Berry Good Alternative - Saw Palmetto Berry Extract

Saw palmetto is not deemed as a man's herb for no reason. Recent studies agree with centuries-old tradition in the effectiveness of this herb in maintaining a healthy prostate and alleviating symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH. BPH affects men mostly 50 years and above, and symptoms include frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and urinary voiding – caused by an enlarged prostate blocking the urethra.

Saw palmetto was a staple of the American-Indians before it was discovered as a potent medicine for the treatment of urinary problems. It grows in the southeastern region of the U.S., but is widely accepted in Germany, Austria, and other European countries as an alternative medicine for BPH and other urinary conditions. The active components, which have medicinal properties, can be found in the saw palmetto berry extract.

Saw palmetto berry extracts are more popular in older men. It's commonly used as an aphrodisiac, to enlarge breast size, alternative medicine for symptoms of chronic bronchitis or problems relating to the bronchial tract. All these claims, however, have not been proven by science and remains to be investigated.

The saw palmetto berry extract contain essential fatty acids like lauric acid, palmitic, acid, oleic acid, myristic acid, plant sterols and polysaccharides. Scientific studies have yet to reveal how these components help promote the health of prostates but several studies conducted previously support the popular claims on saw palmetto berry extract. Manufacturers of alternative medicine enclose the supplements in soft gels and are prepared in 160-320mg with 85-90% of saw palmetto berry extract – the dosage utilized in many researches.

A series of studies by The American Society for Cell Biology produced promising results although still in its infancy age. Researchers exposed prostate cancer cells to saw palmetto berry extracts in varying concentrations. Saw palmetto berry extracts decreased the cancer cell growth according to partial results of the study. The next study showed a decrease in COX-2 protein produced by cancer cells following exposure to saw palmetto berry extract.

The public is warned though that saw palmetto berry extract in supplements have not been evaluated nor regulated by the U.S. FDA. Studies did not find adverse side effects on patients who took saw palmetto berry extract for a lengthened period (some studies lasted for 48 weeks) but the most common mild side effect after taking saw palmetto supplements is gastrointestinal distress, which can be relieved by taking saw palmetto along with food.