Saw palmetto is widely accepted in Europe for treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) - an enlargement of the prostate. About half of men above 50 years are affected with BPH. BPH is hormonally driven and results from a rise in the compound dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and a drop in testosterone level. Studies found the effects of saw palmetto are the inhibition of the actions of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase that signals the male hormone to convert into DHT.
First uses of saw palmetto
The first people to use saw palmetto were the Native Americans who used saw palmetto berries as staple during the winter months. During this period of taking saw palmetto, older men felt an improvement in the frequency of nighttime urination. The effects of saw palmetto are mostly associated with the bladder and urinary tract while the natives used the extracts for the treatment of nocturia, enuresis, impotence, infertility, atrophy of the testes, inflammation of the prostate, reduced sexual functions, pelvic cramps, and problems in lactation.
Today, the effects of saw palmetto are not only confined to health. Its growing demand consequently is making a $50 million dollar business out of exporting 2,000 tons of saw palmetto annually to Europe where it’s most popular.
Berry healthy claims
Saw palmetto is regarded as a potent herb that helps promote a healthy prostate especially in older men. In some clinical trials, the effects of saw palmetto extract seemingly did not interfere with the release of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) - an indication of prostate cancer.
Some clinical trials produced contrasting results on the effects of saw palmetto. A three-year trial in Germany (data not available for the number of participants) reported an improvement in urination of 73% of patients. Contrastingly in a 2006 study, 225 men with moderate to severe BPH took 160mg saw palmetto extract twice daily for one year but reported no significant difference in their condition. This study was co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
The effects of saw palmetto on BPH lie mainly in treating and the remission of its symptoms. Studies have not produced conclusive evidences showing saw palmetto extract can aggressively shrink the size of an enlarged prostate. Moreover, the public is warned that saw palmetto remains unregulated by the FDA despite the clamor of its efficacy. It’s best to seek advice from a professional health practitioner before taking any herbal supplements.
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Saw Palmetto Side Effects - Be Warned!
... and authenticity of saw palmetto products out there. Especially in buying a saw palmetto product in the Internet - be aware of being caught in the website's well-worded ads that would lure you to try out its saw palmetto products. One should remember that aside from the risk of buying fake saw palmetto products, one may also be led to purchase saw palmetto products lines of a different formulation - and of a different potency. Some are even combined with other herbal ingredients - that in themselves have not been sufficiently evaluated for its medicinal benefits - and this becomes a serious matter and one that could possibly have adverse effects on your health. Looking Beyond Saw Effects Of Saw Palmetto Palmetto Side Effects It is a fact that like most alternative...
Effects Of Saw Palmetto On Women
... prostate hyperplasia or BPH through inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT which is one of the main causes for prostate gland enlargement (BPH); thus, since Saw Palmetto is a "DHT inhibitor", it has been "assumed" to work well with hirsutism as well. These assumed effects of Saw Palmetto on women with hirsutism have not been confirmed nor have there been documented studies to back up the claims. In the case of bust enhancement effects of Saw Palmetto on women; these are simply based on companies who have created the product for that purpose; but again, no proper scientific investigation or research have been done to support the "said effects". Whether there be a real effect on women's breast, particularly enlarging it, it would still be safer with further professional tests before the product is recommended for that use. Like any other product taken as a medication or supplement, side effects may be present and the...
Combination Of Saw Palmetto And Propecia
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Side Effects Of Taking Saw Palmetto
... as a treatment for BPH have tolerated well and have had no side effects, some people has claimed side effects of taking Saw Palmetto. Some commonly reported side effects of taking Saw Palmetto include upset stomach, mild dizziness, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Very little complaints on sexual dysfunction, as well as low sex drive have been reported as some of the side effects of taking Saw Palmetto. However, in documented scientific literature, side effects of taking Saw Palmetto has been established, among which commonly involves the intestines and stomach. These side effects include nausea, stomach pain, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, or bad breath. An upset stomach caused by taking Saw Palmetto may be reduced through taking the herb with food. The side effects of taking Saw Palmetto may not be entirely brought about by the product, but it is Effects Of Saw Palmetto always essential that people planning to take the product for...
Comparison Of Saw Palmetto To Finasteride
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Saw palmetto Dietary Supplements
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Saw Palmetto for Hair Regrowth
... palmetto, though not an active ingredient to actually stimulate hair to grow, can help in the process of letting the growth of hair take its natural cycle. Saw palmetto for hair regrowth claims to work by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Doing so will help prevent the formation of DHT. Also, it blocks the receptors so that DHT could not attach in the hair follicles - and hopefully prevent hair loss from occurring. Saw Palmetto for Hair Regrowth - How Real Is It? Saw palmetto was popularized by its use on BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). There were claims of its effectiveness in giving remedy to the symptoms associated with BPH. Saw palmetto is believed to address the Type II 5-alpha-reductase enzyme found mainly in the prostate. Saw palmetto for hair regrowth addresses the Type I 5-alpha-reductase enzyme found in the skin and scalp. It is said to block this enzyme to interact...
