Serenoa repens,Sabal serrulata,Saw Palmetto Herb Extract Benefit.

Contents

• Saw Palmetto Botanical Info.
• Saw Palmetto Botanical Description.
• Life History and Saw Palmetto Population Biology.
• Saw Palmetto Physical Tolerances.
• Saw Palmetto Economic Importance.
• Standardization and Saw Palmetto Herb Extract Benefits?
• Saw Palmetto: Archeology and traditional uses.
• Saw Palmetto and Useful Phytochemicals.
• Structure of Fatty Acids and Steroids.
• Saw Palmetto: Famous function and application.
• Sex Hormone Problems and Saw Palmetto.
• BPH Management with Sawl Palmetto.
• Saw Palmetto Dosage and Functional Mechanism.
• Male Sexual Health and the Prostate Gland.
• Herbal Therapy for BPH:Classical Literature and Combinations.
• How Search engine think about Saw Palmetto and Fatty Acid.
• Research Update.
• Photo Gallery of Serenoa serrulata.

Standardization and Saw Palmetto Herb Extract Benefits?:

Standardization:

 Standardization involves measuring the amount of certain chemicals in products to try to make different preparations similar to each other. It is not always known if the chemicals being measured are the "active" ingredients. A standardized extract of saw palmetto containing 80% to 95% sterols and fatty acids (liposterolic content) is often recommended.

 One small study examining amounts of saw palmetto contained in preparations compared to amounts stated on labels reported a -97% to +140% difference compared to label claims. Half of the samples (3 samples) contained less than 25% of the stated amounts. Although this study examined very few saw palmetto products, it is a noteworthy example of limited quality assurance.

 General Indications:
 Chronic or sub-acute cystitis, prostatic hypertrophy, catarrh of the genito-urinary tract, testicular atrophy, sex hormone disorders. Specifically indicated in prostatic enlargement.
 Effective treatment for shrinking an enlarged prostate gland Widely known to stimulate the libido in males and increase sexual energy.

 General Actions:

 Diuretic, urinary antiseptic, endocrine agent, anabolic agent, relaxant, sedative, tonic to the male reproductive system, particularly the prostate, reduces congestive catarrhal conditions of the respiratory system, reputed aphrodisiac,anabolic,diuretic,estrogenic,sedative,tonic

 One of Saw Palmetto's key uses is treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is enlargement of the prostate gland, and can block the urethra and require surgery. Saw palmetto is believed to inhibit the actions of testosterone on the prostate, which causes enlargement of the prostate which interferes with urinary flow. Saw Palmetto herb helps improve urinary flow, and reduces the frequency and urgency of urination in men with BPH.

 Saw Palmetto is also used to treat bladder inflammation, chronic bronchitis, among other conditions. The fatty acids in Saw Palmetto are thought to have testosterone inhibiting effects on the prostate. Saw Palmetto also prevents testosterone from converting into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes prostate cells to multiply, and also leads to male balding. Saw palmetto herb prevents the binding of DHT to androgen receptors, thus playing a key role in helping prevent and treat prostate enlargement, and also hair loss.


 Saw Palmetto Herb Extract Benefits:

 Of the many benefits associated with Saw Palmetto, treating BPH is obviously the most significant. Below are some health benefits of Saw Palmetto.
 Saw Palmetto inhibits testosterone action on the prostate, thus is used widely for BPH treatment.
 Saw Palmetto also prevents binding of DHT to androgen receptors, hence helps with hair loss.
 Saw Palmetto inhibits androgen and estrogen receptor activity and helps both men and women to balance hormones.
 Saw Palmetto cure inflammation:herb helps treat bladder inflammation and helps with urinary flow.
 Saw Palmetto for women:Women also use Saw Palmetto herb to stimulate breast enlargement and also to treat uterine irritability.
 Saw Palmetto is also used to treat impotence,frigidity, and also used as an aphrodisiac.
 Reduce enlarged prostate gland
 Relieve the symptoms relating to mens' genitourinary system
 Improve metabolism, digestion and sense of well-being
 Some new evidence shows that Saw Palmetto may also help with thyroid deficiencies.
 Saw Palmetto is used to clear chest congestion,treat coughs, asthma, and bronchitis.
 Long known as male tonic :Improve impotence ;Boost sex drive ;Sexual rejuvenator,Native Americans ate saw palmetto fruits for at least 12,000 years.
 Recently draw attention as the source of a possible treatment for prostate cancer Functionality:Work synergistically with Muira Puama and Damiana.
 Enhances sexual functioning:Improves sexual desire reduces cholesterol and fatty acids in the blood.
 Prevention and Treatment of Benign Prostate Enlargement

