Saw palmetto is commonly used for prostate health and reducing inflammation in the bladder. It may also prevent hair loss and enhance breast size, but these uses are unclear. Saw palmetto is popular in Europe and its use is increasing in other countries, but caution should be taken with hormonal manipulation.
The most common effects of saw palmetto include shrinking of the prostate and inflammation of the bladder. To a lesser extent, saw palmetto is also used to enhance breast size and prevent hair loss, although the effectiveness of these uses is unclear. Europeans most commonly use saw palmetto for medical and personal needs, but other countries are beginning to see just how positive these effects of saw palmetto can be, and its use is increasing elsewhere.
Among the different effects of saw palmetto, prostate health receives the most attention and study. As men age, the prostate converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which stimulates the growth of prostate cells. As this happens, urination may be difficult or painful, and an enlarged prostate may raise fears of cancer. While DHT is responsible for a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is not malignant. Saw palmetto extract, which comes from saw palmetto berries, is believed to help this condition by preventing testosterone from converting to DHT, thus preventing enlarged prostate as a natural result.
Reducing inflammation in the bladder is another benefit of saw palmetto. Saw palmetto extract may have some anti-inflammatory properties, which could help with almost all types of inflammation, although bladder inflammation is one of the most common uses. Therefore, reducing inflammation in the bladder should help improve urine flow and lead to better overall continence. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, however, saw palmetto may not be the most effective option.
Another of the often mentioned effects of saw palmetto is the prevention of hair loss. Although the connection between saw palmetto and hair loss has never been fully proven, some believe that the extract may have an effect on androgen receptors, which could play a role in hair loss, especially male and female pattern baldness. The exact nature of how androgen receptors affect hair loss and how saw palmetto may interact with those receptors has never been clinically tested.
Of all the common effects of saw palmetto, its use in women to promote breast enlargement and as a hormone treatment may be the most controversial. Saw palmetto extract may have an effect on the hormonal balance of men and women. For women who are tempted to use saw palmetto for bladder inflammation or other reasons, care should be taken especially if they are pregnant, nursing, or using hormonal birth control. The effects of saw palmetto can increase breast size as a result of hormonal manipulation, but it can also cause other hormonal imbalances.
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