Saw Palmetto product
Saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens) is an herb that has been shown in some clinical studies to
have beneficial effects in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Saw
palmetto (sometimes referred to as sabal in Europe) grows naturally in the southeast
United States, such as Georgia, Mississippi, and particularly Florida.
Saw Palmetto Extract, 320 mg, 60 Capsules
Physician Formulas
Supports Healthy Prostate Function
Saw palmetto extract contains pure Saw palmetto extract guaranteed to
supply 45% fatty acids and beneficial plant sterols, which are the
herb's key active ingredients. Extraction is done using carbon dioxide,
the finished product is free of solvent residues.
Supports healthy function of the prostate gland and urinary tract.
Saw Palmetto
Supplement Facts
Saw Palmetto extract (Berry) - 320 mg*
Fatty Acids - 45% fatty acids
Suggested Use: As an herbal supplement, take 1 or 2 saw palmetto capsules per day.
* Saw Palmetto daily values not established.
Click here to buy Saw Palmetto product on sale or Prostate Power Rx
Is Saw Palmetto safe?
No significant side effects have been reported in the medical literature regarding
saw palmetto. For more saw
palmetto information.
Many men take a saw palmetto supplement, or a combination of saw palmetto and
other herbs and nutrients, for prostate health or for the hopes of improving
symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Since prostate enlargement is a chronic
problem, the use of saw palmetto is often for prolonged periods of months or
years. But are saw palmetto supplements safe for long term use? Do they have any
side effects?
Researchers at the Department of
Medicine, University of California, San Francisco were involved in the
the Saw palmetto for Treatment of Enlarged Prostates (STEP) study. This
study was a
randomized clinical trial performed among 225 men with moderate-to-severe
symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, comparing a standardized extract
of the saw palmetto berry (160mg twice daily) with a placebo. The study
last one year. At the end of the study period it was noted that there were no significant differences between the saw
palmetto and placebo-allocated participants in the risk of suffering side
effects. There were few significant between-group differences in sexual
functioning or for most laboratory analyses, with only small differences
observed in changes over time in total bilirubin, potassium, and the
incidence of glucose in the urine.
Saw palmetto supplement use did not seem to influence levels of PSA (prostate
specific antigen) to any significant degree.
Despite careful evaluation, no evidence for
serious toxicity or side effects of saw palmetto was noted in this clinical trial.
The results of this study are reassuring to men who have been
taking saw palmetto for several months. Are there any risks in taking saw
palmetto supplements for several years or decades? Further research will
hopefully provide answers in the future.
Prostate Power Rx Supplement Facts
Saw Palmetto
extract (standardized to contain 45% fatty acids -
serenoa repens fruit)
Stinging-Nettle (urtica diocia root)
Rosemary 4:1 extract (Rosemarinus officinales leaf)
Beta-Sitosterol
complex
Pygeum-Africanum (Pygeum Africanum)
Genistein (standardized to contain 40% isoflavones)
Lycopene supplement for prostate health
How does Saw Palmetto work?
Unfortunately, many herbal and natural medicines have had far less
research money devoted to them than they deserve. SP is no exception. Consequently, we
don't know all the answers to the exact mechanisms of how the different compounds within
saw palmetto work. However, there have been enough studies to give us some clues. Some of most
likely mechanisms include the reduction in the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in
prostate tissue, inhibition of binding of DHT to androgen receptors in prostate
cells, and the anti-estrogenic action in prostate tissue. Another possibility is
the ability of compounds within saw palmetto to reduce the action of IGF-1 on
prostate tissue.
Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) action is important for prostate growth and
development, and changes in the IGF system have been documented in BPH tissues.
Unlike a particular medicine, such as Proscar, which has one active ingredient,
saw palmetto has a number of different compounds within it. Thus, you can see why it would
be complicated to evaluate all the possible interactions that these compounds have on a
variety of tissues within our bodies. Furthermore, it is possible that a single compound
within saw palmetto may not have much of an influence on its own although its combination
with the other compounds would have a synergistic effect.
The more I learn about the human body, the more I realize how complicated it
is. Early in my medical career I often unquestioningly accepted the results of studies
done in a laboratory or on animals and was quick to use this information to generalize to
humans. I now know otherwise. In order to understand truly how a medicine works, it has to
be studied directly on humans. Although laboratory and animal studies can give us
important information, they are never a replacement for thorough human evaluations.
