An Active Substance Of Saw Palmetto Mechanism Of Action And The Possible Effect On An Enlarged Prostate
There are over 100 known compounds found in the Saw Palmetto berrythe part of the plant that is used to treat BPH. According to an article in UpToDate, of the 100 compounds found in Saw Palmetto, there are some active ingredients. These include fatty acids , long-chain alcohols, and sterols. The active ingredients can all be found in the purified lipid soluble extract of the berry.
The UpToDate article explained the possible mechanisms of action for Saw Palmettothe exact mechanism of action is unknown.
Proposed mechanisms include antiandrogenic effects inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase, inhibition of growth factors such as the insulin-like growth factor-1 relaxation of lower urinary tract smooth muscle through antagonism of muscarinic receptors anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and leukotrienes alternation of cholesterol metabolism antiestrogenic effects and a decrease in available sex hormone-binding globulin.
Clearly, there are a lot of possible ways that Saw Palmetto may hypothetically reduce the symptoms of BPH. But, scientists are not sure which of these is. And, also, as I discuss below, recent large-scale studies have indicated that Saw Palmetto is not an adequate treatment for enlarged prostate symptoms.
- Less need to urinate frequently
- Improved and non-painful urination
- Increased sex drive
- Lessening of pelvic pain.
Birth Control Pills Interacts With Saw Palmetto
Some birth control pills contain estrogen. Saw palmetto might decrease the effects of estrogen in the body. Taking saw palmetto along with birth control pills might decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills. If you take birth control pills along with saw palmetto, use an additional form of birth control such as a condom.Some birth control pills include ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel , ethinyl estradiol and norethindrone , and others.
When To See A Doctor
Individuals who notice changes in their urinary habits should see a doctor, even if the symptoms do not cause discomfort. Any changes can suggest an underlying medical condition that may require prompt treatment. It is best to talk to a doctor before taking any herb or medication.
Untreated urinary issues can lead to complications such as an obstruction in the urinary tract, which prevents urination. People who cannot pass any urine need emergency medical treatment.
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What Have We Learned
- Two large, high-quality studies funded by the National Institutes of Health , each using a different preparation of saw palmetto, found it was no more effective than a placebo for BPH symptoms. Saw palmetto products are made in a variety of ways and differ in composition. Some studies of saw palmetto products other than those used in the NIH-sponsored studies have suggested that they might be helpful for BPH symptoms, but many of these studies were of low quality. No saw palmetto product has been conclusively shown to be effective for BPH.
- There isnât enough research on saw palmetto for conditions other than BPH to allow any conclusions to be reached.
Saw Palmetto No Benefit As Prostate Remedy
The fruit of the saw palmetto tree does not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even when men take the herbal supplement in very high doses, a new study shows.
The research is published Sept. 28, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Many older U.S. men take saw palmetto extract in an attempt to reduce bothersome symptoms of a swollen prostate, including frequent urination and a sense of urgency. Its use in Europe is even more widespread because doctors often recommend saw palmetto over more traditional drug treatments.
Results of the new study may settle an ongoing debate over the effectiveness of saw palmetto for a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia . Earlier studies of the supplement have produced conflicting results, and none has evaluated the benefits of saw palmetto in high doses.
In the current study, however, men took up to three times the standard dose of saw palmetto.
Now we know that even very high doses of saw palmetto make absolutely no difference, says co-author Gerald Andriole, MD, the Robert K. Royce Distinguished Professor and chief of urologic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Men should not spend their money on this herbal supplement as a way to reduce symptoms of enlarged prostate because it clearly does not work any better than a sugar pill.
The researchers found that among men who took saw palmetto, prostate problems improved slightly but not more than in men taking a placebo.
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Saw Palmetto For Pcos
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that is characterized by enlarged ovaries that contain follicles surrounding the eggs, causing the ovaries to malfunction, which can lead to hormonal problems. This occurs in women of reproductive age and can result in prolonged or infrequent menstrual periods and high androgen levels. The high androgen levels can contribute to hirsutism, female pattern baldness, and severe acne. If left untreated, PCOS can result in a variety of complications, including mood disorders, infertility, sleep issues, and metabolic syndrome .11
Studies have found that saw palmetto extract may be beneficial for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Saw palmetto contains several fatty acids known as liposterols that are known to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, thus preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT. DHT may contribute to the hirsutism and androgenic alopecia associated with PCOS.
