Saw palmetto berries uses and benefits

Saw palmetto is a supplement made from the fruit of the Serenoa repens tree. It’s often used to treat enlarged prostate, improve urinary function, and enhance hair growth. Some also use the supplement to boost libido and fertility and reduce inflammation.

1. Prevents hair loss
2. May decrease inflammation
3. May support prostate health
4. Improves urinary tract function
5. May help regulate testosterone levels
Women suffering from PCOS will have a higher level of the Estrogen hormone. This in turn will affect the balance of hormones LH and FSH which are necessary for a healthy menstrual cycle.

The effects of saw palmetto may regulate the progesterone receptors and help reduce estrogen levels in order to maintain a healthy hormonal balance.

Hirsutism is a condition affecting women that causes excessive dark hair growth on the face, back and chest. It can affect many women, particularly those with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Whilst the DHT hormone level will shrink the hair follicle on the head, it has the opposite effect on body hairs. Research shows women with PCOS are converting testosterone to DHT at a higher frequency than those without, which is why they are more susceptible to hirsutism.

Therefore, the benefits of saw palmetto in blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme will help to reduce DHT levels in women suffering with hirsutism.

Testosterone levels can manage muscle mass, sex drive, brain function and mood but levels can decrease with age. Just as it benefits hair growth, saw palmetto benefits testosterone levels by blocking the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme and reducing the amount it converts into DHT. As men age, there can be health benefits to taking saw palmetto supplements to keep testosterone levels steady.

The prostate gland sits between the bladder and penis and regulates the urinary tract function and sperm health. Some men may experience prostate enlargement as they age, and although research is not conclusive on the cause, there are suggestions that it is affected by the change in hormone levels.

Symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia causes urinary tract problems which may be treated with saw palmetto. Saw palmetto supports healthy prostate function butt is inconclusive on the mechanism of the activity.

It is recommended that those suffering from an enlarged prostate see a healthcare provider to rule out prostate cancer.

Urinary dysfunction such as difficulty in urinating, pain or incontinence, can affect older people. The medical condition, benign prostatic hyperplasia, can cause an enlarged prostate and generate urinary tract symptoms that affect urine flow.

Saw palmetto may relieve pressure on the tubes responsible for urine flow and may be used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Saw palmetto may reduce hair loss in two ways. It may block the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into DHT and it may also reduce the consumption of DHT by the hair follicle. If you have a higher level of testosterone or DHT, saw palmetto extract could help your body maintain a healthy level and reduce your chances of hair loss.