Saw palmetto is a dietary supplement made from the fruit of the saw palmetto plant and is used to treat prostate, urinary tract, and hormonal problems. Consumers should consider purity, dosage, drug interactions, and side effects when purchasing. Saw palmetto has negative interactions with some medications and may increase bleeding risk. Its safety and effectiveness have not been officially evaluated by the FDA.
Saw palmetto is a dietary supplement made from the fruit of the saw palmetto plant that grows in the southeastern United States. It contains fatty acids and phytosterols and is used to treat many conditions, including problems related to the prostate, urinary tract, and hormonal changes. Saw Palmetto dietary supplements are available in pharmacies, drugstores, specialty stores, and online stores. When purchasing saw palmetto, consumers should consider the types of supplements available, the level of purity, the dosage, drug interactions, and side effects.
Most saw palmetto supplements are in capsule form. The capsules contain extract from the berries of the saw palmetto plant. Saw palmetto extract can also be purchased as a tablet, dried herb, liquid extract, tea, or topical agent. Only one variety of saw palmetto supplement should be used at a time.
Before purchasing saw palmetto supplements, read the label carefully for purity claims, as this product is not regulated. Always buy saw palmetto products from a reputable source that meets strict pharmaceutical manufacturing standards, as some herbal products have been found to contain trace amounts of other drugs, metals, and toxins. Experts recommend purchasing saw palmetto supplements with at least 80% active ingredients, but the amount of active ingredients can vary between 45% and 95% from different manufacturers.
There is no recommended or maximum dose set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but manufacturers generally recommend between 320mg and 1800mg per day or 15ml to 30ml of liquid supplement per week. Consult an herbalist or doctor to determine the correct dosage. Saw palmetto should be taken with food to prevent nausea.
Before you buy saw palmetto, be aware that it has interactions with some prescription and over-the-counter medications. Specifically, saw palmetto has had negative interactions with blood thinners, hormone replacement therapy, garlic supplements, ginkgo biloba, birth control pills, iron supplements, and some pain relievers. Saw palmetto can be taken with zinc and vitamin B6 for a synergistic effect, but some experts advise against purchasing products that combine saw palmetto with other herbal remedies to avoid a potentially harmful interaction.
Saw palmetto might increase the risk of bleeding in some patients. People with stomach or intestinal ulcers, hemophilia, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or those preparing for surgery should always consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking saw palmetto. Patients with heart disease, liver disease, or asthma are generally advised to avoid saw palmetto entirely.
Saw Palmetto herbal supplements have not been approved by the FDA to treat any medical conditions. These supplements are not a substitute for prescription drugs or medical treatments. They may be effective in alleviating certain conditions, but their safety and effectiveness have not been officially evaluated. Manufacturers of saw palmetto products sometimes claim that saw palmetto offers medical benefits that have never been scientifically proven.
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