Medications That Slow Blood Clotting Interacts With Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto might slow blood clotting. Taking saw palmetto along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel , diclofenac , ibuprofen , naproxen , dalteparin , enoxaparin , heparin, warfarin , and others.
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Surgery And Bleeding Risk
In a case report, a patient taking saw palmetto extract had increased bleeding time during surgery. Bleeding time returned to normal after stopping taking the herb. One clinical trial pre-treated prostate surgery patients with saw palmetto for five weeks prior to the surgery, because there was evidence from earlier literature that such pre-treatment reduced operative bleeding. The trial reported no improvement compared to placebo. As a general rule surgeons should ask patients to discontinue dietary supplements prior to scheduled surgery.
Saw Palmetto Supplement For Prostate Health
Herbal medication products that are generally available for buying may not be the same as those used in clinical trials and, therefore, may not give the same results. There are no proven drug interactions with saw palmetto. The cost for typical saw palmetto products range from $6 to $20 per month at a 160 mg dosage two times a day.
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Are There Natural Remedies That Support Prostate Health
With any condition, there will inevitably be a line of natural remedies that claim to help alleviate symptoms and build a path towards health.
While this may seem too good to be true, by the number of customers these companies have year after year, the volume of verified testimonials, and the support some of their ingredients have from the medical community, there must be something to them.
These natural remedies are often chosen by people who want to help the body help itself people looking for a natural solution. If they find it, they may be able to avoid the cost, inconvenience, and side effects of prescription drugs.
*Its important to always do your research about any natural remedy so you can make an informed decision about your health.
How Much Saw Palmetto Should I Take For Hair Loss
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- Extra Strength Saw Palmetto Supplement & Prostate Health.
- Nature Bound Mega Strength Beta-Sitosterol Prostate Supplement.
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- Prostate Supplement by Arazo Nutrition.
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Before Taking This Medicine
Before using saw palmetto, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use saw palmetto if you have certain medical conditions., such as:
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder
-
a pancreas disorder.
Saw palmetto is a hormone and is not likely to be safe to use during pregnancy. Do not use saw palmetto if you are pregnant.
Saw palmetto can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Saw palmetto may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.
How Do Prostate Pills Work
First off, we have some bad news: theres no real way to prevent BPH, and outside of drugs like 5ARIs, no way to permanently shrink the prostate3. On the other hand, BPH wont cause serious problems for everyone, only 40-50% of men4. But for those who are a part of that other percentage, prostate pills are supposed to deal with the symptoms. Here we will outline two ways they usually are meant to work.
The first way is to put it bluntly . It sounds a little goofy, but its real. The problem with BPH is that an enlarged prostate often interferes with the bladder and prevents men from fully emptying their bladders when they pee5. The result of this is the need to urinate more frequently, more trips to the bathroom, especially at night . The solution? Pills containing ingredients that increase the volume and force with which you urinate. Simple, right? Well, not exactly, but well get to that later.
The other method is a little more direct. This method involves utilizing ingredients that are supposed to reduce the size of the prostates lining, slightly shrinking the overall size of the prostate and taking some pressure off the bladder and the urinary tract6
Other advantages can include delivering antioxidants, which are associated with better prostate health overall7
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Side Effects Of Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto causes relatively less adverse effects. It can occasionally lead to mild symptoms such as bad breath, digestive upset, or headaches. Even when people take large doses of up to 960 mg, research shows that saw palmetto does not typically trigger extreme reactions.
However, there are rare cases of people linking saw palmetto with their liver disorders, so anyone who had or has liver disease should skip it.
The herb is also not likely to interact with medicines, but there are no trials to prove it is safe. Therefore, people who are taking any other medicines and wish to try saw palmetto should check with their physician first.
There is some chance of saw palmetto interacting with blood-clotting drugs or aspirin. Lastly, studies to date have concentrated on males using saw palmetto. There is not enough data available on the safety or effects of the herb in children or females.
Saw palmetto is a powerful treatment for the symptoms of Benign prostate hyperplasia. It appears to be as potent as finasteride and is less expensive, better tolerated, and less likely to minimize PSA levels. No study has evaluated the effect of saw palmetto on long-term outcomes in patients with Benign prostate hyperplasia.
