What is saw palmetto extract good for?
Role in hair research
Specifically, research has been able to pinpoint how saw palmetto blocks the activity of a particular enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT, which is directly associated with hair loss.
By reducing this conversion, which in turn reduces the amount of DHT that is able to bind to hormone receptors, saw palmetto is studied for its effect on hair loss.
It has been reported that saw palmetto supplements were associated with changes in hair count, hair quality and hair density, by 27%, 60% and 83% respectively, in people that were suffering from hair loss.
Hormone function
This same enzyme-blocking mechanism is studied for its effect on overall testosterone levels, which naturally decline with age.
Prostate health
Saw palmetto has also been studied for symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH, which is a condition that causes an enlarged prostate, resulting in decreased urinary flow. Studies have looked at whether saw palmetto reduces inflammation in the prostate, and at urinary tract constriction.
It is also studied for the prostate overall, including in BPH and prostate cancer research.
When should I take saw palmetto extract?
While there is no specific time of day that seems best suited for taking saw palmetto, it is generally recommended to take the extract with a meal, in order to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset or other side effects.
One of the specific reasons for this is that saw palmetto contains free fatty acids, which could cause stomach irritation.
What else pairs well with saw palmetto extract?
Also taken with selenium and lycopene, for prostate health
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a debilitating condition which involves the prostate becoming enlarged to the point where urinary flow is restricted.Saw palmetto has also been studied with selenium and lycopene for symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia, such as reduced urinary flow, and research shows that improvements in this regard can take several months to appear, with the studies lasting between six to twelve months.
Also taken with nettle root, for prostate health
Nettle root extract is also studied in this area, and studies have looked at taking both saw palmetto extract and nettle root extract as part of the same routine.Also taken with astaxanthin, for testosterone levels
Another study reported higher testosterone when saw palmetto was combined with astaxanthin, which is why the pair also features in hair loss and libido research.Also taken with pygeum, for prostate health and BPH
Saw palmetto extract and pygeum are taken together because between them they cover prostate health, BPH and hair health, with each one carrying a different part of that job.What are natural sources of saw palmetto extract?
Saw palmetto is a low, sprawling fan palm that creeps across the sandy pine scrub of Florida, Georgia and the Gulf coast. The useful part is the fruit, a dark berry that ripens in autumn, and the fatty acids and plant sterols that supplements are derived from come from that oily berry flesh.
The berry is a herbal ingredient rather than a kitchen fruit, tough and bitter, and a handful of berries yields little oil, which is why the extract presses the dried fruit into a concentrated dose, the only real viable way of ingesting the compounds in any meaningful quantity.
Who should avoid taking saw palmetto extract?
Before taking saw palmetto extract supplements, check with your trusted healthcare professional if any of the following apply to you:
- Hormone-sensitive conditions
Saw palmetto is taken for prostate symptoms because it influences androgen signalling, and that same activity is why a personal or family history of a hormone-sensitive cancer such as breast or prostate is the situation where a daily extract belongs in a specialist's view. The trials in benign prostate enlargement were short, and none of them answers the hormone question.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional if you are suffering from any health conditions.
Possible side effects of saw palmetto extract
Possible side effects from taking saw palmetto extract supplements may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Headache
- Reduced libido
If you are experiencing negative side effects from taking saw palmetto extract supplements, stop taking them immediately and reach out to your trusted healthcare professional.
Drug interactions with saw palmetto extract
The medicines listed below are the ones most often named in interaction reports for saw palmetto extract, but it is by no means a comprehensive list:
- Blood thinners
- Hormone therapy
Blood-thinning medication
Saw palmetto could potentially interfere with blood-thinning medication, so it is advised to take these separately, at least two hours apart, in order to avoid this.If you are taking any prescription drugs or medication, check with your trusted healthcare professional before taking saw palmetto extract supplements.
Can I take saw palmetto extract while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no human pregnancy trials, and the anti-androgen effect is the reason it's left out from any pregnancy supplement routines, so the best course of action is to avoid it entirely.
Remember to always discuss any vitamins or supplements with your trusted healthcare professional while pregnant or breastfeeding, or while attempting to conceive.
Where should I store saw palmetto extract?
For optimal shelf life, it is recommended to keep saw palmetto extract supplements stored in the cupboard. Always make sure the bottle or container is tightly closed, and kept away from sources of light, heat and humidity.
Saw palmetto extract data sources & further reading
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