Many people who suffer with a disease like prostate cancer explore complementary and alternative therapy for prostate cancer since there are many who would like to avoid the negative side effects that the more common treatments seem to have on the body. Alternative prostate cancer treatment may involve the use of non-invasive herbs and plants like saw palmetto in order to avoid harmful treatment interactions with other common aggressive prostate cancer treatment options.
Saw Palmetto and Prostate Cancer
Saw palmetto and prostate cancer care is certainly not one of the more popular things that patients will hear about but it is an option that’s quickly rising in popularity since there are more and more people who are learning about complementary and alternative therapy for prostate cancer.
The organic extract of saw palmetto is said to be an effective treatment prostate cancer because many believe that it lowers the prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Higher levels of PSA in a man’s system generally indicate prostate problems like infection and disease like prostate cancer.
Saw palmetto is one of the top herbs that are widely used in various countries around the world as an effective treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia since it does in fact have a positive effect to minimize inflammation in the prostate.
Saw palmetto is generally used for reliving the symptoms of BPH and prostate cancer, however it’s also believed to have an effect on androgen receptors that lower testosterone levels and eventually inhibit prostate cancer tumor growth.
Saw palmetto is the main herb to be used as an alternative to prostate medication, although there is yet to be solid evidence showing its benefits for the prostate when diseased with cancer. While some medical practitioners believe it to be a natural cancer treatment option, there are many others who believe it’s nothing more than a placebo for patients.
Saw Palmetto Benefits
Saw palmetto is a common herb that has been used for centuries in South America for a wide variety of health benefits and to treat common ailments that humans have been dealing with in each stage of life. Most popularly used for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, there are also other benefits that many in alternative medicine use it for today.
Hormone Balance
It’s said that saw palmetto is effective for balancing estrogen levels in women and testosterone production in men, although there is yet much to learn about the conclusive effects it has on individuals.
From helping women alleviate symptoms from menopause or menstruation and treating men with BPH and other symptoms related to hormones, saw palmetto is still only used for alternative medicine.
Hair Loss
Saw palmetto and hair loss treatment is one of the top controversies for men and women who are seeking an effective option for preventing hair loss.
Hair loss is connected to the production of dihydrotestosterone DHT in the body, which is known as a by-product of testosterone. DHT is the main reason for making hair follicles shrink and eventually stop hair growth altogether.
Saw palmetto is believed to control and balance testosterone levels in the body and help prevent the production of DHT, however many people are very skeptical about this and there requires far more research and testing to confirm these effects on humans.
Acne
Saw palmetto is said to have beneficial ingredients of fatty acids and flavonoids that are said to be beneficial for treating conditions like acne for both men and women. Since it has active ingredients that help balance hormones in the body, it’s a common ingredient for people of adolescent age to ease many symptoms of hormonal changes and imbalance.
Not only does it have anti-inflammatory properties that help ease growths on the skin, it also helps boost the immune system to help promote healthier skin.
Urinary System Ailments
Saw palmetto is most popular for treating many different urinary system ailments that mainly affect men, but also some that affect women as well. It’s said that regular saw palmetto use improves urinary flow, reduces inflammation of the urinary tract and reduces pain during urination.
Saw Palmetto Side Effects
There are very few cases that show an allergic reaction or negative side effect from using saw palmetto, although some people may complain of gastrointestinal issues. To avoid gastrointestinal side effects, patients are recommended to take saw palmetto with food.
Although saw palmetto is a natural herb, it’s still very important to tell doctors about using it on a regular basis, especially when taking any medication, even if it’s over the counter. It’s unknown how each individual will react to this herb, nor how it will interact with the wide variety of medications and medical conditions that vary from one person to another. To avoid any complications, follow doctor’s orders and monitor body reactions upon first use.
One of the most important facts about saw palmetto is the chemical beta-sitosterol, which is very similar to cholesterol. Anyone who has suffered a heart attack or has high levels of it in their system should avoid using this herb since it may add to complications.
Saw Palmetto Dosage
Saw palmetto is a common herb to use for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia and has a common dosage amount for patients of about 300mg – 350mg daily. This dosage is distributed in capsules or in dried berry form. It’s also possible to ingest saw palmetto as a liquid, but that dosage would vary according to concentration levels and the patient’s condition.
In terms of prostate cancer, saw palmetto is still new as a treatment option and common dosage amounts are not yet decided. Talking to doctors about the benefits and possible benefits from saw palmetto is the best way to determine how much should be taken and how effective it may be for the symptoms of prostate cancer or on tumor growth itself.
Prostate cancer treatment and therapy options, other than those offered through traditional medicine, brings many people to new age treatments that have been very popular in alternative medicine for many years. It is said the positive effect that many natural treatments bring to improving health after aggressive surgery, radiation therapy or medicine are the reason why so many choose these options to complement the options given through traditional medicine to combat a disease like prostate cancer.
