Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Meghan Novoshielski, M.S Nutrition Sci. ,RDN
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Saw palmetto is a palm that is native to the Southeastern United States. It has long been used to promote prostate health, reduce hair loss and balance out hormone levels. In recent years there has been a lot of research into the health benefits of saw palmetto.
In this article, we identify the 5 best saw palmetto supplements on the current market. We'll also delve into the science-backed benefits of taking saw palmetto and answer the most commonly asked questions about this supplement.
5 Best Saw Palmetto Supplements
- Overall Best: Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto
- Best Budget: Swanson Saw Palmetto
- Best For Men Over 40: Zhou Nutrition Saw Palmetto
- Best With Pumpkin Seed Oil: Essential Elements Saw Palmetto
- Best High Potency: Horbäach Saw Palmetto
SFS Pick
Havasu
Budget Pick
Swanson
3rd Pick
Zhou
1. Overall Best Saw Palmetto Supplement: Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto
Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto contains a saw palmetto blend as its only active ingredient. That 500 mg blend consists of saw palmetto powder and extract, proving 45% fatty acids. The saw palmetto is sourced from the berries of the plant.
Havasu Nutrition claims that its product will be able to reduce frequent urination, block DHT to prevent hair loss, and support prostate health. The supplement comes in capsule form, with the capsule being made from gelatin and vegetable magnesium stearate. The inclusion of gelatin, which is derived from bovine sources, means that Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto is not suitable for vegans.
The 500 mg daily dosage of saw palmetto is in line with the amounts used in clinical trials. You only have to take one capsule per day, which is less than the required amount required for most competing brands.
In addition to this product, Havasu Nutrition also provides a night-time version, which adds chamomile to help you get to sleep. There is also a saw palmetto supplement specially designed for women and a gummy version.
Pros
- Well dosed
- Pure saw palmetto
- Only requires taking one capsule daily
Cons
- Not vegan friendly
Havasu Nutrition is the leading saw palmetto supplement for a reason: we feature the finest complex to help support prostate and decrease BPH levels...
2. Best Budget Saw Palmetto Supplement: Swanson Saw Palmetto
Swanson Saw Palmetto is a budget-friendly version of the supplement that is designed to promote healthy prostate function, improve urinary flow and help to balance hormone levels. Each capsule contains 540 mg of saw palmetto whole berry extract.
Swanson has been selling nutritional supplements for more than 50 years, having established a reputation as a supplier of low-cost, high-quality products. They produce all of their supplements in GMP-authorized facilities. Every batch of Saw Palmetto supplement also undergoes 3rd party testing.
The recommended dosage for this supplement is to take a single capsule, 2-3 times each day. Because the capsule contains gelatin, this is not a vegan-friendly supplement.
Pros
- Pure saw palmetto
- Well established supplier
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Not suitable for vegan
Packed with beneficial fatty acids, Swanson's Saw Palmetto capsules are not only an excellent prostate support supplement, they are also known to support healthy hair, urinary health, and aid overall balance...
3. Best Saw Palmetto Supplement For Men Over 40: Zhou Nutrition Saw Palmetto
Zhou Nutrition Saw Palmetto combines a blend of saw palmetto berry powder and extract, providing you with 500 mg of the active ingredient, and 45% fatty acids. While some saw palmetto supplements contain only powder, the combination of the two types may provide a more powerful effect.
Zhou Nutrition is based in Utah, and sources their saw palmetto locally. The product is processed in local facilities that are GMP-authorized. It is intended for men over the age of 40 and claims to be able to improve prostate health, support healthy urinary flow, and help with hair growth.
A daily serving of Zhou Nutrition Saw Palmetto is one capsule. Each bottle contains a hundred capsules, with a daily dose price of fewer than twenty cents.
Pros
- Combination of powder and extract
- Only requires one capsule per day
- Decent value for money
Cons
- A 500 mg capsule may not be powerful enough for some users
At Zhou, we use only the highest-quality ingredients in a facility following GMP. Plus, we test everything at our lab in Utah, so you can be confident that you're fueling your body with the very best...
