Evidence supporting the use of: Saw palmetto
For the body system: Prostate

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) has been traditionally used to support prostate health, particularly in alleviating symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland common in older men. Historically, Native American populations used saw palmetto berries for urinary and reproductive issues, which has contributed to its reputation for prostate support.

Scientific research on saw palmetto has produced mixed results. Some early clinical trials and meta-analyses suggested that saw palmetto extract could modestly improve urinary symptoms and flow measures in men with mild to moderate BPH compared to placebo. However, more recent, larger, and well-designed randomized controlled trials (such as the 2011 STEP trial published in JAMA) have generally found that saw palmetto is no more effective than placebo for improving BPH symptoms.

Despite its popularity and a good safety profile, the overall scientific consensus is that saw palmetto offers, at best, limited benefit for prostate health, especially in comparison to standard pharmaceutical treatments. Its widespread use is supported by both tradition and some early scientific findings, but robust, consistent scientific validation is lacking, which is reflected in the moderate evidence rating.

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