Which saw palmetto is best

Saw palmetto does not appear to affect readings of prostate-specific antigen PSA levels, even when taken in higher-than-usual amounts. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. PSA levels have been used to screen for prostate cancer and are also used to monitor patients who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Saw palmetto has not been shown to interact with medications. Information on the safety of saw palmetto comes primarily from studies of its use for BPH in men. Little is known about the safety or side effects of saw palmetto when used for other conditions, especially in women or children.

Saw palmetto may be unsafe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Keep in Mind. Urinary tract symptoms can have several causes, including conditions such as prostate cancer that need prompt treatment.

Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. For More Information. Toll-free in the U. Office of Dietary Supplements ODS , National Institutes of Health NIH ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public.

Key References. For them, we recommend Pure Encapsulations thanks to its simple formulation that hews close to the best-studied dosage of saw palmetto in research studies. Best saw palmetto for hair loss: Zhou Saw Palmetto. The potent dosage of Zhou Saw Palmetto makes it our pick for combating hair loss—with mg of saw palmetto in each capsule, you get a powerful DHT-inhibiting effect from this simple and powerful formulation. Saw palmetto is safe for most people but is primarily effective in men looking to boost testosterone and help treat an enlarged prostate.

It may also be effective at treating hair loss without the negative side effects of common prescription medications. Saw palmetto should not be taken by children, especially female children, as it has been shown to cause some adverse side effects. Pregnant women and women looking to conceive should also avoid saw palmetto as it may negatively affect the development of the fetus. People taking medications should consult a doctor before taking saw palmetto as it may cause a negative interaction.

When ranking the best saw palmetto supplements, we first looked at the type of saw palmetto included in each supplement. Products like Dr. Dosage was also important to consider. Lastly, we analyzed any additional ingredients that may be included in the supplements. In general, we preferred pure products with minimal additives because we wanted to ensure high doses of pure saw palmetto.

As such, products with proprietary blends, or testosterone boosters with saw palmetto added were axed from our list. Saw palmetto can be used to treat an enlarged prostate. One health problem that many older men face is a condition called benign prostate hyperplasia. This condition is characterized by an enlarged prostate, which causes problems with urination, particularly at night.

Traditionally, an enlarged prostate is treated using a prescription medication called finasteride, though this can have negative side effects. Some men turn to saw palmetto instead to treat an enlarged prostate, and there is some clinical research supporting their choice. A systematic review article published in in the Journal of the American Medical Association pooled the results of 18 different studies, which included a total of almost different men with an enlarged prostate 1.

The review found that saw palmetto supplements were significantly more effective than a placebo, and even compared well to finasteride—some studies found superior results with saw palmetto than with finasteride.

Saw palmetto appears to cause fewer sexual side effects than finasteride. One of the frustrating parts of using the prescription medication finasteride, either for hair loss or for prostate health, is that it has the tendency to cause erectile dysfunction. While fairly rare, somewhere around five percent of men taking finasteride are affected by erectile dysfunction.

According to the same systematic review of saw palmetto for treating an enlarged prostate, the rate of erectile dysfunction among men taking saw palmetto is far lower—only 1. Saw palmetto can be used to treat sexual dysfunction. This decrease in the odds of erectile dysfunction is probably related to why some men also use saw palmetto specifically for treating sexual problem. One study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research demonstrated the utility of using saw palmetto to treat sexual dysfunction in a group of 82 elderly men 2.

The eight-week long study quantified sexual dysfunction using a standardized survey at the start and at the end of the study. They interpreted this as evidence that the saw palmetto supplement can effectively be used to treat sexual dysfunction in men, and encouraged future research on the subject. Because of the results of studies like this, it should be no surprise that many male enhancement pills contain saw palmetto as one of their primary ingredients. Saw palmetto can help reverse hair loss.

The interest in using saw palmetto for treating hair loss came out of its use in treating benign prostate hyperplasia. The standard drug that treats an enlarged prostate finasteride is also commonly used to treat male pattern balding, and is approved by the FDA for that purpose. Could saw palmetto be used in the same manner? Some research suggests that this is the case. The trial involved men with mild to moderate male-pattern balding, and were randomly assigned to receive either a saw palmetto supplement or a placebo.

Given the fairly large number of clinical trials into using saw palmetto to treat an enlarged prostate, the side effect profile of saw palmetto is fairly well characterized.

According to one study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the side effects of saw palmetto include constipation, decreased libido, diarrhea, headache, hypertension, nausea, and urine retention 4. These side effects are quite rare, and in most studies, very few people drop out because of side effects.

A study published in in the journal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics examined whether saw palmetto has the potential to interact with prescription medications.

They studied its effect on cytochrome P enzymes, which are know to be linked to drug-supplement interactions 5. With saw palmetto, nettle root, and pyegeum africanum bark, this prostate supplement is designed to reduce bladder discomfort and promote urinary health. This natural, drug-free formula is great if you are cautious about taking too many unnecessary medications. LES Labs offers a day money back guarantee, allowing you to try this product with little risk. In addition to ingredients like nettle root, pyegeum africanum bark, and saw palmetto that support prostate health, this blend incorporates vitamins D3 and B, as well as zinc and lycopene, which help with overall health and well-being.

It blends these aminos with herbs like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed and pyegeum africanum bark, and minerals like zinc and copper for a well-rounded supplement. Life Extension Ultra Prostate Formula aims to support your prostate health using cutting-edge nutrition. Formerly known as Ultra Natural Prostate, this formula contains the best raw materials. It can keep your estrogen levels in check while also nourishing your prostate.

These ingredients have proven effective at supporting immune systems and healthy prostate glands. Its synergistic blend of herbs and vitamins promotes healthy urine flow and volume, and it inhibits DHT, reducing baldness.

Prostavec Prostate Support Supplement is a liquid formula, as opposed to most supplements on our list, which come in capsule form. Studies show that the body uses 98 percent of a liquid extract, compared to percent of a tablet or capsule. Therefore, this might be a good option if capsules have proven ineffective for you.

This supplement also contains spirulina, a cyanobacteria packed with nutrients and vitamins , in its saw palmetto-based formula. Specifically designed to support normal urine flow, New Chapter Prostate 5LX includes clinical strength saw palmetto and nettle root to provide holistic prostate support. This supplement also contains selenium, a mineral with antioxidant powers. This can support your overall immune system as well as your prostate health.

This prostate supplement contains many ingredients that have been shown to improve prostate gland functions, including zinc, selenium, quercetin, and vitamin D Developed by a state-of-the-art testing laboratory, this is one of the best prostate supplements available. Although inconclusive, current evidence does not undermine the experience of people who have found saw palmetto helpful.

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Dehydroepiandrosterone DHEA is a naturally occurring steroid hormone that, to date, is not well-understood. It is classed as a performance-enhancing…. Uses and dosage of saw palmetto. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. What is saw palmetto Uses of saw palmetto Effectiveness Dosage and interactions Side effects Conclusion We include products we think are useful for our readers.

What is saw palmetto. Share on Pinterest Saw palmetto grows in warm climates. Uses of saw palmetto. Share on Pinterest An extract from the saw palmetto berries may be turned into a liquid, a tea, or a tablet.

Dosage and interactions. Share on Pinterest Saw palmetto powder, which may be used in teas or tablets. Side effects. Latest news Adolescent depression: Could school screening help?