In this article you will learn:<\/p>\n
- \n
- What is\u00a0saw palmetto<\/li>\n
- Does it boost testosterone?<\/li>\n
- Is it safe to use?<\/li>\n
- What safe alternatives are available?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nWhat is saw palmetto?<\/h2>\n
Saw palmetto is a supplement derived from the berry extract of the\u00a0serenoa repens\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>palm plant, often referred to as ‘s. repens’<\/strong><\/em>. It is native to the Southeast US and is characterized by its fan palm shape and teeth-like leaves that are sharp enough to break the skin – the reason why the common name ‘saw’ is used to describe it.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, the extract from the serenoa plant has been used as herbal medicine for libido and fertility<\/strong>, as well as\u00a0benign prostatic hyperplasia\u00a0<\/strong>– <\/em>a condition where the prostate becomes enlarged but not cancerous.<\/p>\n
The plant contains a number of fatty acids as well as\u00a0phytosterols<\/strong> <\/em>– steroid compounds similar to cholesterol.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Serenoa-Repens\"](\"https:\/\/www.testofuel.com\/tf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Serenoa-Repens.jpg\")
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\n\nKey Point:<\/strong> The saw palmetto extract derives from the serenoa repens<\/em> palm plant. Its sharp, blade like leaves give it its ‘saw’ like appearance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nDoes saw palmetto boost testosterone?<\/h2>\n
Although a popular supplement in bodybuilding circles for some time, there is very little evidence that this drug can elevate your T levels.<\/p>\n
Before we look at the research we need to look firstly at two\u00a0important biomarkers associated with\u00a0testosterone production.<\/p>\n
The first one is a very\u00a0potent androgen hormone called\u00a0dihydrotestosterone (DHT)<\/strong> \u2013 a\u00a0lot of our free T\u00a0is converted within the cells to this hormone, and it is DHT that is responsible for body hair growth as well as assisting T is muscle growth and strength.<\/p>\n
Secondly,\u00a0the enzyme 5-alpha reductase\u00a0<\/strong>is really important in the optimization\u00a0of T as it is responsible for converting some of it into potent DHT. Both are important aspects of overall of the male hormone profile.<\/p>\n
Here’s what the research says about saw palmetto and testosterone:<\/p>\n
#Study 1:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>Strauch et al [1]<\/p>\n
This study, published in\u00a0European Urology,\u00a0<\/em>enrolled 32 healthy, male volunteers on a program of saw palmetto as a way of evaluating either single or multiple doses on 5 alpha-reductase.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
The supplement was taken twice daily, totalling 80mg per day over a 7 day period.\u00a0Serum testosterone levels remained within the normal ranges<\/strong>,\u00a0as did DHT demonstrating no benefit to male hormone levels.<\/p>\n
As DHT is responsible for many essential male traits, it is important that levels remain elevated. There are a number of studies that show saw palmetto can inhibit\u00a05 alpha-reductase levels, therefore blunting DHT production.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
#Study 2:<\/strong><\/span> Marks et al [2]<\/p>\n
For example, in this study using 40 men, DHT levels were seen to decrease by 32% after a 6 month dose of saw palmetto herbal blend.<\/p>\n
The researchers suggested that inhibition of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase was a mechanism of action<\/strong>\u00a0and that this led to the drop in DHT.<\/p>\n
#Study 3:<\/strong><\/span> Di Silverio [3]<\/p>\n
In this study on men with enlarged prostates,\u00a0320mg of s.repens supplementation per day for 3 months\u00a0actually saw an\u00a0increase in testosterone<\/strong>. You’d think that this was a good thing, but a\u00a0statistically significant reduction in DHT was observed\u00a0too. Remember that DHT is a more potent version of T and required to boost its power<\/strong><\/em>. If it is blocked from converting then that’s a bad thing.<\/p>\n
\n![\"Saw-Palmetto-Side-Effects\"](\"https:\/\/www.testofuel.com\/tf\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/Saw-Palmetto-Side-Effects.jpg\")
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\nAre there any side effects?<\/h2>\n
By now you are probably seeing that this supplement isn’t really that beneficial for your T levels. You also need to be aware of the side effects associated with this drug as well.<\/p>\n
Serious adverse reactions to this drug are relatively rare however some case reports have reported serious side effects. For example, one medical case study [4] reported that a 53 year old male was admitted to the emergency room after taking saw palmetto for a benign prostate complaint.<\/p>\n
He\u00a0was suffering from an\u00a0intraoperative haemorrhage\u00a0<\/strong>– <\/em>a type of bleeding that requires emergency intervention to save the patient’s life.<\/p>\n
Another case study highlighted acute hepatitis and pancreatitis in a 55 year-old male [5]. He was taking the drug for an enlarged prostate but was admitted to hospital suffering from stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.<\/p>\n
The authors of the case study concluded that ‘natural’ medicinal preparations such as saw palmetto are not necessarily safe and the importance of a detailed medication history cannot be over emphasized.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Other, less severe side effects may include headaches and migraines as well as general nausea and vomiting. It may also invoke constipation, cramps and aches too.<\/p>\n