Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens/Sabal serrulata) is an herb containing plant compounds which may help with prostate health, hair loss and urinary tract symptoms. It works by inhibiting an enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone – an issue often implicated as one cause of BPH symptoms.
Select USP Verified saw palmetto supplements to ensure safety and quality, looking for extracts with standardized lipidosterolic concentration for maximum clinical efficacy.
Physical Well-Being
Men’s health can often take second place to that of women and children; yet prioritizing it can have numerous positive ramifications for family life. When men prioritize their physical wellbeing, they can more efficiently care for their families while fulfilling their roles within society more fully.
One way to support physical wellbeing is with dietary supplements like saw palmetto. The berries of this shrublike plant have long been considered an integral component of male wellness and have even been shown to support urological health. For centuries, saw palmetto has been used to inhibit testosterone’s conversion to dihydrotestosterone – something which contributes to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate enlargement.
Saw palmetto is an herb full of nutrients believed to nourish the prostate gland, improve urinary tract symptoms and promote overall male health. A recent study conducted with 369 men revealed that saw palmetto extract significantly improved urinary symptoms – such as decreased frequency or strain during urination – according to research sponsored by Eustis, Florida-based Valensa International’s USPlus Liposteriolic Saw Palmetto as the gold standard in prostate health supplements.
As saw palmetto provides numerous health benefits, it’s crucial that high-quality products meet stringent standards for their purchase and consumption. Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing in Madison, WI conducted a recent study that assessed 28 saw palmetto berry powders, blends, and extracts purchased from major online retailers and retail outlets that met United States Pharmacopeia Monograph requirements for lipidosterolic saw palmetto.
This blinded study’s results confirmed that many saw palmetto products sold in the US do not comply with USP monograph, with an impressive percentage exceeding maximum levels permitted by USP. While a few products contained beneficial fatty acids, most did not provide expected therapeutic effect for prostate or hair health. To ensure optimal results, doctors and patients should select products with at least an equivalent concentration of fatty acids as those recommended in USP dosage of 320 mg daily dosage for optimal outcomes.
Mental Well-Being
Men’s mental well-being is often underrated, yet it plays an integral part of overall health. Studies have demonstrated that having a healthy mental state can reduce some risk factors associated with depression and anxiety such as poor sleep quality, substance misuse and impulsivity. Unfortunately, discussing mental health in the workplace can be a sensitive subject and stigmas can hold people back from seeking support; but November is Men’s Health Awareness Month which gives workplaces the chance to initiate dialogue around mental health challenges men may be facing and reduce stigmas surrounding them.
One way of doing so is raising awareness of prostate health and how saw palmetto can play a part. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is an herb native to southeastern United States that’s frequently used as a dietary supplement for prostate health and relieving urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
In fact, a 2018 phase IV noninferiority trial revealed that saw palmetto, selenium, and lycopene are noninferior to Tadalafil when it comes to improving International Prostate Symptom Scores of men suffering from BPH. This is thanks to their ability to block enzymes which convert testosterone to dihydrotestosterone – linked with an enlarged prostate – by blocking enzyme activity.
Women may also benefit from using saw palmetto for their health, not only when it comes to prostate health but also menopausal symptoms like urinary frequency and breast tenderness. But before beginning taking saw palmetto supplements it’s wise to consult a healthcare provider as new supplements could interact with medications or cause side effects that are detrimental.
Consider where your saw palmetto comes from when making purchasing decisions; its source can make an important impactful statement about effectiveness and safety. USPlus utilizes only berries grown and harvested in the Southeastern US region; this ensures mature berries that have been wild-harvested can go through rigorous extraction and quality control processes that result in premium-grade extract. USPlus stands alone as being US Pharmacopeia compliant and verified by Consumer Labs – another major indicator of effectiveness and safety.
Healthy Relationships
Saw palmetto has long been associated with men’s prostate health, but more and more women are turning to its extract from Serenoa repens plant (or “sabal tree”) as an aid for urinary tract and hormonal health issues. Studies indicate it can even reduce symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate). And research also shows it may even support sexual function!
Native Americans have relied on the berries and seeds from the sabal tree for generations for various health purposes, with its seeds often sold as supplements or encapsulated for easy digestion. Today, this herb can be found widely available within the holistic health industry in several forms, from dried and ground berry powder as dietary supplements or capsules for easy consumption to oil extracted from its seeds; regardless of its form it’s important to know where your saw palmetto comes from and its processing method as recently documented by Eurofins Food Chemistry Testing’s research that many supplements contain adulterations or unripened fruit that contains lower quality oils or unripened fruit which may make its use less reliable overall.
Valensa’s USPlus supplement alone met US Pharmacopeia standards for lipidosterolic saw palmetto, with its Florida wild harvest and ultrahigh pressure extraction process meeting USP verification.
Women may benefit from consuming this herb to maintain hormonal equilibrium by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase and decreasing testosterone’s conversion into dihydrotestosterone, thus helping alleviate symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), such as hirsutism, excessive hair growth and irregular menstrual cycles. Furthermore, this plant supports urinary tract health while mitigating uterine fibroids.
As research on saw palmetto is still in its infancy, most adults should find it safe. However, as with any new supplement it’s wise to consult your healthcare provider prior to beginning any new regimen – this is particularly relevant for women as the herb can impact estrogen levels and negatively interact with oral contraceptives or other medications you take – in addition to the possibility that higher doses could cause gastrointestinal distress in some individuals.
Work-Life Balance
Striking a balance between work and home life is essential to men’s overall wellbeing. Too often men feel pressure to devote extended hours at work while neglecting personal obligations – something which could negatively impact their overall health.
Men can miss key developmental milestones of their young children due to long work hours. Juggling career and family responsibilities can cause stress and burnout; with proper work-life balance in place, however, men are able to mitigate its harmful effects.
Men who strike a healthy work-life balance can enjoy spending quality time with their families and friends, engaging in hobbies they are passionate about, taking care of themselves physically, and maintaining positive mental states – thus decreasing depression risk.
Reconciling work and life can be challenging in today’s digital world, where work and personal lives often overlap. Furthermore, lack of flexibility at work may impede employees from maintaining healthy lifestyles.
Men have historically served as breadwinners in their families; however, this role has altered dramatically with more women entering the workforce and taking over this responsibility. While this trend may prove advantageous in terms of equal pay opportunities for all workers involved, men can feel overwhelmed and stressed due to increased demands placed upon their time and energy.
Attaining work-life equilibrium begins by devising a schedule that allots dedicated time for all areas. Prioritize personal responsibilities, establish boundaries, and regularly evaluate whether it works.
As part of their efforts to balance work and family responsibilities, men must communicate openly with their partners regarding any responsibilities at home and at work that might become burdensome, in order to avoid feeling like their efforts don’t meet expectations of either party.
Another effective tool for creating work-life equilibrium is providing employees with access to health and wellness programs at work. This could involve anything from encouraging employees to take a lunch break for exercise to providing on-site flu shot clinics; to tracking daily progress using cutting-edge fitness apps that engage men and motivate them toward living healthier lifestyles.





Recent Comments