4. Best Saw Palmetto With Pumpkin Seed Oil: Essential Elements Saw Palmetto
Essential Elements Saw Palmetto Plus combines saw palmetto extract with pumpkin and cranberry seed oil. High in tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytosterols, phospholipids, cranberry seed oil is extremely stable, light, and non-greasy. It is often used in facial serums, creams, lotions, and lip balms. Eczema and psoriasis are two skin disorders that can be relieved by cranberry seed oil.
Antioxidants and heart-healthy lipids are abundant in pumpkin seed oil. Studies on both animals and people have demonstrated that it can enhance urinary tract health, promote hair development, and improve heart function.
Each single capsule serving of Essential Elements Saw Palmetto Plus contains 320 mg of saw palmetto berry extract, 260 mg of pumpkin seed oil, and 15 mg of cranberry seed oil. Because the capsule contains gelatin, this is not a vegan-friendly supplement.
Your purchase of Essential Elements Saw Palmetto Plus comes with a 365-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Combines saw palmetto with pumpkin and cranberry seed oil
- No preservatives
- May help with hair growth
Cons
- Capsules may be too large for some people
Essential elements Saw palmetto plus is packed with saw palmetto extract plus pumpkin seed oil for potent benefits specifically for men’s needs, including prostate health, urinary function, and...
5. Best High Potency Saw Palmetto Supplement: Horbäach Saw Palmetto
Horbaach Saw Palmetto is the highest-dosed saw palmetto supplement we have yet to come across. Each capsule contains 1200 mg and the daily recommended dosage is 3600 mg. With 120 capsules in each bottle, that gives you a 40-day supply.
The saw palmetto is listed on the label as a proprietary blend, consisting of a mixture of a 10:1 blend of saw palmetto and whole saw palmetto extract. The quick-release capsules allow for fast absorption and digestion. These palmetto extract capsules are also gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, or preservatives.
While a daily dosage of 3600 mg may be too high for some people, it is easy enough to reduce that amount by just taking one or two capsules per day.
Pros
- High dosage
- Lots of positive reviews
- Easy to moderate the serving size
Cons
- This product is regularly out of stock
Expertly crafted formula of a full spectrum Saw Palmetto complex! POTENT EXTRACT: Horbaach's Quick-Release Capsules are super concentrated for maximum support...
What is Saw Palmetto?
The Saw palmetto is a tree that grows in the south-eastern United States between Texas and South Carolina. This tree which has the scientific name Serenoa repens, can reach a height of 10 feet, and has fan-shaped leaves with thorns. Medicine is made from the fruit when it is ripe.
Saw palmetto appears to lessen the pressure on males' urine-transporting tubes. Additionally, saw palmetto may stop the conversion of testosterone into the more powerful form known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT levels being lower may aid in preventing some types of hair loss.
Saw palmetto is frequently used to treat the signs of benign prostatic hypertrophy, an enlargement of the prostate. But it doesn't appear to make this problem any better. In addition to treating various prostate diseases, male-pattern baldness, sexual dysfunction, and other conditions, saw palmetto is also used to avoid complications from prostate surgery.
Saw palmetto is marketed as a dietary supplement for illnesses like persistent pelvic pain, migraine, hair loss, and urinary symptoms linked to an enlarged prostate gland (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH).
Benefits of Saw Palmetto:
There are several promising research-supported benefits of taking saw palmetto herbal supplements. Here are the six main benefits of taking this supplement.
1. May prevent hair loss
Saw palmetto is frequently used to maintain hormone balance and stop hair loss.
One study found that saw palmetto may help inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that changes testosterone into the hair-loss-related sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT).1
By lowering the intake of DHT in your hair follicles, which reduces DHT's capacity to bind to particular hormone receptors, saw palmetto may also prevent hair loss.2
2. May improve prostate health
There are mixed study results regarding saw palmetto's ability to improve prostate health. While some studies show positive indications for the prostate from taking saw palmetto, others show no improvement.
In one study, carried out over a 15-year period, men who took 320 mg of saw palmetto extract daily had a significantly greater ability to lessen the progression of BPH than men who did not take the supplement.3
More research, though, is needed, in this area before we can state conclusively that saw palmetto can improve prostate health.
3. Improve urinary tract function
As men age, they often have difficulty controlling their urine output. Saw palmetto's ability to help control the symptoms of BPH may improve urinary tract function.