Can I Take Saw Palmetto If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
Saw palmetto is a hormone and is not likely to be safe to use during pregnancy. Do not use saw palmetto if you are pregnant.
Saw palmetto can make birth control pills less effective. Ask your doctor about using non hormonal birth control to prevent pregnancy.
Saw palmetto may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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Top 5 Prostate Support Supplements Of: Which Brands Think You’re Stupid
If youre looking for a better prostate support supplement, look no further!
Posted by the Senior Editor at website
See how we make our pick:
For men, declining prostate health is more common than hair loss.
An estimated 50% of men experience declining prostate health by age 50 and 75% by age 80, and because it is SO common, its become an accepted part of aging when it doesnt have to be.
If youre one of the 14 million Americans suffering from the symptoms of poor prostate health, you know all about the toll it takes on your everyday life:.
- Waking up again and again in the middle of the night to use the restroom , tossing and turning to get back to sleep only to wake up and drag yourself through the rest of the day.
- Standing over the toilet for minutes trying to get things started, not knowing when youre finished, and never feeling like your Prostate is as empty as youd hoped.
- Events as simple as a family picnic or a round of golf become a constant worry over when youll have to use the restroom next.
The nagging inconvenience of it all keeps you from enjoying things the way you used to. No matter how mild or severe your symptoms may be, you want them gone for good, and theres good news:
What used to be an accepted part of aging may now have some very promising solutions, but before we get to that, lets talk about how this problem gets started in the first place…
Uses For Saw Palmetto:
In addition to its use as a treatment for BPH, saw palmetto is used to treat colds and coughs, sore throat, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic prostatitis / male chronic pelvic pain syndrome, and migraine headache. It is also used as a diuretic to increase urine flow, as a sedative, and as an aphrodisiac. Some men use it as a treatment for baldness. However, experts rate saw palmetto as possibly ineffective for treatment of BPH, and suggest there to be insufficient evidence regarding its utility for prostate infections, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, prostate cancer, baldness, colds and coughs, sore throat, asthma, chronic bronchitis, migraine headache, increasing breast size, or for reducing bleeding after prostate surgery. Evidence from studies on the usefulness of saw palmetto as a treatment for BPH is mixed, with more recent trials suggesting less efficacy than previously believed.
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Saw Palmetto And Prostate Cancer
The potential for using saw palmetto in the fight against prostate cancer is still largely unknown, although some research has been done. In particular, two Italian studies reported that prostate cells treated with the extract underwent cell death .
Another study conducted at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was not as positive. Data in the study came from 35,239 men who had participated in the VITamins and Lifestyle project. The investigators looked at the mens supplement use and incidence of prostate cancer and did not find an association for use of saw palmetto.
Saw Palmetto For Hirsutism In Women
Where excess DHT shrinks the hair follicles in the scalp, it can have the opposite effect on hair follicles around the body, resulting in the excess body hair characterized by hirsutism. Hirsutism refers to the presence of coarse hairs on the body. It is believed to affect about 5 to 10 percent of women. Women with a buildup of DHT may experience sudden excess hair growth in areas where men usually grow hair, including on the abdomen, face, and arms.7 Saw palmettos potential to block DHT and regulate hormonal balance may help to prevent the growth of excess body hair in women.
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How Should I Take Saw Palmetto
When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements.
If you choose to use saw palmetto, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label.
Saw palmetto may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach.
Do not use different forms of saw palmetto at the same time without medical advice. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose.
Saw palmetto can affect blood-clotting and may increase your risk of bleeding. If you need surgery, dental work, or a medical procedure, stop taking saw palmetto at least 2 weeks ahead of time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
The Best Prostate Supplements
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Top 25 Prostate Supplements for Men
Prostate health is a significant consideration for men over 40. According to the University of Tennessee Medical Center, approximately 30 million men suffer from prostate conditions ranging from an enlarged prostate to prostate cancer. African-American men over 60, farmers, tire plant workers, painters, and men who have been exposed to cadmium have the highest risk of prostate cancer.
As you age, consult with your doctor about your prostate health. Also, alert your doctor if you have noticeable symptoms of a prostate condition, like frequent urination or decrease in libido. Detecting and treating prostate cancer early significantly increases your chances of survival.
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