Saw Palmetto and Men’s Health Benefits:
Serenoa repens, better known as Saw Palmetto, is a plant native to North America. Native Americans have used it for centuries as a tonic, topical cleanser against germs, and to remedy urinary and reproductive disorders in men. European and American settlers used saw palmetto for a wide range of ailments. In recent years saw palmetto has been used for prostate health problems. While studies have proven saw palmetto an option for many men who have prostate health problems, as well as other conditions associated with aging in men. Some of these other conditions include low testosterone levels, erectile response, mood swings, and male pattern baldness.
Saw Palmetto for Prostate/Urinary Effects:
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It’s a walnut-sized gland located inside the body between the bladder and urethra. Your prostate typically gets bigger with age. However, a prostate gland that grows too large can place pressure on your bladder or urethra. This can cause urinary problems. Recent interest has been rekindled, and saw palmetto currently is ranked in the top 10 herbal products in the US. Saw palmetto is used to help symptoms of prostate health problems, including reducing urinary frequency, increasing urinary flow, and decreasing nighttime urination. Saw palmetto works by stopping the breakdown of testosterone into its byproduct, called dihydrotestosterone. This helps the body hold onto more of its testosterone and create less dihydrotestosterone. This can slow or stop the growth of the prostate gland.
Does Saw Palmetto Help Boost Testosterone?
Saw Palmetto is often promoted as a testosterone booster and it is because it works. Although researchers don’t fully understand how it works, it is often thought that it helps reduce the conversion of testosterone into DHT. Saw Palmetto is found in many testosterone boosting supplements as a “complimentary” ingredient to the other more effective natural testo boosting ingredients. Because it aids in prostate health and erectile problems, it is a perfect additional ingredient to a male-oriented supplement.
Saw Palmetto Natural Supplement for Men Sexual Health:
As anyone who has walked around the sea islands of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida can attest, cabbage palms or palmetto scrub bushes grow like weeds and their six to seven pronged fronds leave a mean scratch if a person inadvertently brushes against them. What many people who live in these areas might not know is the raisin-like fruit of these wild bushes is the source of the dietary supplement Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), which men have used for centuries to improve and enhance their sexual health. Today, the typical men’s multivitamin contains Saw Palmetto as a key ingredient to support the sexual health of men.
Saw Palmetto Impact on Muscle Mass:
One of the more recent developments in the saw palmetto debate is its impact on muscle mass. Many bodybuilders and people engaged in serious gym time have turned to saw palmetto as a workout supplement. Although research into saw palmetto’s impact on muscle mass and development is still ongoing, early reports do show a correlation between the two. It makes sense, given saw palmetto’s impact on testosterone in the body, which is responsible for muscle mass increases, but it should only be taken in moderation.
Saw Palmetto as Protection against Hair Loss:
The conversion of testosterone by 5-alpha reductase in the hair follicles has been determined to be the leading cause of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). By inhibiting the action of this enzyme, saw palmetto may lessen hair loss and may stimulate hair growth. Researchers have further observed that saw palmetto extract contributes to hair regrowth. Again, due to saw palmetto’s hormonal impact on the body, some men have begun using saw palmetto to stimulate hair growth as they age. Studies have shown a negative correlation between saw palmetto use and male-pattern baldness symptoms, so if your hair is beginning to thin out, consider some supplementation to wind back the clock.
Saw Palmetto Benefits for Women Breast Enlargement:
Saw palmetto is purported to support breast enlargement, according to some herbalists and alternative health practitioners. This advantage is contingent upon the assumption that the herb stimulates the creation of the female hormone. Hormone is released by the pituitary gland that encourages breast growth and milk production in those that are breastfeeding. Saw palmetto’s touted capability to boost breast size in females.
Saw Palmetto for Improved Male & Female Fertility:
Saw palmetto has a variety of actions. Many of these actions may directly or indirectly support proper function of the reproductive system and overall health of the body. People with high stress, poor immune function, poor lifestyle and dietary habits, have shown to respond well to this herb.This plant is classified as an adaptogen, antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory, demulcent, urinary antiseptic, immune amphoteric. Saw Palmetto is also a reproductive amphoteric. What does that mean though? It simply means it normalizes reproductive function. Poor nutritional and lifestyle habits, combined with high levels of stress may cause lower sperm counts. Saw Palmetto is nourishing to the entire endocrine system, which may help improve overall reproductive function in men.