News
Saw palmetto, a species of palm originating in the southeastern United States, is often used in supplements to improve vascular health, balance hormones, and prevent male pattern baldness.
Additionally, organic saw palmetto supplement is associated with several benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved bowel function. Here are five promising benefits of saw palmetto consumption, along with some key risks and side effects.
Health Benefits Of Organic Saw Palmetto Supplement
1. It helps in preventing hair loss
Hair loss is a common condition that can have many causes, including genetics, certain medical conditions, hormonal changes, and medications such as stimulants and anticoagulants.
Saw palmetto is often used to balance hormone levels and prevent hair loss. One study found that saw palmetto helps block the activity of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into another sex hormone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which has been linked to hair loss.
Saw palmetto can also prevent hair loss by increasing the penetration of DHT into the hair by increasing the ability of DHT to bind to specific hormone receptors.
2. It helps in preventing urinary tract function
Urinary tract symptoms such as urinary incontinence and problems urinating are common in the elderly. Organic saw palmetto supplement may improve urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes an enlarged prostate and decreased urine flow.
In a small 12-week study, men who drank 1,000 mg daily of juice containing beta-sitosterol, a naturally occurring plant source, showed significant improvement in BPH symptoms compared to those who did not drink it.
On the other hand, a recent review of 27 studies concluded that palmetto alone does not significantly affect underlying urinary tract symptoms.
Thus, more research is needed to determine whether this agent contributes to periodontal function in the general population, including those with and without vascular problems.
Read Also: Top 8 Health Benefits Of Vitamin D3 And K2 Supplements
3. Support prostate health
The prostate is a small tissue between the bladder and the penis. Its job is to keep sperm healthy. Some studies have shown that saw palmetto can help with prostate health and prevent problems like BPH and prostate cancer.
Other human and animal studies have also shown that the supplement may reduce urinary tract symptoms and inflammation associated with BPH.
In addition, a 15-year study of 30 men concluded that taking 320 mg of saw palmetto extract daily helps prevent BPH. However, some studies have not linked them to improved prostate health or symptoms of BPH. Therefore, better research is needed.
4. It helps in Decreasing inflammation
Some studies have shown that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat certain medical conditions. For example, a study in mice with enlarged blood vessels found that saw palmetto extract reduced inflammation and several markers of inflammation, including interleukin-6.
Another study in rats with BPH showed that dates reduced inflammation and improved antioxidant status. Although these results are promising, more than human studies are needed.
5. It helps to regulate testosterone levels
Organic saw palmetto supplement is often used by people who want to increase their testosterone levels naturally. Testosterone levels affect many aspects of health, including anatomy, libido, mood, and brain function.
Levels decline with age; some studies have shown that low levels lead to health problems like heart disease. Saw palmetto helps maintain testosterone levels by increasing the activity of 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.
Laboratory studies have shown that saw palmetto extract is comparable in effectiveness to finasteride in maintaining testosterone levels. According to one review, saw palmetto can help block DHT uptake and reduce its ability to bind androgen receptors by nearly 50%.
On the other hand, it helps regulate testosterone levelsFinasteride is a drug used to treat hair loss and BPH by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha reductase.
Conclusion
Organic saw palmetto supplement is a type of date palmetto. Positive studies have shown that saw palmetto increases testosterone levels, improves blood circulation, reduces inflammation, prevents hair loss, and improves urinary function.
Saw palmetto is generally considered unsafe with few side effects. Common side effects include dizziness, headache, diarrhea, and constipation.