Another complicating factor is that modern medicine does not advance solely on
the basis of seeking the most efficient therapy for human diseases. There are significant
economic factors that influence the funding of studies, the subsequent interpretation of
the results, and especially the dissemination of this information. Many of the studies
done with saw palmetto were financed either by companies who market this extract, such as
Pierre Fabre Medicament, or by pharmaceutical companies, such as Merck, who have developed
competing drugs that treat prostate enlargement. Merck has the drug Proscar. Not
surprisingly, the results of studies obtained by Merck scientists on the method of action
of saw palmetto are often in marked disagreement with the results obtained by scientists
working under the auspices of saw palmetto-selling companies. Full details are provided
later.
Saw
Palmetto emails
Q. I would like to add my name to a list of very satisfied users of the saw
palmetto 320mg made by Physician Formulas. I take one a day, and have for years,
since I discovered Physician Formulas products and can affirm that it works, and
better than any other saw palmetto product I have used. I started waking two or
three times a night in my late fifties. Having determined that I had an
enlarging prostate I began using the ground up herb...it helped a little; but
when I found Dr Sahalian's formulated saw palmetto product, I now sleep through
the night (and so does my wife.)
Q. I have read that stinging nettle
has two benefits that I am interested in - shrinking the prostate and regrowth
of hair. However, I have had male breast cancer and am ER PR positive. I am
aware that saw palmetto increases estrogen. I have been advised by my urologist
not to take saw palmetto for this reason. Does stinging nettle have this same
property, ie, does it cause an increase in estrogen?
A. We are not aware of any research that would contradict the use
of saw palmetto or stinging nettles in those who have had breast cancer.
Phytoestrogens in herbs are not similar in their potential harmful effects on
cancer cells as estrogen hormone.
Q. I came across a
hair loss product
called Procerin that advertises restoration of hair since it has saw palmetto.
Is there research to support Procerin hair loss product? Do you have a Procerin
review?
A. We have not seen any published studies with Procerin for hair
loss. Procerin has saw palmetto but there is no evidence that the use of saw
palmetto restores hair. The promotional material of Procerin sellers cannot be
trusted. Thus far we have had two users of Procerin tell us that after 4 months
of use they did not notice any change in hair growth. This is the only Procerin
review we have at this time. Natural supplements cannot be advertised as
treatment or cure of hair loss. Thus, the fact that Procerin is being promoted
for hair growth violates FDA rules.
Q. I would like to enquire as to
whether you have ever encountered the following side effects following the use
of Saw Palmetto extracts: Dry Mouth, Slight increase in frequency of Urination.
A. As of now we have not encountered these saw palmetto side
effects.
Q. Has there been any additional
research regarding the link between Saw Palmetto and Hair Regrowth?
A. We are not aware of any additional research regarding the role,
if any, of saw palmetto and hair growth.
Q. I'm interested in taking saw
palmetto for hair loss, but I would also like to start a family. Do you see any
reason why I could not take saw palmetto at this time? Also, how long does it
take to leave the body once you've been taking it for several months?
A. We have not seen any evidence that saw palmetto is effective for hair loss
or hair growth. The effects of saw palmetto on the body are likely to dissipate
within a few days of stopping its use which is true of most herbs.
Q. Is it ok, to
take saw palmetto if you are breast feeding? My son is three months old and my
hair is really starting to fall out and I am trying to find something that will
stop it.
A. We have not seen any studies regarding saw palmetto use and
breastfeeding. It is probably safe but we can't say for certain. We don't think
saw palmetto has much of an effect by itself on hair growth.
Q. I plan to buy
saw palmetto and am wondering what the shelf life is. I bought 3 bottles but
would buy more at one time if they will not lose efficacy over six months to a
year.
A. Herbs, such as saw palmetto, have a very long shelf life,
several years or more, vitamins have a shorter shelf life, 2 to 3 years.
Q. Does saw
palmetto leaf work as well as the saw palmetto berry?
A. The active ingredients are found in the berry, not the saw
palmetto leaf. We don't think the saw palmetto leaf has been used in studies.
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