Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a type of palm native to the southeastern United States.
The berries of the plant are commonly used in supplements to improve prostate health, balance hormone levels, and prevent hair loss in men.
It’s also associated with other benefits, including decreased inflammation and improved urinary function.
Saw palmetto is often used by men looking to boost testosterone levels naturally.
Regulating testosterone levels can impact several aspects of health, including body composition, sex drive, mood, and cognition (
Testosterone levels decline with age, and some research shows that low levels of testosterone could contribute to conditions like heart disease (
Saw palmetto works by decreasing the activity of 5α-R — an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), another sex hormone, to help preserve testosterone levels in the body
Another test-tube study showed that saw palmetto blocked the spread and growth of prostate cancer cells by deactivating specific receptors involved in cancer development