growth and spreading of cancer cells as it deactivated the receptors involved in the development of cancer.

The prostate is a gland that’s situated between the penis in men and the bladder that maintains sperm health. Saw palmetto benefits men from the risk of prostate cancer and BPH.

[Read: Saw Palmetto for Women]

4. Saw Palmetto Benefits by Regulating Testosterone Levels

Testosterone Levels
Image:ShutterStock

Men prefer using Saw palmetto to boost testosterone levels in the body. Testosterone levels in a man’s body decline with age. Studies show that if you have low levels of testosterone can lead to heart diseases. This may impact the composition of the body, mood, sex drive, and cognition.

Saw palmetto works by decreasing the activity of 5a-aR. It is an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a sex hormone that helps in preserving the testosterone levels in the body.

A study observed 40 men being treated with saw palmetto, who showed a 32% decline in DHT levels in 6 months. This study suggests that saw palmetto is beneficial in maintaining testosterone levels.

[ Read: How to Boosting Testosterone With Natural Remedies? ]

How to Use and How Much to Use?

  • To utilize the saw palmetto benefits, you can take supplements that can be easily added to your routine.
  • You can also have soft gel, tablets, and capsules.
  • You can also consume it ground, dried, and tea form.

The recommended dosage of saw palmetto is 320 mg twice daily.

Side Effects and Precautions to be Undertaken

Now that you are aware of the Saw Palmetto health benefits, let us take a look at the side effects.

The side effects could be

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Constipation

Precautionary Measure:

  • Make sure your doctor is aware of your health conditions before you include Saw palmetto as a part of your diet.

Who Should Avoid Consuming It?

  • Pregnant women and breastfeeding moms must avoid consuming Saw Palmetto unless approved by the doctor.
  • Those undergoing hormone replacement therapy or are on contraceptive pills must abstain from consuming Saw Palmetto as it can alter the hormone levels of your body.
  • Those with cardiac health troubles and who are on blood thinners like Warfarin must avoid as it increases bleeding and can put you at risk.

Recent research has explained that Saw palmetto aids in treating many diseases. It has plenty of medicinal benefits as it balances testosterone levels, reduces inflammation, prevents hair loss, and reduces symptoms of urinary tract inflammation. It is available in many local stores in the form of supplements but makes sure you always buy from a reliable source.


FAQs

1. Is Saw Palmetto a Blood Thinner?

Saw Palmetto may cause thinning of your blood. So, people on blood thinners or prepping for surgery are advised not to consume this.

2. Can Women Take Saw Palmetto?

Yes. It is safe and beneficial when taken in a dosage of 160-320 mg.

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