br br Saw palmetto (also known as the American dwarf palm tree) has many benefits for managing an aging prostate. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and is rich in phytosterols — including beta-sitosterol — and fatty acids. Saw palmetto can be a healthy part of a prostate-friendly lifestyle and diet. br br Another benefit of saw palmetto as it relates to aging health is that this supplement can help manage hormones that are responsible for regulating prostate growth. Saw palmetto extract can help block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and it inhibits 5-alpha-reductase activity in prostate tissue. Studies have found that it improves urinary flow and decreases nighttime urination, which can help improve a man’s quality of life. br br br Shopping for prostate supplements br br When researching the top prostate supplements with saw palmetto, keep certain things in mind. Look for a formulation that also contains at least the following ingredients: br br Stinging nettle. br Curcumin. br Quercetin. br br These ingredients work well with saw palmetto, plus there are a few other ingredients that are also beneficial for prostate health. The better prostate formulations also include: br br Beta-sitosterol. br Vitamin D3. br DIM. br Cranberry. br Pygeum. br Zinc. br Green tea extract. br Pollen exracts. br br Read the supplement panel to find out if the product contains clinical-strength ingredients that are going to make a positive difference in your health. Do not buy products that have a “proprietary blend,” which could indicate that the manufacturer is hiding the fact there are very small amounts of the ingredients. br br You’ll want to consider who made the product you want to take. Look for a doctor created prostate supplement that was formulated by a naturopath or urologist who specializes in treating men with prostate health problems. br br Some studies on saw palmetto br There are many studies on saw palmetto, but there are some things to know about this supplement. When saw palmetto is used alone in studies on prostate health, it sometimes does not work as well as when it is combined with other supplements. br br In one study involving saw palmetto and prostatitis, a group of prostatitis patients took antibiotics, while another group took antibiotics with a supplement that contained saw palmetto, curcumin, quercetin, and other natural ingredients. Nearly 90 percent of patients who took the supplement said their symptoms were gone after one month, compared to only 27 percent of the men who took only the antibiotic. Prostatitis did not return for any men in the supplement group during the following six months. Patients who didn’t use the supplement continued to experience persistent problems.