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What are the long term side effects of saw palmetto?

Side effects are very rare, although headache, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness have been reported. In at least one case, significant bleeding during surgery was attributed to saw palmetto. There have been two reports of liver damage and one report of pancreas damage in people who took saw palmetto.

mountsinai.org - Saw palmetto Information | Mount Sinai - New York

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Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens/Sabal serrulata) is a palm-like plant with berries. The berries were a staple food and medicine for the Native Americans of the southeastern United States. In the early 1900s, men used the berries to treat urinary tract problems, and even to increase sperm production and boost libido. Today, the primary use of saw palmetto is to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Researchers aren't sure exactly how saw palmetto works. But it contains plant-based chemicals that may be effective for BPH. Researchers think that saw palmetto may affect the level of testosterone in the body, and perhaps reduce the amount of an enzyme that promotes the growth of prostate cells. Saw palmetto also seems to have an anti-inflammatory effect on the prostate. At least one study has shown even greater anti-inflammatory activity when saw palmetto is combined with lycopene and selenium.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Evidence is mixed about whether saw palmetto works to treat BPH. Several studies suggest that the herb is effective for treating symptoms, including too frequent urination, having trouble starting or maintaining urination, and needing to urinate during the night. The urethra, the tube that empties urine from the body, runs through the prostate gland in men. When the prostate gland is enlarged, men may have trouble urinating. Some studies show that saw palmetto is as effective in treating symptoms as finasteride (Proscar) without side effects, such as loss of libido. Other studies suggest that saw palmetto may actually shrink the size of the prostate gland. Due to the short duration (usually less than 3 months) of these studies, it is not possible to say for sure whether saw palmetto is truly effective for preventing complications of BPH. Two well-conducted studies, for example, found that saw palmetto was no better than placebo in relieving the signs and symptoms of BPH. It is important to receive a proper diagnosis of BPH from your doctor to rule out prostate cancer.

Other uses

Animal studies show that saw palmetto inhibits the growth of tumor cells, indicating that it may be helpful in the treatment of prostate cancer. Other studies show that saw palmetto improves urinary tract symptoms related to BPH. While these studies are promising, more research is needed to determine whether saw palmetto is effective for these conditions.

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Do tomatoes shrink the prostate?

They discovered that the chemical lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red colour, could reduce the expansion of the prostate. The gland is wrapped around the urinary tract, and its enlargement in later life can make urinating slow or difficult – a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

guardian.ng - How tomatoes reduce prostate enlargement, by study

A nutrient found in tomatoes could help ease bladder problems in older men, experts believe. They discovered that the chemical lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red colour, could reduce the expansion of the prostate. The gland is wrapped around the urinary tract, and its enlargement in later life can make urinating slow or difficult – a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A team reviewed research into the chemical, and published their findings in the journal Oncology and Cancer Case Reports. Professor Hiten Patel, from the University of Tromso in Norway, said: “We knew lycopene seems to slow down prostate cancer, but now it seems it can slow down the enlargement of the prostate and development of BPH as well. “We need more research before we can say it should be recommended routinely, but this review is very promising.” One of the problems highlighted was that lycopene is not easily absorbed by the body. However researchers believe that giving it as a pill could get round this.