Saw Palmetto Extract

Saw Palmetto Extract is a concentrated extract derived primarily from the fruit of the saw palmetto plant (Serenoa repens, also called Sabal serrulata), a small palm native to the southeastern United States. This extract is rich in lipids, including fatty acids, phytosterols (such as beta-sitosterol), and other bioactive compounds like flavonoids and polyisoprenoids.

Appearance: The extract is typically a liposterolic oily substance, a viscous oil that can be difficult to handle in pure form. It can also be found as a fine powder when spray-dried or processed differently.

Physical State: Highly viscous oil under normal conditions; some processed forms are made non-viscous or solid with additives like zein.

Color and Odor: It has a characteristic unpleasant odor due to its fatty acid and sterol content.

The extract is standardized to contain a high concentration of fatty acids, typically around 80-90% of the extract by weight. Common fatty acids include oleic acid (around 49% of total fatty acids), lauric acid (around 17.6%), caprylic acid, capric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linoleic acid. Many fatty acids are present as triglycerides for better absorption.

Saw Palmetto Extract offers several potential health benefits, primarily linked to its content of fatty acids, phytosterols (notably beta-sitosterol), and other bioactive compounds. Key benefits supported by research include:

• Hair Loss Prevention: Saw palmetto may block 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone associated with hair loss. This can reduce DHT’s effect on hair follicles, leading to improved hair quality and density. Studies have reported increased hair count and reduced hair fall with saw palmetto supplementation.

• Improved Urinary Tract Function: It may help alleviate urinary symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as incomplete bladder emptying and frequent urination, by relaxing smooth muscles and possibly reducing inflammation in the urinary tract. Some clinical trials demonstrated improved urine flow and quality of life, though results across studies vary.

• Prostate Health Support: Saw palmetto has been used traditionally and studied for its potential to support prostate health by reducing inflammation, blocking DHT effects, and possibly preventing the progression of BPH, which is prostate gland enlargement common in older men. The evidence is mixed but promising for symptom relief and inflammation reduction.

• Anti-inflammatory Effects: Animal and early human studies suggest saw palmetto can decrease inflammation markers, particularly in prostate tissue, which may contribute to reducing swelling and discomfort associated with BPH.

• Testosterone Regulation: By inhibiting the conversion of testosterone into DHT, saw palmetto may help maintain testosterone levels, which influence body composition, mood, sex drive, and brain function. Some studies noted increases in serum testosterone with supplementation.