What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto (also known as Serenoa repens) is a small palm tree that produces berries that have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Native to Central and South America, palmetto grows in subtropical climates and can grow for 500-700 years. Native Native Americans used the berries for food, health benefits, and collected the leaves to weave household items.

Today, saw palmetto is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine and as a dietary supplement can support a variety of health benefits, from hair growth to prostate gland function.

 Please continue reading to learn about the proven benefits of Saw Palmetto

May help prevent hair loss

Hair loss is most common with age, can affect both men and women, and factors such as genetics, hormonal changes and medical conditions can play a role.

When our DHT hormone levels increase we usually suffer from hair loss. DHT is a sex hormone that we get by converting testosterone and it regulates sex organs and body fat. However, DHT can shrink hair follicles and shorten the growth cycle, causing thinning and brittle hair to fall out faster.

We normally convert 10% of our testosterone to DHT so the higher our testosterone levels, the higher levels of DHT we produce. Men generally have higher testosterone levels than women and are more prone to hair loss, with the most common female pattern balding patches being thinning hair.

Studies have shown that saw palmetto can reduce hair loss in two ways. It can block the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT, and it can reduce the use of DHT by hair follicles. If you have high levels of testosterone or DHT, saw palmetto extract can help your body maintain healthy levels and reduce the chance of hair loss.

May reduce inflammation

A study of saw palmetto showed that the herb has anti-inflammatory properties. The experiment was carried out on rats with an enlarged prostate and the effect of saw palmetto extract reduced inflammation and swelling.

Research on anti-inflammatory properties for humans is still limited.

May support urinary function

Urinary dysfunction, such as difficulty urinating, pain or incontinence, can affect older people. The medical condition, benign prostatic hyperplasia, can cause an enlarged prostate and cause urinary tract symptoms that affect urine flow.

Saw palmetto can relieve pressure on the tubes responsible for urine flow and can be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. A 12-week study concluded that increasing urine flow showed saw palmetto benefits in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms.

Benefits of Saw Palmetto for Men

May improve prostate health

The prostate gland sits between the bladder and the penis and regulates urinary tract function and sperm health. Some men may experience an enlarged prostate as they age, and although research is inconclusive about the cause, there are suggestions that it is influenced by changes in hormone levels.

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia causes urinary tract problems that can be treated with saw palmetto. Studies show that saw palmetto supports healthy prostate function based on the mechanism of butt activity.

It is recommended that those suffering from an enlarged prostate see a healthcare provider to rule out prostate cancer.

May support testosterone levels

Testosterone levels can control muscle mass, sex drive, brain function and mood, but levels can decline with age. Just as it benefits hair growth, saw palmetto benefits testosterone levels by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and reducing the amount it converts to DHT. Taking palmetto supplements may have health benefits to help stabilize testosterone levels as men age.

Benefits of saw palmetto for women

Helps reduce hirsutism symptoms

Hirsutism is a condition affecting women that causes excessive dark hair growth on the face, back and chest. It can affect many women, especially those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

While DHT hormone levels will shrink scalp hair follicles, it has the opposite effect on body hair. Studies show that women with PCOS convert testosterone to DHT at a higher frequency than those without, making them more susceptible to hirsutism.

Therefore, saw palmetto’s benefits in blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme should help reduce DHT levels in women with hirsutism.

Relieve symptoms of PCOS

Women with PCOS have high levels of the hormone estrogen. This in turn will affect the balance of LH and FSH hormones which are essential for a healthy menstrual cycle.

The effects of saw palmetto can regulate progesterone receptors and help lower estrogen levels to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

How to take Saw Palmetto

The most widely accessible form is a saw palmetto supplement you can add to your daily diet. Often it is mixed with other complimentary ingredients traditionally used in Western herbal medicine and the recommended daily amount is 160-320mg.

There are saw palmetto herbal blend teas and saw palmetto extracts available in the market but the dosages will differ.

You should always consult your healthcare provider before taking dietary supplements to ensure they do not interact with other medications. Saw palmetto supplements should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding individuals as well as those receiving hormone replacement therapy.

saw palmetto side effects

Like all herbs and minerals, saw palmetto can have some side effects that will affect individuals differently:

dizziness

nausea

headache

Constipation