| Certification: | ISO, Kosher |
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| Assay Method: | Gc |
| Application Form: | Suppository, Paste, Tablet, Capsule |
| Application: | Health Care Products, Medicine |
| State: | Powder |
| Extract Source: | Berry |
| Customization: |
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Audited Supplier Saw palmetto benefits have been known for a long time. The saw palmetto plant was used for medicine by the Native Americans of the southeastern United States, and in the early 20th century, men used the berries to treat urinary tract problems and increase sperm production.
Today, saw palmetto supplements are one of the most commonly consumed supplements by men with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In fact, in 2011, over $18 million in saw palmetto was sold in the United States, ranking it third among herbal dietary supplements.
The most important factor about saw palmetto is that it's been shown to slow the production of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, so taking it is a strong step to improve health. While DHT is important because it plays a role in male development, it also contributes to many common health issues in men, such as loss of libido, an enlarged prostate and hair loss. By taking saw palmetto supplements or using the extract of this beneficial plant, you inhibit the production of this hormone and avoid these issues that are seen in middle-aged and older males.
The size of the prostate changes with age. It's about the size of a walnut in younger men, but it can grow to be much larger in older men - and this can become problematic.
The prostate usually stays at about the same size or grows slowly in adults, as long as male hormones are present. It's when the prostate becomes enlarged that men begin experiencing symptoms from BPH and lower urinary tract issues
Saw palmetto extract is taken from the deep purple berries of the saw palmetto fan palm, which is known as Serenoa repens. Saw palmetto is a fan palm that grows as a tree or shrub and has lush, green leaves that fan out from its thorn stem. It can reach heights of 10 feet in warm climates, with leaf clusters that can reach two feet or more.
The plant is a native of West Indies, and in the United States, saw palmetto grows in the warm climates of the southeast coast, from South Carolina to throughout Florida.
Saw palmetto benefits have been known for centuries, and the plant has been used in traditional, eclectic and alternative medicine. Its active ingredients include fatty acids, plant sterols and flavonoids. The berries also contain high molecular weight polysaccharides (sugars), which may reduce inflammation that's at the root of most diseases and strengthen the immune system - thus adding immune system booster to the list of saw palmetto benefits.
The most common form of an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic hyperplasia - or BPH. The prostate gland can become inflamed or enlarged as men get older. The prostate then compresses the urethra, leading to difficulty with urination that results in bladder infections or bladder stones. BPH can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including hormonal changes (such as excess estrogen), deteriorating blood vessels and a zinc deficiency.
The American Urological Association reports that by the age of 60, over 50 percent of men will have BPH, and by age 85, 90 percent of men will have this condition. To add to this, one-fourth of these men will develop moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms that will greatly affect their quality of life.
Other treatments for BPH, alpha blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors cause sexual dysfunctions themselves - while saw palmetto is a natural supplement that doesn't have a long list of side effects. That makes it one of the best sources to improve prostate health the natural way.
One 2012 study conducted in Switzerland analyzed 82 patients in an eight-week trial; the patients took one capsule of 320milligrams saw palmetto extract daily. At the end of the treatment, the International Prostate Symptom Score was reduced from 14.4±4.7 to 6.9±5.2. Investigators' and patients' assessments confirmed the good efficacy, and treatment was very well-tolerated and accepted by the patients.
A systematic literature review of 11 studies identified saw palmetto supplements as one of the five commonly used forms of alternative medicine by men with prostate cancer.
The science is still unclear on this matter, but studies on two 5-alpha reductase inhibitor prescriptions, Finasteride (Proscar) and Dutasteride (Avodart) found that men taking either drug were less likely to develop prostate cancer after several years than men getting an inactive placebo. The problem lies in the side effects of these medications - they can cause sexual side effects, such as lowered sexual desire and impotence.
Studies have also found that saw palmetto inhibits the growth of prostatic cancer cells and may destroy dangerous cells. A study conducted at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Beijing found that saw palmetto induced growth arrest of prostate cancer LNCaP, DU145 and PC3 cells and down-regulated DHT, the hormone that leads to prostate enlargement.
Another interesting note about saw palmetto is the research that has been done to measure its effect on post-surgery recovery time. Prostate surgery (known as transurethral resection of the prostate or TURP) can require a lengthy recovery period, but research shows that taking 320 milligrams of saw palmetto daily for two months before prostate surgery can reduce the time spent in surgery. It also helps with blood loss, the development of problems during surgery and the total time spent in the hospital.
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