Who Should Take Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a palm tree widely and commonly grown in the Southeast region of North America, especially Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas, where the soil is warm and sandy. It got its name from its sharp stems, which resemble saw-like teeth, so sharp it can rip clothes and skin. The dark berries produced serve as food for wild animals, bees, and the plant’s heart served as food for early American tribes. Today, these berries are sold dried and ground in tablet or capsule form. You can now easily order saw palmetto online. Early Americans used the berries as a natural diuretic, remedy for cough and other reproductive-related conditions.
It also has been touted as a natural booster of testosterone levels, which ultimately results in prostate health.
But Is It Just for Men?
Knowing this supplement’s benefits and uses will give us an idea of who can take it.
Here is a list of uses and benefits:
1. DHT or dihydrotestosterone is a hormone responsible for causing hair loss in men. In contrast, too much dihydrotestosterone in women results in the increased body and facial hair growth, menstrual irregularities and a high incidence of acne.
Saw palmetto hinders an enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.
2. DHT is also involved in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or the enlargement of the prostate gland. Enlarged prostate blocks the normal flow of urine through the tract resulting in urinary retention and kidney problems. Impaired bladder causes a frequent urge to urinate, an urgency to urinate, increased nocturnal urination spoiling a good night’s sleep, difficulty in starting urination, incomplete bladder emptying, and weak urine stream. All these unhealthy bladder emptying activities severely affect kidney health, which may lead to chronic disease.
This supplement has high contents of antioxidants called Epicatechin and Methyl Gallate. These antioxidants are known to reduce inflammation of prostate glands associated with BPH. Reduced inflammation results in relief from symptoms earlier mentioned, such as frequency and urgency of urination.
3. Testosterone is an androgen (or sex hormone) present in both men and women. For women, this hormone is converted to Estrogen.
Regulating testosterone levels impacts a man’s fertility because it helps in the development of mature sperm. It contributes to a man’s muscle development, red blood cell production, bone mass and sex drive. For women, some signs of excess testosterone are baldness, irregular menstrual pattern, acne, facial hair growth, deep voice and reduction in breast size. Regulated testosterone levels in women will address conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The elevated male hormone in women causes this condition.
Saw palmetto is a natural supplement that regulates testosterone levels. It works by blocking 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT, thereby preserving testosterone levels in the body.
The emerging culture of inactivity contributes to many health issues. The growing BPH cases could be due to these lifestyle changes – a sedentary lifestyle, busy schedules resulting in bad bladder emptying habits, increased coffee and alcohol consumption, high meat and less fibre diet.
It is always best to manage these factors and quickly change our lifestyle to stop the condition’s progression. People affected by BPH and other related disorders can take supplements and order saw palmetto online to help address early symptoms, relieve discomforts and improve quality of life.
Author Bio: Reba Webb is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