 Prevention and Treatment of Benign Prostate Enlargement:

 Enlargement of the prostate gland occurs in most men with advancing age and is accompanied by reduced urinary flow and increased residual urine volume. Hormonal imbalances have previously been blamed for age related prostate disorders, but other factors have been identified as causes of the benign proliferation of prostate cells (BPH) and accompanying urinary impairment caused by this condition. Men with severe BPH often use a combination of saw palmetto and pygeum to improve urine flow and bladder voiding. These men usually wake up less frequently at night to urinate.


 Published scientific literature, along with ten years of reports from members of the Life Extension Foundation, show that saw palmetto extract is effective in alleviating symptoms of BPH in most men. Pygeum extract has been shown to specifically inhibit prostate cell proliferation by blocking the binding of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and other growth factors to prostate cell membranes. Pygeum has anti-edema effects that shrink the prostate gland significantly. Recent studies show it also inhibits the proliferation of prostate cells, by interfering with the activity of the enzyme kinase C that is needed by all rapidly growing benign and malignant cells.

 Although more than 80% of men report improvement after using saw palmetto and or pygeum extracts, some prostate enlargement often remains that continues to interfere with urinary flow and bladder evacuation. Urtica dioica, an herbal extract of nettle root that has been used in Germany for more than a decade to treat BPH, has been shown to reduce symptoms by 86% after 3 months of use. Learning of these studies, researchers at St.Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in New York conducted a study to discover the mechanism by which standardized nettle root extract relieves the symptoms of BPH. In their study, published in 1995, these scientists showed Urtica dioica inhibits the binding of a testosterone-related protein to receptor sites on prostate cell membranes.In January 1998, the Foundation made nettle root extract available in one formula combined with saw palmetto and pygeum.Saw palmetto, pygeum and Urtica dioica are approved drugs in Germany for the treatment of BPH.

 Native Americans traditionally used the berries of the saw palmetto plant to treat the symptoms of urinary tract problems. Since 1983, seven good European studies have compared standardized saw palmetto extracts with look-alike (but pal-metto-less) placebos in men with urinary problems caused by BPH. About 350 men took the extracts for one to three months.


 In five of the seven studies, saw palmetto was better than the placebo in relieving some symptoms. On average, the saw-palmetto-takers felt less urgency to urinate, got up less often at night to go to the bathroom, or had greater urine flow.

 In another large study, European researchers gave either saw palmetto or the prescription drug Proscar to more than 1,000 men for six months. Both proved equally effective in relieving,but not eliminating,the symptoms of BPH (though both failed to help about a third of the men). While Proscar was better at increasing the maximum rate of urine flow and shrinking the prostate, the men taking saw palmetto reported fewer problems with sex drive and performance.

 Results like these led the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) to conclude last April that there is "moderate evidence of effectiveness" for saw palmetto in men with BPH. USP is a quasi-governmental agency that sets manufacturing standards for drugs and advises health professionals on their appropriate use.

 Saw palmetto appears to be safe, causing no more short-term side effects than a placebo. Still, there are no long-term studies looking at possible side effects in humans. Probably the biggest risk is taking saw palmetto to relieve the discomfort of BPH without first seeing your physician to rule out prostate cancer, which can have the same symptoms.

