The long history of saw palmetto traces back to the Native Americans who used it for food and as treatment for nocturia, enuresis, impotence, inflammation of the prostate, atrophy of the testes, infertility, reduced sexual functionality in men, menstrual cramps, and lactation problems. The Native Americans may well be the right persons to validate if saw palmetto is a fact or fiction.
Saw palmetto, with the Latin name serenoa repens, is a dwarf palm with olive-size fruits that turn purple-black when ripe. The active constituents of saw palmetto are locked in its berries, which contain liposterolic (fat-soluble) extracts with concentrated amounts of lauric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, phytosterols (plant sterols) and polysaccharides. There’s still a lack of explanation on how these essential fatty acids work in altering chemical and enzymatic actions in the prostate.
Previous studies, beginning in the mid-1980’s, came up with conclusive data confirming whether saw palmetto is a fact or fiction through its efficacy in treating symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In BPH, the urethra is blocked by an enlarged prostate resulting to frequent urination, urinary incontinence and urinary voiding. In
Germany, a three-year trial revealed whether saw palmetto is a fact or fiction. Patients who took 160mg of saw palmetto extract twice daily reduced their nighttime urination as effectively as finasteride.
Similar to the drug finasteride, the extract of saw palmetto aggressively shrinks the size of the prostate by inhibiting the actions of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that signals the testosoterone to convert into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes prostate cells to multiply abnormally. Whether any claim on saw palmetto is a fact or fiction, it is recommended as a potent alternative medicine that helps prevent prostate cancer by keeping the prostates healthy, without the undesirable side effects like loss of libido.
On the other hand, a 2006 study of 225 men who had moderate-to-severe BPH reported no improvement after one year with 320mg daily of saw palmetto versus placebo. This study was co-funded by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
Despite the clinical trials testing if saw palmetto is a fact or fiction, the herb remains unregulated by the US FDA along with other herbal supplements. The daily dosage of 320mg daily in divided doses is based on clinical trials. Saw palmetto is available in varied forms including softgel capsules, liquid extracts, tablets, as an infusion of other herbs or tea.
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Saw Palmetto And Hair Loss
... one dilemma remains, the product has not been proven for the use on hair loss problems, as well as unwanted hairs, and it still needs further controlled scientific investigations before it can be recommended for this alternative. The fact is, Saw Palmetto has been found to be effective in the treatment of benign phosphate hyperplasia or BPH, where it works as an inhibitor for testosterone to be converted to dihydrotestosterone or DHT; the same hormone that causes male/female- pattern baldness. People have assumed that since Saw Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? Palmetto inhibits DHT, then it can also work like the prescription drug Propecia (also inhibits DHT) that works well with hair loss. The connection between Saw Palmetto and hair loss has been very much debated, and it is something that's not simple. Saw Palmetto may inhibit DHT, and it is certainly a potent...
Prostate And Saw Palmetto: Finding The Connection
... in one way or the other benefited from the use of the herb. Ailing Prostate and Saw Palmetto Products For It An ailing prostate is in need of a cure and the necessary Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? treatment. After one has gone to his doctor for a check up, and if approved to use saw palmetto as an alternative approach in providing remedy for one's current condition, then one has to get his doctor's recommended saw palmetto product that is suited for the case at hand. One may also try checking out the site: www.consumerlab.com to have some idea on what saw palmetto products out there might be worthy of buying. If you should be able to find one that you think is right for you, you can then contact your doctor for final confirmation before proceeding to buy. Diseases...
Saw Palmetto For Blood Clotting In Surgery
... special precaution on saw palmetto for blood clotting in surgery. Saw palmetto is contraindicated in people who have bleeding problems or those taking medications that may raise the event of bleeding. Most importantly, saw palmetto for blood clotting in surgery is not advised due to a lack of conclusive data. Saw palmetto, likewise, has not been tested on pregnant and lactating women as well as children; therefore, the concerned individuals are warned from using it. The FDA Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? gives a stern warning that herbs including saw palmetto are potent. Saw palmetto for blood clotting in surgery is not a viable idea since it may contain the anticoagulant chemical warfarin that could interfere with coagulation. Saw palmetto may also react with other drugs...
