Saw palmetto, made from the fruit of a palm tree, has been used for centuries by Native Americans. It may reduce prostate size and treat hormonal disorders, but studies on its benefits for prostate enlargement have had mixed results. It may also benefit women with acne, hirsutism, and delayed hair loss. Care should be taken when purchasing supplements, and side effects include constipation and diarrhea. Pregnant and lactating women and those taking anticoagulant medications should avoid it.
Saw palmetto is a supplement made from the fruit of a palm tree native to the southeastern United States. It was used for centuries as food and medicine by the Native Americans of the region. Saw palmetto benefits may include reducing the size of the prostate and treating certain hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is often taken in the form of dried berries, crushed berries in capsules, and oil in capsules.
Some studies have indicated that there are saw palmetto benefits for men. Many older men suffer from benign enlargement of the prostate. Although usually not fatal, the side effects of an enlarged prostate can be unpleasant. Studies on the benefits of saw palmetto for benign enlarged prostate have had mixed results. Some studies indicated a positive result; other studies saw no difference from a placebo.
Saw palmetto benefits for women are said to be acne reduction, hirsutism reduction, and delayed hair loss. Most accounts of saw palmetto’s benefits for women are anecdotal, as formal studies are sparse. Saw palmetto acts as a blocker of certain hormones and has been used in conjunction with other supplements such as vitex to treat PCOS. Hirsutism and severe acne are often major symptoms of PCOS, and some women have reported success using saw palmetto to treat these symptoms.
Other purported benefits of saw palmetto include anti-inflammation, reduction of pelvic pain in men, and lowering of blood pressure. It should be noted that only the anti-inflammatory effects are supported by formal research. Some people have reported an increase in blood pressure after taking saw palmetto. A one-year study found no significant benefits of saw palmetto for pelvic pain.
Care should be taken when purchasing saw palmetto supplements from reputable manufacturers. Supplement purity can vary drastically between manufacturers. Some less reputable manufacturers have been found to adulterate their supplements with fillers or even some toxic substances, which can reduce the benefits of saw palmetto. Another consideration is the dosage and amount of active ingredient.
It is best to take saw palmetto with food; otherwise it may cause stomach upset. Side effects can include constipation and diarrhea. Pregnant and lactating women should not take saw palmetto. Saw palmetto should also be avoided by people taking anticoagulant medications. The use of saw palmetto should be discontinued immediately if the user experiences a marked allergic reaction, such as hives.
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