NOWADAYS, IT SEEMS like you can find a supplement for any health issue. Losing your hair or want to keep those luscious locks? There’s protein powder, creatine, and maybe beta-alanine.
But is there anything that can help the prostate? Saw palmetto extract supplement companies have something to sell you. The supplement allegedly helps with prostate issues along with other health benefits for men.
But does it actually work? And what the heck is saw palmetto, anyway? KNOWN AS SERENOA repens, saw palmetto is a type of palm tree.
An extract from this tree is commonly available in supplements that claim to improve certain aspects of male health, including reducing inflammation related to prostate health, balancing hormone levels, and preventing hair loss. It’s commonly sold as soft gels, tablets, and capsules, though you can also find it ground, liquid, or powdered. SAW PALMETTO HAS increasingly gained buzz for prostate health, specifically related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
This condition, also known as enlargement of the prostate gland, results in decreased urine flow. Saw palmetto’s reputation for prostate health is actually somewhat deserved, says urologist Peter J. Some trials have found that saw palmetto is mildly to moderately effective at reducing urinary symptoms—like not being able to pee a decent stream when you feel like you really need to—in men with BPH.
Additionally, there were similar improvements in urine symptoms in older guys with BPH who took saw palmetto versus prescription medications tamsulosin and finasteride. Stahl calls saw palmetto “a reasonable choice for first-line therapy in men with mild to moderate baseline symptoms” of BPH. Another perk: Some research suggests that saw palmetto could help to combat hair loss by reducing follicle miniaturization (narrowing of hair follicles that leads to thinning and balding).
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