Saw Palmetto Side Effects and Benefits - An Intro to a Popular Herbal Extract

Saw palmetto side effects have been studied extensively as it has become one of the most popular herbal supplements on the market. Although saw palmetto is considered a safe herb, you should be aware of any side effects or adverse interactions that might occur.

As is the case with all health supplements, saw palmetto products are not regulated by the FDA, which means that many saw palmetto products do not contain the amounts of saw palmetto stated on the bottle, and worse, could contain harmful contaminants.

Saw Palmetto Benefits

Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree that is native to Florida and the Gulf Coast. Its berries contain the powerful compound beta sitosterol, which is where its therapeutic benefits lie.

Saw palmetto is used mainly to prevent benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), enlargement of the prostate gland in men. The beta sitosterol in saw palmetto acts to inhibit the growth of the prostate gland by interfering with the enzymes that facilitate this process.

Some people have taken saw palmetto for hair loss, as the enzyme action to inhibit prostate growth may also inhibit hair loss. Yet when it comes to hair thinning saw palmetto needs to be further tested to be proven effective.

Saw Palmetto Side Effects

Studies have shown that the safety profile of saw palmetto is positive, with few and relatively mild side effects that are generally reversible. There is a low level of toxicity and good tolerability. Saw palmetto side effects are not much different than those of other herbs and herbal supplements.

Saw palmetto side effects may include mild headaches and upset stomach. Some people have experienced slight allergic reactions. Since saw palmetto has hormonal action, men with hormonal problems should take caution.

Although saw palmetto side effects are generally mild and short-lived, if you are interested in taking a saw palmetto or beta sitosterol supplement you have to make sure it is a high quality product.

If you purchase a poor quality supplement the side effects could be much worse, even deadly!

Finding a Quality Saw Palmetto Supplement - Minimize Saw Palmetto Side Effects

If you are interested in taking a saw palmetto supplement, you have to make sure you are taking a supplement with standardized herbal extract of pure saw palmetto. An even better choice would be pure beta sitosterol. This is where all of the prostate health benefits are derived from. Most saw palmetto products on the market are comprised of 85% fatty acids, and only a fraction of beta sitosterol. But beware, because these products do not contain enough active ingredient to offer you saw palmetto benefits.

Also, you must make sure that the saw palmetto/beta sitosterol product is manufactured at a facility that follows strict GMP compliance. These are the strictest manufacturing standards in the world - the same standards that pharmaceutical drugs have to follow - so you know that they are the highest quality products you can buy.

It's important to note that under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, herbal products are considered dietary supplements, so manufacturers do not have to guarantee the content or effectiveness of their products.

As a result many of these products contain very little or none of the ingredients they claim to (therefore, no benefits) or too much ingredient (dangerous!). Still others contain harmful contaminants that could cause serious damage to your body!

That's why you have to find a high quality saw palmetto/beta sitosterol supplement, one with standardized herbal extract, manufactured under GMP compliance by a well highly-trained, highly-credentialed product formulator.

Are you better off with saw palmetto on its own or as part of a more comprehensive formula?

You can purchase an individual saw palmetto supplement, or you can buy a more comprehensive product that includes saw palmetto extract (beta sitosterol) along with other herbs, vitamins and minerals. In our opinion, you are better off with the latter for many reasons.

Maximize the saw palmetto benefits

Many herbalists and scientists feel that you can achieve better results with a blend of herbs, vitamins and minerals in one formula. Here's why:

A) Many herbs, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients work together synergistically - often a blend of nutrients can work better together than one nutrient on its own. The therapeutic effect is enhanced by the nutrients working together.

For example: Saw palmetto (beta sitosterol) can work together with lycopene and zinc to promote prostate health. Vitamin E works in conjunction with Vitamin C in a similar fashion.

B) You can help several body systems at one time - you can treat a condition with one herb, protect your body with another and make sure the condition does not return with yet another herb.

For example: Saw palmetto (beta sitosterol) can act to inhibit prostate growth, while corn silk can regulate your urinary system and amino acids can help alleviate BPH symptoms.

C) Herbs can offset the possible side effects of each other - an herb that helps alleviate a problem in one area can help treat a slight side effect that may be caused by another.

For example: Saw palmetto (beta sitosterol) could cause a mild side effect that is easily treated with ginger present in the formula.

Another thing to consider is that many saw palmetto products on the market don't even contain saw palmetto extract! It's hard to believe but it's true! This is the case with many different single and multi-herb products.

In a recent study, a test of 54 ginseng products found that 25% of them did not even contain ginseng! It's amazing what marketers will do when they don't have to account for the ingredients in their products!

So you can see how important it is to find a high quality product, and how a blend of herbs, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients may be more beneficial to your health than a single herb product, not to mention safer!

An Ideal Saw Palmetto Supplement

We have found an herbal supplement that meets all of the requirements we mentioned above:

1. 1. It is formulated under strict GMP compliance, meaning it contains the purest ingredients.
   
   
2. 2. It is developed by a highly-trained, well-credentialed qualified scientific team ensuring the efficacy of the product.
   
   
3. 3. It contains a synergistic blend of standardized herbal extracts, along with essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients to promote overall wellness.

The product is called Male Rejuvenator and it contains a synergistic balance of pure saw palmetto and other therapeutic herbal extracts for the prostate as well as essential nutrients for general health and well-being.

Many of our editors as well as our visitors have experienced success with Male Rejuvenator. They have used it for its saw palmetto benefits as well as its many other therapeutic ingredients.

As with all health supplements, be sure to consult your physician or qualified herbal professional before taking any saw palmetto or beta sitosterol supplement.

more on our medicinal herbs page