Condition
    Strong Evidence
    Effectiveness 1/5

    Saw Palmetto for Prostate Cancer

    Saw palmetto does not affect prostate cancer risk and failed to beat placebo for benign urinary symptoms in the STEP and CAMUS trials.

    Overview

    Saw palmetto does not affect prostate cancer risk and failed to beat placebo for benign urinary symptoms in the STEP and CAMUS trials.

    Verdict

    Not supported

    Popular, extensively tested, and consistently negative.

    How It Works

    Saw palmetto extract was proposed to inhibit 5-alpha reductase and reduce dihydrotestosterone-driven prostatic growth; clinical trials have not demonstrated meaningful hormonal or symptomatic effect.

    Dosing & Protocol

    Typical dose

    Recommended dose
    No effective dose established
    Expected timeframe
    Not applicable.

    Protocol

    form
    n/a
    notes
    Persistent urinary symptoms need medical evaluation
    duration
    n/a
    starting dose
    Not recommended

    Evidence

    What the studies say

    The STEP trial and the larger CAMUS trial, which escalated doses up to three times the standard, both found no difference from placebo in AUA symptom scores for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane reviews reach the same conclusion. No trial has shown any effect on prostate cancer incidence, progression or PSA. Because it does not lower PSA the way finasteride does, it at least does not obscure screening — but that is the extent of the good news.

    No studies are yet linked to both Saw Palmetto and Prostate Cancer.

    Safety

    Caveats

    Generally well tolerated; mild gastrointestinal upset. Rare reports of liver enzyme elevation. The real risk is delayed assessment of urinary symptoms.

    Less likely to help if

    All men — trials were negative across dose ranges.

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    Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.