Saw Palmetto Affects Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer seems to accompany with age. Men in the advancing age are more susceptible with the disease that first may starts off as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Though BPH does not necessarily develop into prostate cancer, the symptoms of the condition are quite a nuisance and sometimes humiliating. Frequent urinations especially at night and overflow incontinence can be symptoms of BPH or prostate cancer, which discreetly affect the quality of life.

For discussion purposes, we'll see how saw palmetto affects prostate cancer. Saw palmetto, a palm-like low-lying plant, is widely renowned for its benefits in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms as well as inhibiting the formation of the compound dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the culprit that commands cells to over multiply resulting in enlarged prostates. Saw palmetto's uses trace back to the Indian-Americans who utilized the fruits of this plant as a staple until they discovered its medicinal uses.

Previous studies failed to conclude that saw palmetto affects prostate cancer, other than providing symptomatic relief to BPH and irritations of the urinary tract. However, inconclusive data do show that main active elements found in saw palmetto, which are the plant sterols, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and polysaccharides. Saw palmetto inhibits the overproduction of human sex hormones, consequently correcting hormonal imbalance.

By inhibiting testosterone, saw palmetto affects prostate cancer symptoms to some degree by lowering the amounts of the compound DHT. However, the American Urological Association (AUA) warns the public against consuming saw palmetto supplements purportedly to improve symptoms related to BPH. Since saw palmetto affects prostate cancer symptoms to a significant extent, people having this condition might become complacent and ignore the symptoms resulting to a delay in medical treatment. As to how saw palmetto affects prostate cancer, studies still hold no relevant conclusions.

Currently, there are no established corollary evidences as to how saw palmetto affects prostate cancer. Like any other cancers, however, prostate cancer is curable when detected early so there's still hope for prostate cancer patients. The AUA would like to stress that albeit saw palmetto alleviates conditions in the urinary tract, there hasn’t been any study proving its medicinal ability as a cure for cancer. Nevertheless, the essential oils found in saw palmetto such as lauric acid, plant sterols, and polysaccharides have health benefits when taken in recommended doses of 160mg to 320mg per day. There are no reported contraindications to saw palmetto except a common side effect like gastrointestinal distress, which can be relieved when taking saw palmetto supplements with food.