Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

stood, though theories abound. Most doctors feel
that low doses of SAMe do no harm and thus are
worth trying if they might bring improvement.
The precautions that apply to other uses of SAMe
remain pertinent. People taking SAMe for chronic
back pain or CFS should do so only with the
knowledge of their doctors, to avoid any possible
interactions with prescription medications and to
monitor for adverse effects or further deterioration
of the underlying condition.

SAMe

Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions
DEPRESSION serotonin syndrome MAOI antidepressants
OSTEOARTHRITIS gastrointestinal upset
chronic BACK insomnia
PAIN
CHRONIC FATIGUE
SYNDROME

See also CHONDROITIN; GLUCOSAMINE; ST. JOHN’S
WORT.

saw palmetto A botanical preparation made
from the berries of the saw palmetto tree (Sabal
serrulata) native to the American coastal south-
west. Saw palmetto prevents the PROSTATE GLAND
from enlarging, though it does not appear to
reduce enlargement that has already occurred.
Though many people believe saw palmetto can
prevent PROSTATE CANCER, so far there is no conclu-
sive evidence to support this effect.
Researchers do not know for certain what
ingredients in saw palmetto have an active effect,
though believe its fatty acids contain substances
that mildly suppress TESTOSTERONEand its precur-
sors (chemicals the body converts to testosterone).
This action reduces testosterone levels enough to
inhibit the growth of prostate cells but not so
much as to cause other symptoms related to low
testosterone such as diminished LIBIDOor ERECTILE
DYSFUNCTION. Such symptoms are common with
conventional medications such as finasteride
(Proscar) to treat BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA
(BPH), a condition affecting about half of men over
age 60. Many doctors recommend a trial of saw
palmetto before moving to finasteride, as saw pal-
metto is significantly less expensive as well as less
likely to cause undesired side effects.

Men who take saw palmetto for BPH should

have an annual prostate examination to check for

early signs of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto is

available in numerous formulations as dietary

supplements, many of which include other ingre-

dients. Health experts recommend choosing prod-

ucts that contain 90 to 95 percent saw palmetto

sterol oils or fatty acids. Combination products

may not contain enough saw palmetto to be effec-

tive. Saw palmetto can cause gastrointestinal dis-

tress; doctors recommend taking it with meals.

Men who have prostate cancer should take saw

palmetto only if their doctors approve; saw pal-

metto may interfere with some hormone-based

prostate cancer treatments.

SAW PALMETTO (Sabal serrulata)

Uses Risks/Side Effects Interactions

stop PROSTATE stomach upset some PROSTATE

gland enlargement CANCER

relieve BPH treatments

symptoms

See alsoAGING, URINARY SYSTEM CHANGES THAT

OCCUR WITH; LYCOPENE; PROSTATE HEALTH; PROSTATITIS.

soy Researchers have noticed since the 1970s

that people whose diets include soybeans and soy-

based foods such as tofu have lower blood choles-

terol levels and lower rates of CARDIOVASCULAR

DISEASE(CVD). Numerous research studies have iso-

lated various soy proteins such as genistein and

daidzein that have demonstrated their ability to

decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) choles-

terol. The US Food and Drug Administration

(FDA), which regulates the health claims manu-

facturers may make about their products, allows

manufacturers to tout this effect on products that

contain 25 grams or more of soy protein.

FOOD SOURCES OF SOY

immature soybeans (edemame) mature soybeans

roasted soy nuts textured vegetable

tofu protein (TVP)

miso dried soybeans

tempeh soymilk

soy protein isolate soy flakes

soy cheese

98 Alternative and Complementary Approaches