 Saw palmetto is believed to inhibit the actions of testosterone on the prostate that cause prostate enlargement and interference with urinary flow. Among the main constituents of saw palmetto are fatty acids and sterols. The fatty acids are purported to be responsible for testosterone-inhibiting effects within the prostate. The mechanism of action of the sterols is not well understood, although they are present in other herbs (such as Pygeum bark, stinging nettle root, and pumpkin seed extract) used in treating prostate conditions. At least 85% of the weight of clinical quality saw palmetto products are expected to be attributable to specific fatty acids and sterols.

 Currently, saw palmetto and other dietary supplements are not considered drugs in the U.S. and are not required to be tested for quality by any governmental or independent agency prior to sale. As part of its mission to independently evaluate health, wellness and nutrition products, ConsumerLab.com purchased and tested saw palmetto dietary supplements sold in the U.S.


 Therapeutics and Pharmacology of Saw Palmetto:

 Serenoa is a valuable remedy for male reproductive system, particularly the prostate gland. It is known as the 'plant catheter' because of its tonic effect on the neck of the bladder and on the prostate. It is prescribed for debilitated conditions of the male reproductive system such as testicular atrophy, low libido and impotence. It is also recommended for inflammation of the prostate and for enlarged prostate. The steroidal saponins are responsible for the nourishing qualities of the fruit extending to the sexual organs, while the volatile oil is likely to have the main urinary antiseptic action. Serenoa is also believed to be effective for functional infertility in women and to increase the supply of mother's milk. It may be used to relieve painful periods associated with lack of tone of the reproductive organs. The berries have a toning and soothing influence on mucous membranes throughout the body as well as an expectorant property, making this a useful remedy for colds and catarrh, especially where chronic and congestive - the isolated oil is an effective inhalant. It has a traditional use for asthma and bronchitis. The berries are also used to treat urinary disorders and enuresis, and are of value in all infections of the urinary tract. Serenoa is reputed to be mildly sedative to the nervous system.


 Saw Palmetto: Mode of Action

 This herb has been successfully studied for the treatment of prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As a male ages, more male hormones such as testosterone collect in the prostate. This testosterone in turn converts into a more potent form - dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT causes cell multiplication that eventually produces enlargement of the prostate. Left untreated, a certain percentage of cases will lead to prostate cancer. The lipid compounds of saw palmetto have been shown to prevent the conversion of testosterone into DHT and inhibit male hormone binding to cellular and nuclear receptor sites. Saw palmetto also increases the breakdown of DHT already present in the body. In addition to the anti-androgenic action, saw palmetto berries also have anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous activity. Saw palmetto acts by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways that produce prostaglandin E2 and leukotrienes, and by inhibition of arachidonic acid cascades. The exact constituent responsible is unknown, but is part of the lipid group. Saw palmetto has had a long history of being used on cancer, especially of the urogenital system. This has not been clinically studied to date, but beta-sitosterol although been shown to have anti-cancer activities.

 There have been many clinical trials, using different protocols (including double-blind and controls) with groups of more than 2,000 BPH patients in Germany. Confirmation in multiple studies has confirmed reduction in prostate size within 30 days. It should be noted that almost all authorities feel the use of alcohol extract or straight berries far exceeds the effectiveness of the water extractions.

 Saw palmetto's polysaccharides have also been shown to have immune-stimulating properties. This herb also has anti-androgen and anti-edema effects. Beta-sitosterol might be responsible for claims that saw palmetto is able to enlarge breast size in pubescent women since studies on mice indicate that beta-sitosterol has an estrogenic activity. Saw palmetto has bee shown to reduce female hirsutism (excessive male pattern hair growth). There have also been claims for saw palmetto's nutritive, tonic, diuretic, sedative and antiphlogistic effects. It has been used specifically for head colds. An extract of S. repens was shown to possess anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activity in rats, mice and guinnea pigs. This might be due to its ability to inhibit both cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase, which are associated with inflammation.

Reference:

• Serenoa repens,Sabal serrulata,Saw Palmetto Herb Extract Benefit.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:08th,Oct.2010.