Overview
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an herbal supplement that has been widely tested and the results show some promise. However, saw palmetto is recommended to treat the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia,not prostate cancer.
How it Works
It is theorized that saw palmetto works by preventing testosterone from breaking down into a form associated with prostate tissue growth. It seems that saw palmetto is just as effective as Proscar (finasteride) at reducing an enlarged prostate, but with fewer side effects.
Taking Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto works slowly. It takes one to three months to see an improvement in the BPH symptoms.
It was thought until recently that saw palmetto would suppress the PSA levels in your blood, which could lead to a false negative PSA test screening for prostate cancer. Although that has been disproved, it is prudent to inform your doctor when you are taking saw palmetto or any other supplement.
Dosage recommendations:
Take 160 mg twice a day in pill form, and purchase supplements from reputable manufacturers that contain 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols. Don't bother with the teas, they don't work. Take with meals to minimize any digestive complications.
