by Vorst Canada
Saw palmetto is most famous for helping men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) feel better and keep their prostate healthy. But as more individuals add it to their daily vitamins and minerals, people start to wonder how it might affect other systems, especially the heart and blood vessels. One of the most popular questions is if saw palmetto can raise blood pressure.
Disclaimer: This content is intended solely for informational and educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Table of Contents
- What is Saw Palmetto?
- Why People Worry About Blood Pressure
- What the Research Says
- Should You Be Concerned?
- Bottom Line
What is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a tiny palm tree that grows in the southeastern United States. People have utilized its berries for hundreds of years in traditional medicine, especially to help men's health. Saw palmetto extract is a common supplement these days for those who have an enlarged prostate and have trouble urinating, have a weak flow, or need to go to the bathroom at night.
Fatty acids and phytosterols are the active constituents in this product. The product aims to inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme, a target for certain prostate treatments. This enzyme helps convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that is associated to hair loss and prostate enlargement.
Why People Worry About Blood Pressure
Hormones, fluid balance, vascular flexibility, and nervous system activity all work together to keep blood pressure in check. Many natural medicines can affect these systems in small ways, especially if they mix with other herbs or pharmaceuticals.
There is understandable worry that saw palmetto might mess with blood pressure control because many older people take it to help with blood pressure, heart disease, or metabolic problems.
Some people are worried that saw palmetto could have unforeseen effects on the heart since it may change hormone levels or enzyme pathways. Some individuals are exercising caution because they have experienced adverse reactions to other medications.
What the Research Says
At this time, there is no compelling evidence indicating that saw palmetto elevates blood pressure. Most clinical research and evaluations say that it doesn't have any effect on cardiovascular parameters, like blood pressure and heart rate.
Multiple studies have observed blood pressure in individuals consuming saw palmetto for BPH and identified no significant alterations. In a randomized controlled trial, men administered 320 mg of saw palmetto daily for several months exhibited enhancements in urine symptoms without any alteration in blood pressure relative to the placebo group.
Safety evaluations have also not identified hypertension as a recognized side effect of saw palmetto. This suggests that saw palmetto is unlikely to significantly affect blood pressure in the general population, especially among those who are generally healthy.
That being stated, everyone reacts differently. Some people may feel dizzy or notice changes in their energy when they start taking a new supplement, especially if they are already taking medicine or have other health problems. Some individuals have reported experiencing heart palpitations or changes in blood pressure after taking saw palmetto, but these occurrences are uncommon and not supported by systematic scientific research.
Should You Be Concerned?
Saw palmetto is generally well accepted by most people and does not elevate blood pressure. If your blood pressure is well-controlled and you're not taking any medicines that affect hormone pathways, it's safe to try, especially at normal doses (160–320 mg per day of standardized extract).
But if you use hormone-related treatments (like finasteride), blood pressure meds, or diuretics, it's a beneficial idea to talk to a doctor before starting saw palmetto. There are other modest side effects that could make you feel worse overall, even if your blood pressure is normal. These include dizziness and upset stomach.
The supplement's quality is also important. Select a supplement that has undergone third-party testing and maintains a standard level of fatty acids, typically between 85 and 95 percent. Avoid unregulated items and mystery blends that don't show their origin or dosage.
Bottom Line
Saw palmetto doesn't seem to raise blood pressure in most people, and studies indicate that it has a neutral effect on the heart and blood vessels. It is still one of the most studied and extensively used natural treatments for prostate problems, and it has a favourable safety record overall.
But, depending on your health, each supplement can work differently. If you're adding saw palmetto to your routine and are worried about your heart health, it's always advisable to talk to a doctor who knows what they're talking about. Regularly monitoring your blood pressure and symptoms could assist you in tracking any changes.
References and Resources:
SAW PALMETTO: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-971/saw-palmetto.
“Saw Palmetto: Usefulness and Safety.”NCCIH, www.nccih.nih.gov/health/saw-palmetto.
Bent, Stephen, et al. “Saw Palmetto for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.” New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 354, no. 6, Feb. 2006, pp. 557–66. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa053085.
www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-971/saw-palmetto.
