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Protoflow Saw Palmetto: 84.5 mg and What Trials Show
Protoflow lists 84.5 mg of saw palmetto per serving, with no extract type. NCCIH says saw palmetto probably does not help urinary symptoms of BPH, and the JAMA CAMUS trial found no benefit even at triple doses. It is usually well tolerated, with mild stomach upset reported.
Written by the Protoflow label teamUpdated · 4 min read
What it is01
What is saw palmetto?
A small palm native to the southeastern United States whose berries are used in supplements sold for the prostate.
The berries contain fatty acids and plant sterols. Extracts are made by pressing or with solvents, and products vary a lot in strength. It is one of the best-selling herbal supplements for men, which is why it sits at the front of many prostate blends.
Dose02
How much saw palmetto is in Protoflow?
84.5 mg per serving of two capsules, listed without an extract type.
Trials of saw palmetto often used about 320 mg a day of a lipid extract (NCCIH, Saw Palmetto), and the CAMUS trial went up to 960 mg (Barry et al., JAMA 2011). Protoflow's amount is a fraction of that, in an unspecified form. It is therefore hard to say whether trial results apply, either for or against.
Trials03
What did the large trials find?
They found saw palmetto no better than placebo for the symptoms of BPH.
The CAMUS trial in JAMA randomized 369 men to saw palmetto extract at one, two and three times the standard dose or placebo, and found no difference in symptom scores (Barry et al., JAMA 2011). Cochrane pooled many trials and reached a similar view (Cochrane, Serenoa repens for BPH). NCCIH advises that it probably does not help BPH symptoms (NCCIH, Saw Palmetto).
At a glance04
How does the evidence line up?
| Source | Finding |
|---|---|
| NCCIH | Probably does not help BPH symptoms (NCCIH, Saw Palmetto) |
| JAMA CAMUS trial | No benefit up to triple dose (Barry et al., JAMA 2011) |
| Cochrane review | No better than placebo (Cochrane, Serenoa repens for BPH) |
| Protoflow | No study of the blend |
Safety05
Is saw palmetto safe?
It is generally well tolerated in studies, with mild stomach upset, headache or nausea reported.
NCCIH notes that it seems safe for short-term use, though there are rare reports of liver and pancreas problems and bleeding. Because Protoflow also contains ginkgo and vitamin E, which can affect bleeding, tell your doctor and surgeon about the blend. It is not known to be safe in pregnancy and is not for women.
PSA06
Can saw palmetto affect a PSA test?
Studies suggest it does not lower PSA, but you should still tell your doctor.
Some prostate drugs, such as finasteride, lower PSA. Saw palmetto is not known to do the same, but any supplement is worth mentioning before a test. The NCI explains that PSA readings need careful reading by a clinician (NCI, PSA Test). Do not use a supplement to chase a number.
Why it persists07
Why is it still so popular?
Because early studies were hopeful, it is natural, and many men prefer it to medicines.
Small early trials and tradition drove sales. Larger, better trials then showed no benefit, but marketing did not change at the same pace. Hope is not proof, and a popular herb is not a tested treatment. If symptoms bother you, ask about medicines that have been tested (NIDDK, Enlarged Prostate (BPH)).
Questions08
What should you ask before relying on it?
Ask which extract it is, what the fatty acid content is and whether the lot was tested.
A lipid-sterolic extract standardized to 85 to 95 percent fatty acids is what most trials used. A plain berry powder is different and weaker. If the seller cannot say which one is in the capsule, then any claim based on trials is a guess. Ask in writing at [email protected], and keep the answer with your order records.
Bottom line09
What is the bottom line on saw palmetto in Protoflow?
It is a small amount of an herb whose best trials were negative.
If you have urinary symptoms, see a doctor, and keep taking prescribed medicine.
FAQ10
Questions on this topic
Does saw palmetto shrink the prostate?
Large trials did not show that. NCCIH says it probably does not help BPH symptoms.
Is saw palmetto in Protoflow enough to work?
The amount is 84.5 mg in an unspecified form, a fraction of trial doses, and trials of higher doses were negative.
Should women use saw palmetto?
Protoflow is for men, and the herb is not recommended in pregnancy. Ask a doctor.
Does saw palmetto interact with medicines?
It may add to the bleeding effect of blood thinners and has hormone-related questions. Ask your pharmacist.
Who wrote this11
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized retailer of Protoflow, not by the manufacturer or the label distributor. Buying through our order links earns us money.
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