| Saw Palmetto Plant (Credit to: www.martin-bauer-group.com) |
Description
Saw palmetto is a small type of palm tree found in Florida and parts of several other Southeastern states. The so-called palmetto scrub is a six to ten foot high plant that has been recognized by the North American Indians as well as white settlers for its "fattening" properties. The hard brown seeds have a sweetish taste and are odourless. It has long green, pointed leaves like many types of palm trees, but also branches with small berries.Saw Palmetto Benefits
Saw Palmetto and Prostate Benefits
Does saw palmetto lower testosterone levels?Saw palmetto berries (Sereona repens) are used today for symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which is an age dependent disease leading to lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and impacts negatively sexual functions (SDys). During the teenage years, the cells that form the prostate have to multiply quickly in order for a young man to become sexually mature. Unfortunately for most men, this continues into their later years usually resulting in an enlarged prostate. This results in a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia.There has been a lot of controversy over the effectiveness of saw palmetto when used for BPH and other prostate oriented conditions. A recent 2013 trial found a positive impact of saw palmetto on the symptoms of BPH and sexual dysfunction. In this particular trial, the patients taking saw palmetto confirmed the effectiveness of the saw palmetto in reducing their symptoms and improving their overall quality of life.
Saw Palmetto and Testosterone Levels
Testosterone is a powerful hormone which is produced both in men and women, whose production is controlled by hypothalamus and pituitary gland.The hormone also plays a very important role in muscle strength and size along with maintaining healthy libido levels. As per the research community, the saw palmetto could regulate the testosterone hormone and helps lower the amount of some enzymes which aids in the promotion of prostate cells growth. There’s enzyme called 5-αlpha reductase in your body, which converts testosterone into its more potent form of dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
About Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
| Saw Palmento seed (credit to: www.herbco.com) |
DHT is one of those good guy/bad guy hormones that is sorely misunderstood. For many people, it is NOT something that you want to reduce or eliminate in the body. For some others though, keeping DHT levels under control is probably a prudent course of action. Knowing the facts about DHT will help you decide just which group you belong to. When it comes to sex hormones, few things are as misunderstood by the general consumer as the relationship of the prostate to DHT. The inaccurate and overly simplistic attitude that DHT is responsible for prostate hypertrophy, and even prostate cancer predominates amongst most people.
The first period of prostate growth, deemed developmental growth, is connected to puberty and the testicular secretion of androgens. This takes the prostate from its prepubertal dormancy to the normal sized, healthy, and functional prostate gland of an adult. During the early and mid adult years the prostate stays at this stage, despite the constant levels of high levels of androgens in the body. However, if androgens are blocked in the body then the adult prostate will shrink in size. This can occur by castration, or even by blockade of 5-αlpha (recall that DHT is the active androgen in the prostate).
Saw Palmetto is a Potent 5-alpha reductase Inhibitor
Saw palmetto blocks DHT production via inhibiting the 5-αlpha enzyme. 5-α enzyme converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, a potent androgen hormone. While this hormone plays an important role in male development, it also contributes to many of the problems associated with middle-aged and older men.). The conversion of testosterone by 5-alpha reductase typically occurs in the testes, prostate, adrenal glands and hair follicles. It is in these same areas that men suffer hair loss, prostate enlargement and the factors that lead to loss of libido. By inhibiting and slowing the production of this enzyme, saw palmetto reduces the effects often associated with too much dihydrotestosterone as men age.
Study found out that men who used 320 mg’s of daily saw palmetto extract for 3 months, had significantly higher testosterone levels, but also significantly lower DHT levels than the control group. They also found out that saw palmetto didn’t relieve the symptoms of bening prostate hyperplasia (BPH), which is nothing new as DHT is really not the cause for prostate problems, neither is testosterone.
Saw palmetto and libido
Low testosterone levels are associated with low libido in both men and women. Saw palmetto can boost libido by increasing the body’s levels of testosterone. saw palmetto can increase both male and female fertility by increasing the body’s testosterone level.In men, sperm production is guided by testosterone. Too little testosterone results in low sperm count. Similarly, testosterone plays a role in women’s production of eggs, with too little testosterone reducing egg production. As saw palmetto inhibits the conversion of testosterone, the body retains higher levels of testosterone for use. A greater presence of testosterone helps regulate body weight, maintain a more positive mood, and encourages better sexual function.
Side effects of saw palmetto
While saw palmetto is widely used, it does occasionally cause side effects in some people.These side effects can include: dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
The FDA urges pregnant and breastfeeding women to avoid using saw palmetto. According to the American Pregnancy Association, it’s probably unsafe for pregnant and breastfeeding women because it affects hormonal activity in the body.
Recommended Doses and Timing for Saw Palmetto
Doses and timing for Saw palmetto that have undergone scientific research include those dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia and bald spots.- The crude saw palmetto berries are usually administered at 1 to 2 g/day; however, lipophilic extracts standardized to 85% to 95% fatty acids in soft native extract or 25% fatty acids in a dry extract are more common. Brand-name products include Permixon , Prostaserene , Prostagutt , Remigeron , Quanterra Prostate , and LG 166/S.
- BHP: Take 160 milligrams of Saw palmetto twice a day or 320 milligrams once daily.
- Bald spots: combine 200 milligrams of Saw palmetto with 50 milligrams of beta-sitosterol. Take the combination twice every day.
| Saw Palmetto plant (credit to: hairisthemanetopic.com) |
CAUCTION
People taking certain medications should avoid saw palmetto. It may interfere with the following drugs:- Birth control or contraceptive drugs: Most birth control pills contain estrogen, and saw palmetto can reduce the effects of estrogen in the body.
- Anticoagulants/antiplatelet drugs: Saw palmetto can slow blood clotting. When it’s taken along with other medications that slow blood clotting like :
- aspirin
- clopidogrel (Plavix)
- diclofenac (Voltaren)
- ibuprofen
- naproxen
- heparin
- warfarin
- it can increase your chances of bruising and bleeding.
Conclusion
Even though many guys swear by the name of saw palmetto as a testosterone booster, it works but it doesn’t work through the “correct” pathways.It simply increases testosterone as it blocks the conversion from testosterone into DHT, which leaves more T to your serum.