Saw palmetto may improve the health of the urinary tract, especially in people who are suffering from prostate issues.
In a 12-week study, men who consumed saw palmetto oil enriched with beta-sitosterol, a substance naturally occurring in many plants, at a dose of 1,000 mg daily, observed significant reductions in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms compared to those who consumed unenriched saw palmetto oil.4
Similar to this, a 24-week study of 354 males revealed that consuming 320 mg of saw palmetto improved urine flow, quality of life, and sexual function compared to a placebo while reducing the symptoms of BPH.5
However, a recent analysis of 27 trials found that saw palmetto had no discernible effect on the urinary tract.6
4. Decreases Inflammation
A number of animal studies have suggested that saw palmetto may have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, there have to date been no human studies to verify this.7
5. Regulate testosterone levels
The ability of saw palmetto to reduce the levels of 5-alpha reductase may help to boost testosterone levels. That is because this enzyme helps to convert DHT to testosterone.
Resettin, a supplement formulated with saw palmetto and astaxanthin, an antioxidant found in algae, was found to enhance serum testosterone levels by 38% when compared to a placebo in one 14-day study.8
6. Boost libido
It is thought that testosterone may boost men's libido by preventing the breakdown of testosterone in the body.
Male users of saw palmetto reported increased sexual function, according to a study published in the journal Urologia International. 120 males with enlarged prostates participated in the study. After two years, they discovered that saw palmetto use enhanced sexual function and reduced prostate problems.9
Side Effects of Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto is regarded as a safe nutritional supplement. There have been no major side effects noted. However, some users have reported the following minor side effects:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Constipation
In the absence of research, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should avoid taking a saw palmetto supplement. The possibility that saw palmetto may affect hormones also makes it a good idea for people who are undergoing hormone replacement therapy to avoid the supplement.
Saw palmetto may interfere with blood thinners, so people who are taking a blood thinner medication should not supplement with saw palmetto.
Just like with any dietary supplements, if you have an underlying health condition or are unsure about taking saw palmetto, we recommend that you speak to your doctor.
What to look for when buying Saw Palmetto:
Not all saw palmetto brands are the same. Rather than just grabbing the cheapest one you find, take a few minutes to consider the following factors.
1. Ingredients
Clearly, the key ingredient in a saw palmetto supplement needs to be saw palmetto extract. Look for a supplement with a minimum of 80% active ingredients, and 45% fatty acid content.
In addition to saw palmetto, look for a product that includes extra vitamins and minerals to promote overall health. Some additional ingredients that work synergistically with saw palmetto are pumpkin seed powder, nettle and pygeum africanum.
2. Dosages
There is no official RDA on saw palmetto dosages. However, the generally accepted safe levels are between 320 mg and 1800 mg per day. Beware of supplements that list their ingredients as a proprietary blend, where all the ingredients are lumped together, with no individual dosages.
3. Testing/Transparency
The best saw palmetto supplements will undergo 3rd party testing from an outside laboratory to check for purity and potency. Look for the 3rd party testing sticker on the product label.
4. Price
The benefits of saw palmetto only come from consistent use. To be able to regularly take a supplement you need to be able to afford it. So, make sure that the supplement you buy fits into your budget.
5. Reviews
By checking reviews from verified purchasers, you are able to read the real-life experiences of people who have already bought the supplement. The best place to read reviews is Amazon, which uses a 5-start rating system. if a product has an overall rating of less than 4 out of 5 stars, you should probably avoid that brand.
Saw Palmetto FAQs
What is saw palmetto good for?
Saw palmetto has been shown to have benefits for men who are experiencing prostate and urinary tract problems. It has also been shown to promote hair growth, decrease inflammation, and potentially help increase testosterone levels. There is also research suggesting that saw palmetto has the ability to boost libido.
Who should not take saw palmetto?
Saw palmetto should not be taken by pregnant or nursing women. People who are taking blood thinner medications and those undergoing hormone replacement therapy should also avoid saw palmetto.
What does saw palmetto do for females?
Even though saw palmetto is primarily used in prostate health supplements, it may also help to regulate hormones in women. They, too, produce testosterone, but at much smaller levels than men. Saw palmetto supplementation can help to control testosterone production as well as that of other androgenic hormones.
