Each week we bring news of a product, foodstuff, exercise technique or pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties. This week, it’s saw palmetto.
By Robert Carry
The health-giving benefits of saw palmetto
Who doesn’t want to be that little bit healthier? Especially if improving your health involves minimal effort. With this in mind we’ve made it our mission to bring you news each week of a product, a foodstuff, an exercise technique or a pill that promises potentially magical health-giving properties.
This week’s magic ingredient: Saw palmetto.
Not to be confused with: Saw dust. Hacksaws. Saw I, Saw II or Saw III.
Strange name. What is it then? Saw Palmetto, also known as Serenoa, is a small plant similar to a palm tree which is native to the eastern US. The plant’s fruit has long been used for medicinal purposes by members of Florida’s Seminole Tribe. It grows extremely slowly, and some of the trees found in Florida are believed to be between 500-700 years old.
What does it do for you? Well, quite a lot actually. It is most commonly used by men who have urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland. However, it has been shown to be useful in the treatment of a range of other conditions including chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders, prostate cancer and hormone imbalances. Interestingly, promising results have been shown in studies which have looked at its viability for the treatment of decreased sex drive and male pattern hair loss.
How does it do that? The fruits of the saw palmetto are packed with fatty acids and phytosterols. Extracts of the fruits have been hit with a battery of tests, particularly in relation to urinary tract infections, some of which have shown it to bring about mild to moderate improvement. Tests aimed at establishing the other benefits are ongoing.
How is it taken? Saw palmetto comes in a range of forms, although most products stem from its fruit. You can pick up whole berries, although they are hard to come across in this part of the world. Instead, you might have better luck finding its dried fruit. It is also commonly turned into liquid extracts, tablets, capsules, and as an infusion or tea.
Are there any side-effects? Saw palmetto doesn’t appear to pose much of a risk in this department and the vast majority of those who take it will be fine. The odd person might get some mild stomach discomfort, but that’s about the size of it.
Where do you get it? Saw Palmetto is becoming increasingly popular, particularly for its potential as a hair-loss treatment. You can pick it up in most health food shops, and it can be bought online. As always, though, you should consult your doctor before taking saw palmetto.
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