Saw Palmetto Berries
Saw palmetto extract is taken from the purple berries of the saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), a fan palm native to North America. Saw palmetto berries are loaded with sterols and fatty acids, which is where most of its therapeutic benefits come from. These highly nutritious berries can be eaten in its natural berry form, but saw palmetto extract can also be taken in capsule, dried berry, tincture and tablet forms.
Benefits of Saw Palmetto Berries
The health benefits of saw palmetto have been known for thousands of years. Among them are the following:
Treats Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
As men get older, the prostate gland can become inflamed or enlarged, which ultimately results in urinary problems, bladder infections and bladder stones. This debilitating condition is known as BPH. Research shows that saw palmetto inhibits the growth and reproduction of prostatic cells, thereby preventing prostate enlargement. In a 2012 study conducted in Switzerland, 82 patients took one capsule of 320 milligrams saw palmetto extract daily for 8 weeks.[1] At the end of the treatment, the International Prostate Symptom Score of the study participants had improved and physical examination confirmed good efficacy of the treatment. In addition, the study participants reported no adverse side effects of saw palmetto, suggesting that the treatment is safe and effective for BPH.
Lowers Prostate Cancer Risk
A 2007 study conducted at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Beijing found that saw palmetto was able to suppress the growth and reproduction of several human prostate cancer cell lines by inducing cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death of malignant cells.[2] This finding strongly suggests that regular saw palmetto berries consumption can significantly lower one’s risk of prostate cancer.
Treats Hair Loss
There is strong scientific evidence that saw palmetto can be used as an effective hair growth agent. In one study conducted at the Clinical Research and Development Network in Colorado, researchers observed that men aged 18-48 years, who used saw palmetto lotion and shampoo for three months had a significant increase in hair density.[3]
Treats Urinary Symptoms
Saw palmetto can be beneficial in various urinary problems. In fact, a review of 18 clinical trials published in the Journal of American Medical Association suggests that saw palmetto is effective in improving urological symptoms and urine flow.[4] The review included 18 randomized trials with almost 3,000 male participants. According to the review, 28% of men taking saw palmetto had fewer urinary tract symptoms, 24% had improvement in peak urine flow and 43% of the study participants had significant improvement in overall urine flow.
Improves Sexual Function
Because saw palmetto prevents the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the body retains normal levels of testosterone. In a case study reported in the American Journal of Medicine, researchers found that by increasing testosterone counts of patients, an improvement in libido, erection and sexual function can be achieved.[5] This strongly suggests that the ability of saw palmetto to boost testosterone levels can help improve sexual function in men.
References:
- Suter A, Saller R, Riedi E, Heinrich M. Improving BPH symptoms and sexual dysfunctions with a saw palmetto preparation? Results from a pilot trial. Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2013; 27(2):218-26.
- Yang Y, Ikezoe T, Zheng Z, Taguchi H, Koeffler HP, Zhu WG. Saw Palmetto induces growth arrest and apoptosis of androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells via inactivation of STAT 3 and androgen receptor signaling. International journal of oncology. 2007; 31(3):593-600.
- Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.). 2002; 8(2):143-52.
- Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, MacDonald R, Lau J, Mulrow C. Saw Palmetto Extracts for Treatment of Benign Prostatic HyperplasiaA Systematic Review. JAMA. 1998;280(18):1604–1609. doi:10.1001/jama.280.18.1604.
- Available from http://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(11)00274-9/fulltext.