Saw palmetto Dietary Supplements
... heals, that it will not be of any danger to your health. Health risks of saw palmetto use include gastrointestinal symptoms and headaches. There have also been reports of nausea, reduced libido and erectile dysfunction. There was also a case of significant bleeding during surgery, which was traced to saw palmetto use prior said operation. Also there may be health risks of saw palmetto use, when one is pregnant or breast-feeding. It should also be avoided for use on children. One should remember that saw palmetto has some effects on one's hormones, and the reason exactly why one should avoid the intake of this on cases mentioned above. There is always that potential for interactions with other drugs and medications, thus one should consider the health risks of saw palmetto use when one is on medication or is taking other drugs in the present time. This may pose some danger to one's health, and since...
Saw Palmetto Side Effects - Be Warned!
That is why one should always consult a doctor prior taking saw palmetto to treat any diseases it claims to cure, and know what other side effects that may be come about with such use. Saw palmetto products affect the hormones in one's body. Thus, one is also warned of the saw palmetto side effects that may result if it will be taken in, together with birth control pills, estrogen replacement products and other hormone based medicines. Treating Saw Palmetto Side Effects Side effects for this herb do not usually Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? require medical attention. But you should not take your case lightly, and always refer the condition experienced with such use to your physician - no matter how minor it may seem. Stop using saw palmetto while you get yourself checked-up by your doctor. Saw Palmetto Side Effects - Fake Pills & Less Potency Products One should be very careful in purchasing saw palmetto herbs out there in the market. While there are many legitimate establishments...
Saw Palmetto and Coumadin
... your taking of Coumadin will be approved. One may be either allowed to take it at limited dosages or completely not allowed at all. Saw Palmetto and Coumadin - A Dangerous Combination While not a lot has been studied about saw palmetto, Coumadin being a drug has undergone a more comprehensive study on its side effects and interactions with other forms of medication. Saw palmetto has not been known to have adverse reactions with other drugs, but Coumadin has. And while one may be in need of saw palmetto for one's prostate health, and Coumadin for blood thinning needs - saw palmetto and Coumadin together may just be risky for your case. Always ask your doctor on how taking these two together may affect your health. Saw palmetto...
The Right Dosage Of Saw Palmetto
... palmetto seemingly addressing a lot of health issues associated especially with men, the right dosage is required for each specific case - for each specific individual. The appropriate dosage of saw palmetto will be in order, so that an effective treatment will be attained. While some may doubt is full efficacy, many have also benefited from its use, with due consideration of the potency of the product and the right dosage of saw palmetto that is administered. Claims of treating prostate diseases, upper respiratory tract infection, asthma, sore throats, bronchitis, colds, hair loss, impotence, lack of energy and many more - have all been associated with the use of saw palmetto. Regardless of the absurdity of some claims, and the presence of conflicting claims, many still give saw palmetto a try. Some take heed on the history of this herb's use and base their belief of saw palmetto's healing claims on that. Saw palmetto's use is widespread in Europe. Chinese medicinal...
Saw Palmetto Herb
... urination. Although it is not surely known to reduce the prostate's size, it can help by reducing inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland - thus addressing the symptoms that come with BPH. Saw palmetto herb does this by inhibiting the testosterone effects on the prostate. There are also studies that show that saw palmetto herb can help in hair re-growth. It prevents male balding by stopping testosterone in converting into dihydrotestosterone or DHT - and by not allowing DHT to bind with androgen receptors. Some have also used saw palmetto herb to aid in muscle building. Others have also used it to increase libido, treat impotence and to increase sperm count. Saw palmetto herb is also believed to help those with thyroid deficiencies. Coughs, asthma, chest congestion and bronchitis are also...
Saw Palmetto For Weight Gain Purposes
... gaining significant pounds to reach their ideal body weight Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? - also turn to saw palmetto. Saw palmetto's berries are said to contain the wonders of this herb, and in these fruits have come about extracts that are used for one's medication. As also being claimed by some women, it has been of their belief that taking saw palmetto increases breast size. Some have held on to this belief, and have also become concerned of the herb's fattening effect along with this. Some who have just recovered from a major illness or are even still recovering, also take some dosage of the saw palmetto herb. As most patients coming from a major sickness have lowered their body weight, saw palmetto has also been considered to remedy this concern. With the intention of achieving a good state...
