When to take Saw Palmetto Extract | PlanYourVitamins.com

What is saw palmetto extract good for?

Short answer: Saw palmetto extract has potential benefits for hair health, urinary tract health, testosterone levels, prostate health and cardiovascular health.

Saw palmetto a type of small palm that is native to the coastal areas of the southeastern United States, specifically Serenoa repens. The extract from the fruit of this plant is commonly used as a health supplement, especially for men's health, such as prostate health, hormonal balance, and especially as a treatment for hair loss.

Benefits for hair loss

Specifically, research has been able to pinpoint how saw palmetto blocks the activity of a particular enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone into dihydrotrestosterone, also known as DHT, which is directly associated with hair loss.

By reducing this conversion, which in turn reduces the amount of DHT that is able to bind to hormone receptors, saw palmetto is able to prevent hair loss.

It has been found that saw palmetto supplements were able to improve hair count, hair quality and hair density by 27%, 60% and a massive 83% respectively in people that were suffering from hair loss.

Benefits for hormonal health

This same enzyme-blocking mechanism helps to preserve overall testosterone levels, which naturally decline with age, and research has found that low testosterone could also be associated with an increased risk of heart disease, meaning that saw palmetto can indirectly contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular issues.

Benefits for prostate health

Saw palmetto has also been found to improve symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH, which is a condition that causes an enlarged prostate, resulting in decreased urinary flow. Studies indicate that saw palmetto reduces inflammation in the prostate, alleviating urinary tract constriction.

It is also thought to be beneficial for the prostate overall, and could potentially reduce the risk of both BPH and prostate cancer.

When should I take saw palmetto extract?

Short answer: Saw palmetto extract is best taken with a meal, at any time of day.

While there is no specific time of day that seems best suited for taking saw palmetto, it is generally recommended to take the extract with a meal, in order to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal upset or other side effects.

One of the specific reasons for this is that saw palmetto contains free fatty acids, which could cause stomach irritation.

What does saw palmetto extract combine well with?

Short answer: Saw Palmetto Extract has been shown to work well together with astaxanthin, lycopene, nettle root and selenium.

Saw palmetto with selenium and lycopene, for BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as BPH, is a debilitating condition which involves the prostate becoming enlarged to the point where urinary flow is restricted.

Saw palmetto's ability to improve symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia, such as reduced urinary flow, were shown to be even more effective when it was combined with selenium and lycopene, although research shows that improvements in this regard can take several months to appear, with the studies lasting between six to twelve months.

Saw palmetto with nettle root, for BPH

Nettle root extract is also known for its efficacy at treating this condition, and studies show that taking both saw palmetto extract and nettle root extract at the same time has an even more pronounced effect on BPH symptoms than when the supplements are taken separately.

Saw palmetto with astaxanthin, for testosterone levels

Another study revealed that when saw palmetto was combined with astaxanthin, there was a noted increase in testosterone, which in addition to its ability to reduce hair loss, could help with people suffering from low libido.

What should I avoid taking saw palmetto extract with?

Short answer: Avoid taking saw palmetto extract supplements at the same time as blood thinners.

Avoid with blood-thinning medication

Saw palmetto could potentially interfere with blood-thinning medication, so it is advised to take these separately, at least two hours apart, in order to avoid this.

Saw Palmetto Extract data sources & further reading

Last updated by Asklepios on 30th January, 2025