Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is commonly used to support urinary system health, particularly in men experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The use of saw palmetto for urinary issues has both a traditional basis—Native Americans historically used the berries for urinary and reproductive health—and a scientific one, though scientific validation is mixed.

Numerous clinical studies and meta-analyses have examined saw palmetto’s effectiveness. Some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews (e.g., Cochrane Reviews) have found that saw palmetto extract may provide mild to moderate improvement in urinary symptoms such as frequency, nighttime urination, and urine flow, especially compared to placebo. However, other large, well-designed studies (such as the 2011 NEJM trial) have found no significant benefit compared to placebo. The variability in findings may be due to differences in the extracts used, dosages, and study populations.

Mechanistically, saw palmetto is thought to inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is implicated in prostate enlargement. It may also exert anti-inflammatory effects on the urinary tract. While the evidence base is not unequivocal, saw palmetto continues to be widely used and recommended for mild urinary symptoms, particularly in men. Overall, scientific evidence supports modest benefits, but it is not universally endorsed as a first-line or highly effective therapy.

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Other body systems supported by saw palmetto

Products containing saw palmetto

Vitabase Active Man's Formula
Vitabase Prostate Complex (Formerly Prostate Complete)
Vitabase Prostate Support
Designs For Health Prostate Supreme™
Designs For Health Prostate Supreme™
Pure Encapsulations Saw Palmetto 320
Pure Encapsulations Saw Palmetto 320
Douglas Laboratories Saw Palmetto Max-V
Pure Encapsulations Saw Palmetto Plus with Nettle Root
Pure Encapsulations Saw Palmetto Plus with Nettle Root
Pure Encapsulations Saw Palmetto Plus with Nettle Root
Pure Encapsulations SP Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations SP Ultimate
Douglas Laboratories TestoQuench ™ for Women
Metagenics Ultra Prostagen Concentrated
Douglas Laboratories Uro-Pro ®