Combination Of Saw Palmetto And Propecia
The superfluous Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? assumption of Saw Palmetto also being effective for hair loss still has not been clinically proven and therefore needs further controlled scientific studies. The combination of Saw Palmetto and Propecia as a treatment for male-pattern hair loss has not yet been scientifically supported, although Saw Palmetto has been known to be a mild dietary supplement and no interactions with other drugs or herbs has been found or reported with it; but very small research has also been done to examine the effects of using the combination of Saw Palmetto and Propecia. Given that Saw Palmetto may possibly interfere with hormonal therapy or oral contraceptives, one should inform their physician if they're taking hormone medications before taking Saw Palmetto. The exact method of why and how Saw Palmetto functions is not well understood; it might...
Saw Palmetto Products
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 (in 320mg softgels) are in bottles of 30 and 90, which cost $7.99 and $17.99, respectively. Another saw palmetto product with a higher dose is manufactured by Sundown Herbals with a product name Standardized Saw Palmetto Extract (with berry) that contains 225 mg/capsule of saw palmetto extracts. For precautionary purposes, saw palmetto products have no known contraindications according to some research that have Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? not been completed yet. The common side effects in people taking saw palmetto products...
Hair Loss Treatment With Saw Palmetto Dosage Of The Right Amount
... not be absorbed there - Saw Palmetto Is A Fact Or Fiction? all work together to prevent hair loss. A hair loss treatment with saw palmetto dosage of appropriate quantity - in consideration of the specific potency of the saw palmetto product at hand, will do well in getting enough dose of the substance in one's system. One should take note that different branded saw palmetto products may come in different strengths - since the market still lacks control and the standardization of this. Getting a hair loss treatment with saw palmetto dosage of negligible amount may not work as effectively. One should be able to get the right dosage to prevent hair loss. As there are some multivitamin products that include saw palmetto substances into it, the dosage for saw palmetto may be so low that it can be of little or no effect to your intended purpose of hair loss prevention. ...
Medical Information On Saw Palmetto
... uses. Today, however, substantive medical information on saw palmetto is yet to be supported by research. Most data from research only indicate that saw palmetto has no known side effects in laboratory animals that were fed 2g/kg of the herb's extracts for six months. Medical information on saw palmetto, as noted by previous researches, back up common claims on the efficacy of saw palmetto extracts for the symptomatic treatment of BPH but data are insufficient to conclude its benefits in breast enlargement, improving sexual desires, body building, or treating symptoms of asthma and chronic bronchitis. The American Urological Association (AUA), a 9,500-member organization of urologists have warned that saw palmetto might mask symptoms of such diseases like prostate cancer or of the genitourinary system by inhibiting its symptoms like frequent urination, overflow incontinence, difficulty in initiating urination. The AUA have not released further medical information on saw palmetto to support admonitions saw palmetto supplements manufacturers. The AUA stresses that urinary tract...
Herbal Teas With Saw Palmetto
... weight on the combined health benefits of herbal teas with saw palmetto. Since there are hundreds of herbal plants, manufacturers may differ in the usage of herbal teas with saw palmetto. Happy Man Tea, available in www.mountainroseherbs.com is a decoction of various well-known herbal plants including saw palmetto intended to improve men's general health. The herbal plants used in this tea are all organic such as eleuthero root, dandelion root, nettle root, marshmallow root, burdock root, hawthorn berry, saw palmetto berry, fennel seed, oatstraw, as well as a pinch of stevia. Male Energy Tea with Black Cumin Seed is an energizing tea made with a blend of herbs like ginseng, yohimbe, ginkgo, black (cumin seed), green tea, damiana, echinacea, mint, rose hips, and saw palmetto. Available at www.herbalremedies.com. The featured herbal teas with saw palmetto are just some of the products that are a combination of saw palmetto and...
Saw Palmetto and Zinc
... Both saw palmetto and zinc are considered to have an effect on one's appetite. Saw palmetto is believed to enhance one's craving for food, and zinc plays a part in appetite regulation. And while saw palmetto has been attributed with its weight gain or tissue building effect, zinc is essential for one's growth and normal development. With the appropriate dosage of each, one is aided in attaining his or her ideal weight. Not contented with the many benefits these have already offered, saw palmetto and zinc also has influences on one's sexual drive. Saw palmetto is said to be an aphrodisiac, while zinc is essential for normal reproduction for both men and women. Both can help in giving one a healthier and happier sex life. For one to get the right dosage and to be sure of the safety in...