Saw palmetto is an herbal tree native to North America, and it is harvested and used for several particular health purposes. Here, we offer some background information of this herbal supplement, and examine four potential benefits of saw palmetto, which for the most part are aimed at men.
What Is Saw Palmetto?
Scientifically termed Serenoa repens, saw palmetto is a small tree native to the southeast coast of North America and the West Indies. It grows to a height of between six and 10 feet and produces miniature palm leaves, but it is the berries of saw palmetto that are harvested for their benefits to human health.
Research on the chemical profile of saw palmetto berries shows they contain fatty acids and phytosterols, and possess anti-inflammatory properties. A supplement made from the extracts of the fatty portions of the dried berries has been shown to provide the best benefits. These contain the highest amounts of the beneficial plant compounds mentioned previously, as well as vitamin E and other antioxidants.
In recent history, saw palmetto has been used for a few different purposes related to the health of the urinary system and other benefits as well. Medical research supports the efficacy of these benefits in a significant portion of people who take a saw palmetto supplement.
Benefits of Saw Palmetto
The following are summaries of four of saw palmetto’s health benefits as a natural remedy. A look at these potential benefits of saw palmetto:
Treating BPH is one of the leading potential benefits of saw palmetto. In men, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlargement of the prostate gland. This is usually associated with aging, and it is typically accompanied by a decrease in testosterone levels over time. BPH often leads to frequent or disrupted urination. Many men with BPH take saw palmetto because it has the potential to boost testosterone levels. As a result, saw palmetto might have the potential to help reduce the size of an enlarged prostate, and therefore reduce the symptoms that result from BPH.
Reducing inflammation: As stated previously, saw palmetto contains substances with anti-inflammatory effects. Some studies on saw palmetto provide evidence that it could reduce inflammation in the prostate. Physical markers of inflammation (interleukin 6) as well as swelling were both shown to be reduced by way of saw palmetto. Other studies pair the anti-inflammatory effect in the prostate with improved antioxidant status. The ability to reduce inflammation, along with the potential to support testosterone, makes saw palmetto a potentially worthwhile supplement for prostate health, especially in response to BPH.
Preventing hair loss is another unique benefit of saw palmetto. One explanation for this much sought-after effect, especially for men facing and dreading advancing baldness, is its beneficial effect on certain hormones. Saw palmetto has been shown to block the activity of an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a sex hormone that is linked to hair loss. Moreso, saw palmetto has been shown to improve the quality and density of hair. An oral form of a saw palmetto supplement could be an effective natural supplement for preventing air loss.
Treating chronic pelvic pain in men could also be achieved with saw palmetto. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is a condition in some men with hard-to-identify causes that can cause chronic pain, which interferes with daily life. Some research suggests that taking 160mg of saw palmetto extract daily can produce a clinically significant decrease in the symptoms associated with CPPS. The fatty acids contained in saw palmetto and their reducing effect on inflammation are likely the reason for this reduction in pain.
If you are a man who has experienced BPH, chronic pelvic pain, or male pattern hair loss, then an oral saw palmetto supplement is worth your consideration. As with any natural remedy, it is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking saw palmetto or any supplement for the first time.