From Men's Health · Emilia Benton · · 1m
Saw Palmetto for Prostate and Hair
Saw palmetto extract may ease prostate symptoms and hair loss for men.
In brief
Saw palmetto extract may ease prostate symptoms and hair loss for men. Saw palmetto extract reduces urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH and increases hair count after 90 days. Originally reported by Men's Health.
Quick answers
- What Is Saw Palmetto?
- Saw palmetto is a palm tree known as serenoa repens, sold in supplements for prostate and hair health.
- Does Saw Palmetto Work for Prostate?
- Urologist Peter J. Stahl says saw palmetto is mildly to moderately effective for reducing urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH.
- Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
- One trial found saw palmetto increased hair count 12-fold after 90 days compared to placebo for hair loss.
- How Does Saw Palmetto Work?
- Saw palmetto reduces inflammation and blocks 5-alpha-reductase activity to prevent hair loss.
- What is the key takeaway from Saw Palmetto for Prostate and Hair?
- Saw palmetto extract reduces urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH and increases hair count after 90 days.
What Is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a palm tree known as serenoa repens, sold in supplements for prostate and hair health.
Does Saw Palmetto Work for Prostate?
Urologist Peter J. Stahl says saw palmetto is mildly to moderately effective for reducing urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH.
“Saw palmetto has held great appeal to men as a phytotherapy for prostate enlargement for many years because it is derived from a natural source and has relatively few side effects”
Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
One trial found saw palmetto increased hair count 12-fold after 90 days compared to placebo for hair loss.
“A 2026 trial testing saw palmetto extract found it continued to show improvements in hair growth after 180 days”
How Does Saw Palmetto Work?
Saw palmetto reduces inflammation and blocks 5-alpha-reductase activity to prevent hair loss.
“One of the proposed explanations for saw palmetto’s therapeutic effects is that it helps reduce several pro-inflammatory markers and blocking 5-alpha-reductase activity”
Side Effects of Saw Palmetto
Common side effects include headache, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness.
“In one case study, a 70-year-old with BPH reported a rare case of liver injury associated with saw palmetto”
When to Use Saw Palmetto
Talk to a doctor before adding saw palmetto to your routine due to potential interactions with medications.
“The supplement may also cause adverse reactions if you’re on certain medications or have certain health conditions”
What to remember
Saw palmetto extract reduces urinary symptoms in mild to moderate BPH and increases hair count after 90 days.
