I am not the strongest,
I am not the biggest,
I am not the fastest.
But,
I am the Healthiest!
A healthy man’s quote
Have you ever heard of Saw Palmetto?
Saw Palmetto is the name of a palm-like plant that bears dark-colored berries. Saw palmetto is abundantly found in various parts of the United States of America. In the olden days, the berries of Saw Palmetto were considered a staple food and medicine by native South Eastern Americans and were primarily used by men to increase libido.
Eventually, with in-depth research studies, it was found Saw Palmetto had various beneficial roles to play, particularly in the male body.
What are the benefits of Saw Palmetto?
Native Americans have been using Saw Palmetto for various other reasons apart from increasing libido in men, such as treating coughs, using it as a diuretic, and as a sedative.
The research studies found interesting effects in both men and women.
Promote healthy prostrate and prevent urinary tract infections in Men
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a condition that affects 75% of men over the age of 70 years.
It is a medical condition that leads to abnormal enlargement of the prostate, which is mostly noncancerous.
If left untreated, the enlarged size starts to interfere with normal urination flow and can lead to an increase in the frequency and uncontrollable urge to urinate, especially at night time, and a high risk of urinary tract infection.
Numerous studies have shown the positive effect of Saw Palmetto in the reduction of the frequency of urination in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Studies also found that a specific extract of Saw Palmetto called permixon was more effective in reducing nighttime urination.
However, there were also a few studies that claimed that they found no significant effect of Saw Palmetto in BPH conditions.
Prevent male baldness or hair loss.
Studies observed that Saw Palmetto can prevent androgenic alopecia (men's pattern baldness).
Saw Palmetto has been observed to block the enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that is responsible for hair loss. It is believed that DHT reduces the time span of the hair growth cycle, resulting in short growth and thinning of hair and rapid hair loss.
Thus, Saw Palmetto can be considered a preventive measure for men’s hair loss or baldness.
Chronic pelvic pain
Emerging studies reveal that Saw Palmetto can reduce the symptoms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is described as pain below the navel and between the hips that last for months or longer with no exact reason. More research studies, however, are required to establish saw palmetto as a well-accepted treatment for chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Can help in treating Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in women.
Women with PCOS have an excess of androgen hormones, also known as "male hormones." The testosterone hormone levels are observed to be the highest amongst the androgenic hormones in PCOS conditions.
Saw Palmetto reduces the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase that converts testosterone to DTH, the next powerful version of testosterone, responsible for worsening PCOS symptoms. Thus, Saw Palmetto can act as an anti-androgenic and can be used in the treatment of PCOS.
May act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agent.
Test tube studies showed that Saw Palmetto can possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, though more research in this regard is required.
What are the side effects of Saw Palmetto?
The side effects observed until now are minimal and reversible.
Saw Palmetto supplementation is associated with mild side effects like nausea, headache, and rarely vertigo, diarrhea, and vomiting.
It is important to note that Saw Palmetto cannot be recommended for certain medical conditions
Saw Palmetto is not recommended for patients who are on hormone replacement therapy and hormonal contraceptives.
Saw Palmetto can also interfere with blood thinners. Patients must consult their doctor before starting Saw Palmetto if they are taking blood thinners like warfarin or coumadin.
How to take Saw Palmetto?
Saw Palmetto is available in 3 forms.
Saw Palmetto berries are eaten whole or dried. They are used in the form of tea.
Dried and ground saw palmetto supplements are available in capsule or tablet form.
The most common form used on the market is oily extracts of the fatty portions of the dried berries in Capsule form, as they are believed to be more effective in giving the desired results.
What time is the best to take Saw Palmetto supplements?
Meal time is the best way as it leads to maximum absorption along with other potential nutrients.
Nature has given us wonderful natural gifts to treat us with various health conditions.
A Saw Palmetto berry is one of the gifts, especially for men. We should consider labeling Saw Palmetto as a healthy berry in Man‘s well-being.