Saw palmetto comes from a small palm tree common to the southeast US and research is starting to uncover its possible benefits particularly in mens health. Traditionally used to help urinary issues and with prostate health, taking this small, berry-like fruit as an herbal remedy. There has been a recent surge of interest in its purported ability to enhance testosterone levels. One theory is that it can help with hormonal balance, thereby improving the overall health ofthe body. And, of course, the all-important question: just how well does it work for raising testosterone? We will fully examine the science, benefits, and correct use of Saw Palmetto.
What Testosterone Is and What It Does in the Body
Testosterone is necessary for regulating muscle mass, bone density, mood and your sexual health. It is a hormone that naturally falls with age, and lost endogenous testosterone can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, decreased libido, muscle strength … A lot of Men try to naturally elevate their testosterone pulling from herb supplements like Saw Palmetto.
What Is Saw Palmetto?
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens): As mentioned earlier, Saw palmetto is a plant that is a good source for fatty acids and phytosterols. Known as a traditional medicine, It has long been utilized to treat troubles of the kidney and reproductive systems in alternative medicine. Saw Palmetto berries have traditionally been used as a treatment for reproductive and urinary tract problems by Native Americans. Fast forwarding to today, it is primarily marketed as a successful supplement for the promotion of prostate health and has been shown in some studies to regulate hormones like testosterone.
How Does Saw Palmetto Work?
Saw Palmetto is thought to function by preventing the conversion of testosterone into DHT. DHT is a substane produced from testosterone, it has been link to male pattern baldness and BPH. As it decreases quantities of DHT, it may assist aid in keeping testosterone levels in the body. This is one of the reasons why it could be so good at keeping hormonal balance and your prostate healthy.
Studies on Testosterone and Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto: Saw palmetto is frequently promoted as a testosterone booster, but scientific evidence to support this claim may be relatively sparse and sometimes conflicting. Saw Palmetto has been studied extensively and is known as a tool for better prostate health, helping to reduce symptoms of BPH — which have close ties with DHT levels. However, the extent of its effects on testosterone levels is still under research.
Hormonal Balance and BPH Study
For BPH, one major study found that men who supplemented with Saw Palmetto experienced significant relief from urinary symptoms and a decrease in the size of the prostate. This is good news for prostate health, though the study did not definitively prove a decrease in testosterone. This doesn't necessarily mean blocking DHT will reduce your overall testosterone levels, but it's alright the lowering of DHT that may help with stabilize testosterone at endocrine level for some time.
Study on Hormonal Effects
In a pilot study of healthy men consuming Saw Palmetto extract, it has been reported that enzyme 5-alpha-reductase was reduced, which is intended for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. This implies that although therapy with testosterone itself does not result in significantly elevated levels of the latter, timely inhibition of 5α-reductase helps to prevent at least some of the conversion to DHT so that more free testosterone could be made use by the body.
Additional Findings
Anecdotal reports and small studies suggest that men who used Saw Palmetto experienced increases in libido, energy levels, and-or overall sense of well-being. While these benefits may not directly indicate its influence on testosterone, they might be indirect evidence that ashwagandha certainly helps with improving healthy levels.
Saw Palmetto Benefits for Testosterone and Men´s Health
While the direct effect on testosterone is still up for debate, saw palmetto can provide many other health benefits which might make it a supplement of interest to men.
Prostate Support: By reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, Saw Palmetto can be beneficial in preventing the progression of prostate enlargement and promoting proper urinary function.
Balanced Hormones: Saw Palmetto balances hormonal by lowering DHT levels, which can mean indirectly improving testosterone balance as well.
Increased Libido and Sexual Function: Saw Palmetto is also said to produce a more balanced state in the body, which may help reduce the unhealthy levels of DHT that can have negative effects on sexual function.
Lessens Hair Loss: DHT is a leading factor in male pattern baldness, so utilizing Saw Palmetto could decrease the speed of hair loss but also result in new healthy hair growth.
Saw Palmetto Usage and Safety
Saw Palmetto is found in different forms of capsules, tablets and extracts. The recommended dosage varies between 160 to 320 mg per day, but you should stick with the suggested dose on product labels or contact a health professional prior to taking.
Saw Palmetto is mostly safe for most people, however some experience nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea or dizziness. There are also various herbs and other supplements (like Saw Palmetto) that can interact with medications, specifically those which have an impact on hormones: for example birth control or hormone replacement therapy. Always speak with a doctor, particularly if you are taking medication or prescribed or have pain due to health conditions.
Saw Palmetto Testosterone Booster?
For men with an interest in maintaining a healthy hormonal environment, Saw Palmetto can be beneficial due to its ability to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Nevertheless, if there is your primary objective to dramatically raise testosterone levels then you could need to integrate it with other lifestyle or even the supplement. A sound diet, lifestyle modification and managing stress are key factors in naturally optimizing your metabolism for testosterone production.
Conclusion
Though its potential to support testosterone is still facing scientific analysis, saw palmetto has a reputation for positively affecting prostate health and hormonal balance. It is able to inhibit DHT which in return may help indirectly maintain optimal levels of testosterone and with it overall men's health. If you want to start using Saw Palmetto be healthy, talk to your doctor about how best to incorporate it into your routine.
