Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a shrub-like palm native to the southeast coast of the United States. It grows to a height of 6 to 10 feet and is characterised by thorn-shaped leaves that are arranged like a fan. Historically, it was used to ease urinary and reproductive problems. Today, saw palmetto is extremely popular in Europe where herbal preparations represent approximately one-third of total sales of all therapeutic agents sold for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The purified extract of saw palmetto contains around 85-90% fatty acids and phytosterols, with an abundance of carotenoids, lipases, tannin, sugars and fatty acids such as caprylic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and beta-sitosterol². Saw palmetto has been scientifically proven to relieve urinary symptoms, inflammation and prostate disease. The saw palmetto berries can either be eaten whole directly, dried to make tea, or consumed in capsule or tablet form.
Saw palmetto is rich in fatty acids. It possesses anti-androgenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties that bring benefit to overall urinary health in men and women. The individual fatty acids such as lauric, linoleic, myristic and oleic acids have an inhibitory effect on 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)³˒⁶. It inhibits prostate enlargement caused by DHT androgen as well as relieves irritation and obstructive symptoms of dysuria caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Besides, acid lipophilic compounds of saw palmetto extract also exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the biosynthesis of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase metabolites. It is demonstrated that saw palmetto helps to slow down prostate cell proliferation by stimulating apoptosis and inhibiting fibroblast growth factor⁴.
Double-blind placebo-controlled research showed improvement in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms after a daily intake of 320mg saw palmetto extract over 12 weeks⁵. Moreover, a clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) indicates that consuming saw palmetto 160mg orally twice daily for 12 weeks improves NIH Chronic Prostatitis Index (NIH-CPSI) score⁷.
In general, saw palmetto is well tolerated and adverse effects are mild and infrequent. The most common adverse effects include abdominal pain, constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, rhinitis and vomiting.
There is currently no established effective dosage for saw palmetto. The common dose that has been used is 320–960mg daily.
In general, saw palmetto is well tolerated and adverse effects are mild and infrequent. The most common adverse effects include abdominal pain, constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, rhinitis and vomiting.
There is currently no established effective dosage for saw palmetto. The common dose that has been used is 320–960mg daily.
The material is prepared for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a piece of personal medical advice. Owing to each person’s varying health needs, a physician should be consulted before acting on any information provided in this material. Although every effort is made to ensure that this material is accurate, it is compiled for internal use only and should not be considered definitive. Neither VitaHealth nor its employees, or information providers shall be responsible or liable for any errors, inaccuracies, or other defects in the information contained in this publication.
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a shrub-like palm native to the southeast coast of the United States. It grows to a height of 6 to
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