Clinical Summary
Saw palmetto is a small, slow-growing palm native to southeastern United States. The fruits are a rich source of fatty acids and phytosterols and have been used to promote urination, reduce inflammation, and for treatment of prostatic conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Saw palmetto has been studied in many controlled clinical trials. Results indicate that it improves urinary flow rate and reduces nocturia in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (2) (3) (4) (5). However, data from a randomized study showed no benefit of saw palmetto over placebo for improving BPH-associated symptoms (6).
Studies with a liposterolic extract of saw palmetto berries indicate that it reduced the uptake by tissue specimens of both testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by more than 40% suggesting antiandrogenic activity (7). Further, the extract inhibited binding of DHT to its receptor (8) and blocked the conversion of testosterone to DHT by inhibiting the activity of 5-alpha-reductase (9). The berries also demonstrate anti-inflammatory and antiedematous properties by inhibiting cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase pathways, thereby preventing the biosynthesis of inflammation-producing prostaglandins and leukotrienes (10).

A laboratory evaluation of six commercial brands of saw palmetto revealed the actual fatty acid content to vary considerably from the labeled dosage, from 3% to +240%. In addition, three of the brands tested were found to contain less than 20% of the stated amount. Patients should use caution before using over-the-counter saw palmetto products.

This is the product ingredient I use. The quality of the product is crucial. Seronoa repens is key............

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) (berries) CO2 extract
320 mg

[std to 85%-95% free fatty acids and sterols (272 mg)]


Cernitin® Flower Pollen extract (Secale cereale L.)
252 mg

5-LOXIN® (Boswellia serrata) extract (gum resin) [std. to
70 mg

acetyl-11-keto-ß-boswellic acid (AKBA) minimum 30%


(21 mg)]


Stinging nettle extract (Urtica dioica) (root)
240 mg

Pygeum (Pygeum africanum) extract (bark)
100 mg

[std. to 11.7% sterols as beta-sitosterol (11.7 mg)]


Lycopene (from tomato extract)
10 mg

Phytosterol Complex [std. to 59% free total sterols
678 mg

(400 mg) and 26.6% free beta-sitosterol (180 mg)]

Interesting piece of work at the top, I've often wondered about how much quality control is done, who was the work doen by, and has it been published anywhere?

Hi Lee, you can search articles by Life Extension.