Saw Palmetto extract 160mg 120 softgels | NOW

NOW Saw Palmetto extract (Serenoa repens) berry extract contains biologically active fatty acids and sterols (such as beta-sitosterol, lupeol, campesterol, cycloartenol, farnesol and phytol) that support prostate health as well as hair growth.

who benefits from Saw Palmetto extract?
Those that suffer early hair loss or a benign growth of the prostate because of a high level of androgens, may find relief with Saw Palmetto.

Saw Palmetto Extract is in a base of Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

background reading

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an evergreen shrub native to the Americas and the Southeastern U.S. that is the only extant species in the genus Serenoa . The plant can grow up to 10-12 feet in height, with the berries having been prized in the health systems of many Native American civilizations. In modern times, saw palmetto is one of the primary botanical ingredients associated with prostate health.

The prostate is an exocrine gland that is part of the male reproductive system. Anatomically, it is positioned beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra. A normal prostate is roughly the size of a walnut, but with age the prostate tends to enlarge as a result of common hormonal changes. An estimated 50% of men experience this phenomenon by age 50 years and 75% by age 80.

When enlargement occurs, the prostate can exert pressure on the bladder and constrict the urethra, leading to changes in urinary patterns and urges. This can be disconcerting and disruptive, especially as prostate enlargement interrupts sleep and daily life. There is significant clinical evidence that supercritical CO 2 extracts of saw palmetto berries can have a demonstrable effect on this typical aspect of male aging.

When the prostate becomes enlarged, as it commonly does with age, men may experience increased urinary urgency, frequency, nocturia, incomplete bladder emptying, and a weak urine stream. 

The mechanism of action is not fully understood, but it has been suggested that saw palmetto berry extract can inhibit nuclear estrogen receptors, cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways, and 5-α-reductase. 5-α-reductase converts testosterone into dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), which is believed to be the primary mediator of benign prostate growth. Effects on cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways can help balance inflammatory mechanisms that exacerbate the downstream effects of prostate enlargement.

In a number of multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, supplementation with saw palmetto led to significant improvements on the International Prostate Symptom Score, Quality of Life Score , urinary flow rates, residual urinary volume, and prostate size, without any reported side effects. One of the studies even determined that there was no difference between taking 160 mg twice-a-day and 320 mg once-a-day, making for simpler usage.

Prostate Phytosterols
A number of plant sterols are found naturally in saw palmetto. One of the most prominent is betasitosterol, which, like almost all plant sterols and stanols, is structurally similar to cholesterol. As such, beta-sitosterol competes with cholesterol for intestinal absorption and cell-membrane deposition and possesses signaling capabilities. In Europe betasitosterol alone, not as a saw palmetto extract, is commonly used in herbal medicine for prostate health. 

USP Monograph
The saw palmetto monograph created by the United States Pharmacopeia requires that the extract should contain at least 80% total fatty acids, 0.2% sterols, and 0.1% beta-sitosterol.

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recommended use
take 2 softgels per day, or as directed by your qualified health care consultant

contains per daily serving (1 softgel capsule)
saw palmetto berry extract 160 mg †

† = Recommended Daily Intake not established

ingredients
active ingredient (saw palmetto berry extract from Serenoa Repens), softgel capsule (bovine gelatin, glycerin and water, light barrier (caramel)), filler (organic extra virgin olive oil)

storage
store in a cool, dry place
keep out of reach of young children

contra-indication
none reported

allergy information
contains no familiar allergens (wheat, gluten, soy, lupin, nuts/tree nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, dairy, egg, fish/shellfish or mollusks)

vegetarians/vegans
contains gelatin