Most men over 50 suffer with enlargement of the prostate gland known as benign prostate hyperplasia or hypertrophy (BPH).

BPH appears to be caused by an elevation of the powerful androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and oestrogen in prostate tissue. Saw palmetto is clinically proven to treat prostate enlargement and its associated symptoms such as frequent urination, difficulty or pain when passing urine and impotence.

The active fatty acids and sterols of this plant have been found to inhibit DHT's transport and binding to cell receptors, as well as reducing the activity of 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme needed for oestrogen production and for conversion of testosterone to DHT.

Saw Palmetto is a small palm type of plant.   It is mainly found in the USA on the South East coast. Saw Palmetto extract is taken from the berries.   The berries themselves are very high in Fatty Acids and Phytosterols. The fruit is taken from the plant, partially dried, and then broken down with a solvent such as hexane or ethanol. The most commonly studied Saw Palmetto product is Permixon.