Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto, dwarf palm, is a shrub found throughout the Carribean and in parts or the southern United Sates. An extract is made from the berries for use in treating prostate problems. Saw Palmetto blocks the action of an enzyme, 5-alpha-reductase, that converts testosterone to a more potent form called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the liver.
DHT is believed to be the principal cause of prostate enlargement, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Saw palmetto alleviates the symptoms of this condition. It usually takes at least six months to reach peak efficacy.

Botanical Names

 Serenoa repens

 Serenoa serrulata

 Serenoa serrulatum

Part Used

 Dried, ripe berries and root (the berries are believed to be more potent therapeutically - the therapeutic components are those constituents that are fat-soluble).

Excretory System

 Saw Palmetto (320 mg per day) may reduce the Urination - Frequent that occurs as a side effect of Enlarged Prostate.  ^[1]

 Saw Palmetto (320 mg per day) may reduce the Urination - Painful (Dysuria) that is associated with Enlarged Prostate. 

Hair

 Saw Palmetto may retard further Hair Loss in persons afflicted with Male Pattern Baldness (by inhibiting the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the 5-Alpha-Reductase enzyme) and Saw Palmetto (extract applied topically) may also retard further Hair Loss in Male Pattern Baldness sufferers.  ^[2]

Immune System

 Saw Palmetto may inhibit the growth of Multiple Myeloma cells.  ^[3]

 Saw Palmetto may reduce the risk of Cancer - Prostate by inhibiting the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the Prostate and by inhibiting the binding of up to 50% of existing DHT to DHT Receptors on the Prostate.  The Myristoleic Acid content of Saw Palmetto may also directly stimulate the apoptosis and necrosis of Prostate Cancer cells.  ^[4]