Saw palmetto exhibits potential synergy in treating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have high testosterone levels, leading to issues like irregular or heavy periods, excessive body or facial hair, and acne. While we've mainly discussed men's health issues, we saw palmetto might also benefit women, potentially affecting their testosterone differently. A study by the NIH in rats with enlarged prostates showed that saw palmetto oil reduced swelling and several other indicators of inflammation . Additionally, a mouse study by the NIH revealed saw palmetto aids hair regeneration and repairs hair loss by triggering TGF-β and mitochondrial pathways . Saw palmetto could be an effective treatment for individuals with prostate cancer, showing the potential to slow the growth. Repens was noted to improve urologic symptoms and flow measures (26).Reduction of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)This Chinese double blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the effects of Serenoa repens amongst male patients presenting with benign prostatic hyperplasia, as well as other similarly related lower urinary tract symptoms. The conclusion indicates that daily oral administration of this saw palmetto extract safely and effectively promotes healthy hair growth with long-lasting effects, providing an effective natural intervention option for improving self-perceived hair thinning. Yamada S, Shirai M, Ono K, Kageyama S. Beneficial effects of saw palmetto fruit extract on urinary symptoms in Japanese female subjects by a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.. Adriazola-Semino M, Lozano-Ortega JL, Garcia-Cobo E, et al. Symptomatic treatment of benign hypertrophy of the prostate. Meta-analysis of clinical trials of permixon in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. A double-blind trial of an extract of the plant Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Ondrizek RR, Chan PJ, Patton WC, King A. An alternative medicine study of herbal effects on the penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes and the integrity of sperm deoxyribonucleic acid.A saw palmetto allergy is diagnosed through a combination of medical history review, symptom evaluation, and potentially allergy testing conducted by a healthcare provider. Unlike seasonal allergies, which generally won't cause a fever, supplement allergies can sometimes produce more systemic reactions. If you experience these symptoms, seek immediate medical help.