Saw palmetto can also help women who are suffering from hair loss. It can also help to combat acne and reduce the symptoms of menopause.
What does saw palmetto do to testosterone?
Saw palmetto blocks the conversion of dihydrotestosterone, a consequence of the breakdown of testosterone, into its active form. The body produces less dihydrotestosterone thanks to this byproduct, which helps the prostate gland grow more slowly or not at all.
Summary
Saw palmetto is a popular nutritional supplement, that is especially valued by older men who are experiencing prostate and urinary health problems. Although more research is needed, it appears to have the ability to improve urinary tract flow, increase hair growth, naturally promote prostate health, and decrease inflammation.
The best saw palmetto supplement on the market is Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto, with each capsule containing a 500 mg blend of saw palmetto powder and extract. With 200 capsules in every bottle, and a daily serving of a single capsule, this supplement represents very good value for money.
Havasu Nutrition is the leading saw palmetto supplement for a reason: we feature the finest complex to help support prostate and decrease BPH levels...
Looking for more supplements to improve your health? Check out the Best Maca Root Supplements on the market.
- Pais P, Villar A, Rull S. Determination of the potency of a novel saw palmetto supercritical CO2 extract (SPSE) for 5α-reductase isoform II inhibition using a cell-free in vitro test system. Res Rep Urol. 2016 Apr 21;8:41-9. doi: 10.2147/RRU.S96576. PMID: 27186566; PMCID: PMC4847595.
- Vinarov AZ, Spivak LG, Platonova DV, Rapoport LM, Korolev DO. 15 years' survey of safety and efficacy of Serenoa repens extract in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients with risk of progression. Urologia. 2019 Feb;86(1):17-22. doi: 10.1177/0391560318772466. Epub 2018 May 9. PMID: 29741118.
- Pais P, Villar A, Rull S. Determination of the potency of a novel saw palmetto supercritical CO2 extract (SPSE) for 5α-reductase isoform II inhibition using a cell-free in vitro test system. Res Rep Urol. 2016 Apr 21;8:41-9. doi: 10.2147/RRU.S96576. PMID: 27186566; PMCID: PMC4847595.
- Sudeep HV, Thomas JV, Shyamprasad K. A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency. BMC Urol. 2020 Jul 3;20(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s12894-020-00648-9. PMID: 32620155; PMCID: PMC7333342.
- Ye Z, Huang J, Zhou L, Chen S, Wang Z, Ma L, Wang D, Wang G, Wang S, Liang C, Qiu S, Gu X, Liu J, Weng Z, Wu C, Wei Q, Xie L, Wu W, Cheng Y, Hu J, Wang Z, Zeng X. Efficacy and Safety of Serenoa repens Extract Among Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in China: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial. Urology. 2019 Jul;129:172-179. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2019.02.030. Epub 2019 Mar 14. PMID: 30880074.
- Trivisonno LF, Sgarbossa N, Alvez GA, Fieiras C, Escobar Liquitay CM, Jung JH, Franco JVA. Serenoa repens for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic enlargement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Investig Clin Urol. 2021 Sep;62(5):520-534. doi: 10.4111/icu.20210254. PMID: 34488251; PMCID: PMC8421998.
- Colado-Velázquez J III, Mailloux-Salinas P, Medina-Contreras J, Cruz-Robles D, Bravo G. Effect of Serenoa Repens on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory and Growth Factors in Obese Wistar Rats with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Phytother Res. 2015 Oct;29(10):1525-31. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5406. Epub 2015 Jun 24. PMID: 26104840.
- Anderson ML. Evaluation of Resettin® on serum hormone levels in sedentary males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 Aug 23;11:43. doi: 10.1186/s12970-014-0043-x. PMID: 25183955; PMCID: PMC4151021.
- Sinescu I, Geavlete P, Multescu R, Gangu C, Miclea F, Coman I, Ioiart I, Ambert V, Constantin T, Petrut B, Feciche B. Long-term efficacy of Serenoa repens treatment in patients with mild and moderate symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urol Int. 2011;86(3):284-9. doi: 10.1159/000322645. Epub 2011 Feb 8. PMID: 21304222.
Steve Theunissen
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