Saw palmetto extract
Dietary supplement From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saw palmetto extract is an extract of the fruit of the saw palmetto. It is marketed as a dietary supplement that may help with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but there is no clinical evidence that it is effective for this purpose.[1][2][3][4]
Uses and research
Summarize
Perspective
Saw palmetto extract is commonly sold as a dietary supplement intended to improve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—also called prostate gland enlargement—which is a common condition among men as they age.[1][5] An enlarged prostate may cause increased frequency or urgency of urination, difficulty initiating urination, weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts, dribbling at the end of urination, and inability to completely empty the bladder.[5]
Saw palmetto extract has been studied in clinical trials as a possible treatment for people with prostate cancer and for men with lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH.[1][3] As of 2023[update], there is insufficient scientific evidence that saw palmetto extract is effective for treating cancer or BPH and its symptoms.[2][3] A 2023 review found that saw palmetto extract "provides little to no benefits for men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement."[4]
One 2016 review of clinical studies with a standardized extract of saw palmetto (called Permixon) found that the extract was safe and may be effective for relieving BPH-induced urinary symptoms compared with a placebo.[6]
Folk medicine
Saw palmetto was used in folk medicine to treat coughs or other disorders.[1]
Precautions and contraindications
Children
The use of saw palmetto extract is not recommended in children under 12 years old because it may affect the metabolism of androgen and estrogen hormones.[7]
Pregnancy and lactation
Saw palmetto extract should not be used during pregnancy because it may affect androgen and estrogen metabolism.[3][7] As there is no rationale for using saw palmetto during pregnancy, it should be avoided when pregnant or while breastfeeding.[3]
PSA test interference
Saw palmetto has been shown to reduce the levels of PSA in the blood, a hormone produced by the prostate and used as a marker by healthcare providers to evaluate the presence of prostate cancer. Taking saw palmetto can artificially reduce the levels of PSA, interfering with test results.[8]
Interactions
Saw palmetto extract has interactions with other medications.[3] When used in combination with an anticoagulant or anti-platelet drug, saw palmetto extract can increase the risk of bleeding by enhancing the anticoagulation or anti-platelet effects.[3] Some examples of anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and warfarin.[3]
References
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