What Is Saw Palmetto? And Answers To More Questions About It
It was then considered a staple food. These aborigines or Indians on that time stored their dried saw palmetto fruits to serve as their food source for longer periods of time. It has also been believed that the Mayans took saw palmetto as a tonic. The Seminoles made use of the Effects Of Saw Palmetto berries as antiseptic. It clearly had evidences of health benefits even during these earlier parts of history. What is saw palmetto - What are its health benefits? Aside from BPH, saw palmetto has been shown to have some positive effects with those having an under-active bladder, chronic pelvic pain syndrome and hair loss. There are even more claims of saw palmetto's healing wonders but have not been conclusively shown through formal medical studies. What is saw palmetto - What are its side effects? Saw palmetto, like any other medicine - either it be official prescription medicine or alternative medicine - have side effects that result from such use. The side effects though are found to occur very...
Saw Palmetto Side Effects
... for BPH treatment as they have not gotten evidence that proves them effective. Nonetheless, preparations of Saw Palmetto are broadly put on the market as "dietary supplements". The berries Effects Of Saw Palmetto of Saw Palmetto have been found to contain plant sterol composite and free fatty acids identified as sitosterols or phytosterols, particularly beta-sitos-terol and several other related chemicals, which show to alter estrogen receptors and obstruct testosterone conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a much active chemical. A minimum of seven controlled studies have revealed the berry extracts of Saw Palmetto to be better than that of placebo for treatment of BHP symptoms. There is however a few Saw Palmetto side effects, which have been distinguished in documented scientific literature. Among the most common Saw Palmetto side effects involve the intestines and stomach, which includes nausea, stomach pain, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, or bad breath. An upset stomach...
Saw Palmetto Products
... in the U.S. while most of its known benefits are not supported by conclusive data. For saw palmetto products to have at least notable effect and reduce symptomatic problems, a daily dose of 160mg-320mg is recommended for a period of 1 months or more. These saw palmetto products contain amounts of saw palmetto fatty acids in capsules or softgel: Nature's Way Standardized Saw Palmetto Extract has 160 mg/softgel from Nature's Way sold at $12-$19 for a bottle of 30 softgel capsules. Some saw palmetto products are combined with other herbal extracts such as the Pygeum and Saw Palmetto with CranActin available through Solaray. Saw Palmetto Extract from Pure and Natural is prepared in 160mg softgels, which contains 85-95% standardized extract. The packaging with this dosage is in bottles of 60 and 180 that cost $8.99 and $16.99, respectively. The higher doses Effects Of Saw Palmetto (in 320mg softgels) are in bottles of 30 and...
Hair Loss Treatment With Saw Palmetto Dosage Of The Right Amount
... your doctor. The right dosage is necessary in treating effectively your condition, and of course Effects Of Saw Palmetto in consideration of your health safety. There have been studies released that recognize the effects of hair loss treatment with saw palmetto dosage combined with other substances. Such is the combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol is a compound that can be found in edible plants. Such combination is seen to have good potential in treating male pattern baldness. These hair loss treatment with saw palmetto dosage integrated with other substances may work well. Just make sure you know what these other substances are. If these substances have been evaluated to be safe and works well in combination with saw palmetto - then you may just have the perfect one to effectively control hair loss. Do not take these other substances lightly,...
Medical Information On Saw Palmetto
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Saw Palmetto Contraindications
... the side effects and interactions with other medicines are always considered. There have been cases wherein interactions of different drugs resulted to risks in one's health - even to one's life. As with saw palmetto use, it is Effects Of Saw Palmetto important that the necessary precautions are observed, and all essential factors are considered before use. Saw palmetto contraindications must be known and must be identified, so that one will be properly guided on the safe use of the herb. Saw palmetto contraindications include the avoidance of this herb with pregnant and nursing women. Since this herb is not well studied, its effect on one's baby are not known - it may very well not have any effect but one must not risk finding out at the baby's expense. Consideration of saw palmetto contraindications is vital as its use in combination with Coumadin. Coumadin is a blood thinning medication, and is known to have many interactions with other drugs, herbs,...
Saw Palmetto Supplement
... and Africa as well. For some time, American-Indians regarded this palm-like plant as a staple until the discovery of its medicinal abilities. An herb in itself, saw palmetto's uses Effects Of Saw Palmetto include treatments of symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition affects men approaching old age. While it is common for 60% of men to acquire this condition, some symptoms of BPH are similar to prostate cancer. The American Urological Association (AUA) gives a stern warning to people who resort to saw palmetto supplements as remedy for symptoms like frequent urination, voiding, overflow incontinence, and frequent nighttime urination. The continuous consumption of saw palmetto may mask the symptoms of prostate cancer, delaying medical attention. This is in the findings of several researches that revealed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in alleviating symptoms of BPH. Currently, saw palmetto supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA nor are they accepted as therapeutic...