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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sregan on March 18, 2007, at 18:31:56
Can anyone explain why Saw Palmetto would have a psychoactive effect? I've tried it twice recently a few months apart and the next morning been totally wiped out feeling like I'm on deaths door.
Would it more likely be the Fatty acids or the Pygeum?
I just took one of these at lunch:
http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=NFS-04185
Breakdown:
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract (berry) 80 mg
Fatty acids and Sterols (95%) 76 mg
Pygeum Africanum (Prunus africana) extract (bark) 20 mg
Sterols (14%) 2.8 mg
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 18, 2007, at 20:56:59
In reply to Saw Palmetto and psychoactive effects!?!, posted by sregan on March 18, 2007, at 18:31:56
> Can anyone explain why Saw Palmetto would have a psychoactive effect? I've tried it twice recently a few months apart and the next morning been totally wiped out feeling like I'm on deaths door.
I've heard of a depressogenic effect of saw palmetto from one other person, but it didn't happen overnight. There's nothing about it in the literature on saw palmetto, but the few studies I've seen really didn't detail adverse effects that clearly. Testosterone is a neuroactive hormone, so maybe you're really sensitive to the sterols in these herbs? Possible allergy?
> Would it more likely be the Fatty acids or the Pygeum?
I think you might be slightly misinterpreting the label information.
> I just took one of these at lunch:
>
> http://www.iherb.com/store/ProductDetails.aspx?c=Herbs&pid=NFS-04185
>
> Breakdown:
>
> Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract (berry) 80 mg
>
> Fatty acids and Sterols (95%) 76 mgOf the 80 mg saw palmetto extract, 95% times 80 mg = 76 mg are composed of fats and dissolved sterols. The other 4 mg is not attributed. Consider this as 80 mg crude saw palmetto oil. This is a tiny amount of fats, and you're taking it for the sterols that are co-extracted.
> Pygeum Africanum (Prunus africana) extract (bark) 20 mg
>
> Sterols (14%) 2.8 mgSame thing here, 20 mg times 14% = 2.8 mg sterols. I'd presume this is nothing more than the standard concentration of sterols in Pygeum bark powder.
Sometimes just trying a different brand can yield different results. Maybe just a straight saw palmetto product?
Lar
Posted by sregan on March 18, 2007, at 21:35:49
In reply to Re: Saw Palmetto and psychoactive effects!?! » sregan, posted by Larry Hoover on March 18, 2007, at 20:56:59
> I've heard of a depressogenic effect of saw palmetto from one other person, but it didn't happen overnight. There's nothing about it in the literature on saw palmetto, but the few studies I've seen really didn't detail adverse effects that clearly. Testosterone is a neuroactive hormone, so maybe you're really sensitive to the sterols in these herbs? Possible allergy?
Larry,
Thanks for the reply. I've seen an allergist and accordingly if it doesn't involve sneezing and runny nose it ain't allergy. I've got a very sensitive neurochemistry currently. I think I'm a cross between CFS and Fibro for the last 3 years. I've had similar reactions with 5HTP, recently Fish oil and the worse has been Saw Palmetto. I just read something about SP affecting certain hormones.
> Sometimes just trying a different brand can yield different results. Maybe just a straight saw palmetto product?
That was my next attempt. I've checked the ingredient list of others and they include the fatty stuff. The Pygeum was an addition.
Posted by sregan on March 21, 2007, at 11:43:51
In reply to Re: Saw Palmetto and psychoactive effects!?! » sregan, posted by Larry Hoover on March 18, 2007, at 20:56:59
Larry,
I may have a clue as I have found I am sensitive to glucocorticoid changes. Saw Palemetto is high sitosterols especially Beta-Sitosterol according to:
http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/herbs_saw_palmetto.html
Beta-Sitosterol has a cortisol regulating (lowering) effect.
It also resportedly is a diuretic and especially good at encouraging the kidneys to remove sodium and chloride.
Sooo..
Anyone with adrenal fatigue/insufficiency taking Saw Palmetto could make them feel worse.
Posted by Larry Hoover on March 21, 2007, at 12:11:56
In reply to Re: Clue: Saw Palemetto high in Beta-Sitosterol » Larry Hoover, posted by sregan on March 21, 2007, at 11:43:51
> Larry,
>
> I may have a clue as I have found I am sensitive to glucocorticoid changes. Saw Palemetto is high sitosterols especially Beta-Sitosterol according to:
>
> http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/herbs_saw_palmetto.html
>
> Beta-Sitosterol has a cortisol regulating (lowering) effect.
>
> It also resportedly is a diuretic and especially good at encouraging the kidneys to remove sodium and chloride.
>
> Sooo..
> Anyone with adrenal fatigue/insufficiency taking Saw Palmetto could make them feel worse.And the Pygeum is also high in beta-sitosterol. Double whammy.
Makes sense to me.
Maybe find a lowest tolerated dose?
Lar
This is the end of the thread.
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