The prostate gland is an intricate part of the male reproductive system. It produces a fluid that combines with sperm during ejaculation, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Saw palmetto is a palm-type plant with berries that's used in both the United States and Europe to promote prostate health, according to the Mayo Clinic. It's most often used to help reverse a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It's also used to guard against prostate cancer and treat erectile dysfunction. Consult with your doctor before taking saw palmetto for conditions related to the prostate.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
As a man ages, his risk for developing BPH rises, according to the Connecticut Surgical Group. Approximately 50 percent of men in their 60s have symptoms of BPH. Nearly 80 percent of men over age 80 are affected. BPH obstructs the flow of urine and can make men more vulnerable to bladder problems, stones, urinary tract infections and even kidney failure, states the Mayo Clinic.
Research is mixed as to the effectiveness of saw palmetto to relieve BPH symptoms. Taking 160 milligrams of saw palmetto two times a day may help diminish symptoms such as difficult urination, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Saw Palmetto appears to work by keeping testosterone from breaking down into a form that promotes prostate tissue growth, notes the Connecticut Surgical Group.
Prostate Cancer
Saw palmetto appears to show promise as an alternative remedy for prostate cancer, the most common malignancy in men over age 50. More than 179,000 American men were expected to be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society.
An animal study published in September 2007 in the International Journal of Oncology suggests that saw palmetto arrested the growth of tumor cells. Researchers concluded the herb may be a potential treatment for prostate cancer. The Mayo Clinic advises, however, that no complementary or alternative treatments can cure prostate cancer.
Erectile Dysfunction
Saw palmetto may help treat prostate-related erectile dysfunction, or ED, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A man with ED is unable to achieve or maintain an erection. The recommended dosage for sexual problems is 160 milligrams twice daily. Saw palmetto may have to be taken for a period of months before its effects become apparent, notes the Connecticut Surgical Group.
