Does Saw Palmetto Increase Testosterone? (From A Dietitian)

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, may naturally boost testosterone.

Let's first understand what saw palmetto is before exploring its connection with testosterone.

As low testosterone impacts libido in both men and women, saw palmetto isn't just for men.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, a medicinal palm native to the southeastern U.S., grows up to ten feet.

It's sold as berries, powder, liquid, and commonly in extract capsules.

Recently, it's also been used topically for hair loss.

Always buy from trusted sources, ensuring a standardized product with 85–95% fatty acids and sterols.

Bioavailability and Absorption

Saw palmetto is mainly absorbed in the small intestine, where its fat-loving compounds enter the bloodstream.

Its absorption can be boosted by eating it with fatty foods. Taking it with meals rich in healthy fats might improve its effectiveness, but absorption varies from person to person.

Sticking to a regular dosing schedule is key.

Yet, everyone's different, so it's wise to chat with a healthcare professional for advice on the best dosage and use of saw palmetto supplements.

Low testosterone can lower sexual drive. It's thought that saw palmetto, by slowing testosterone's conversion to DHT, boosts libido. Numerous studies I found explored its potential to enhance sexual desire in men and women.

Consider for instance, this notable study I saw:

Over two years, researchers tracked 120 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to test saw palmetto's impact on sexual function and prostate symptoms [4].

They monitored:

• Urine flow
• Blood prostate-specific antigen
• Prostate symptoms
• Erectile function
• Quality of life

The study showed significantly improved sexual function and BPH symptoms after the first year.

According to the NIH, male androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is the top hair loss type in men, affecting 30–50% by age 50 [7].

Excess DHT often leads to hair loss by shrinking hair follicles, making hair thinner or brittle.

Saw palmetto's ability to block DHT may help combat this. A study from the National Library of Medicine with 50 men, aged 20 to 50, found that applying saw palmetto extract topically spurred hair growth [8].

Additionally, a mouse study by the NIH revealed saw palmetto aids hair regeneration and repairs hair loss by triggering TGF-β and mitochondrial pathways [9].

3. Inflammation

There are minimal human studies, but animal studies show promise when evaluating the efficacy of saw palmetto in decreasing inflammation.

A study by the NIH in rats with enlarged prostates showed that saw palmetto oil reduced swelling and several other indicators of inflammation [10].

While we've mainly discussed men's health issues, we saw palmetto might also benefit women, potentially affecting their testosterone differently.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often have high testosterone levels, leading to issues like irregular or heavy periods, excessive body or facial hair, and acne.

According to the National Center for Biotechnological Information, research is ongoing to determine how saw palmetto and similar plant-based anti-androgens might alleviate PCOS symptoms [11].

If you consider supplementing with saw palmetto, you should know about a few drug interactions.

Saw palmetto can interact with:

• Finasteride (Proscar) or other medications treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.
• Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood-thinners), like Warfarin (Coumadin), Clopidogrel (Plavix), and Aspirin.
• Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy may decrease the efficacy of oral contraceptives and increase the risk of an unplanned pregnancy.