Did you know that testosterone is a sex hormone found in not only men, but also in women? This hormone plays a vital role in supporting your libido, or sex drive, as well as monitoring the growth and health of your muscular system. Testosterone is manufactured by your pituitary gland as well as your hypothalamus.
I’m sure you have at least heard about saw palmetto, and if you’re a man, you’ve probably read that this herb can help promote prostate health. However, supplementing with saw palmetto can also help enhance the prevalence of certain types of testosterone in both men and women. While supplementation with saw palmetto may be ideal for some, make sure that you consult your physician before using saw palmetto.
Saw Palmetto Compounds:
Saw palmetto is a native plant found in the southeastern United States, and it’s primary active compounds are fatty acids. Other active constituents found in saw palmetto include carotenes, tannins, polyphenolic compounds and phytosterols. Some of the proposed uses of saw palmetto include reducing inflammation, protecting the prostate from cancer cell development as well as enhancing urine production.
Saw Palmetto and Testosterone:
Initial evidence finds that when you consume saw palmetto it immediately begins working to inhibit the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. This conversion process can be hindered up to 40 percent.
These results suggest that this herb has anti-androgenic activity. Basically, this means that saw palmetto can have a direct effect on male sex hormones. One of the primary effects of saw palmetto is its ability to increase natural testosterone levels because this herb hinders the up-conversion to DHT.
Although these findings are based in scientific studies, information published by Drugs.com states that subjects who supplemented with saw palmetto for 30 days did not experience an alteration in plasma testosterone levels. Thus, suggesting that saw palmetto may not directly affect this plasma testosterone levels.
Suggested Dosage:
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, if you are interested in supplementing with saw palmetto you should consume 160 mg of this herb two times per day. Make sure that the supplement contains a minimum of 85 percent sterols and fatty acids. Do not take saw palmetto tea as its active compounds are not water soluble, thus they will not be absorbed into the tea.
References Used:
http://www.nia.nih.gov/NewsAndEvents/PressReleases/FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAboutTestosteroneandtheIOMReport.htm
National Institute on Aging: Frequently Asked Questions About Testosterone
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/saw-palmetto/NS_patient-sawpalmetto
Mayo Clinic: Saw Palmetto
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/69364.cfm
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Saw Palmetto
http://www.drugs.com/npp/saw-palmetto.html
Drugs.com: Saw Palmetto