SAW PALMETTO - A HERB FOR THE PROSTATE

Help for the Prostate with Saw Palmetto

Almost all men over 50 will experience some prostate problems. The prostate gland produces the semen fluid that carries the sperm. It is shaped like a doughnut, with the urethra that empties the bladder passing through the "doughnut hole." When the prostate gland enlarges, it tends to compress the urethra, narrowing its effective diameter and creating the usual symptoms of restrictive urine flow. An enlarged prostate manifests itself with a number of annoying symptoms, including reduced urinary flow, frequent and sometimes painful urination, nighttime urination (nocturia), difficulty in starting and stopping urination, and a feeling that the bladder is not really empty.

How does Saw Palmetto work? A potent hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may be the culprit that causes the prostate to enlarge, since high levels of DHT are found in men who have prostate enlargement. The research suggests that Saw Palmetto extract can inhibit the action of a key enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. It also may prevent DHT from binding to receptor cites in prostate tissue, and it can block estrogen's effect on the prostate. F-strogen is produced at low levels in men.

Does the science support the claims? Many Studies show that Saw Palmetto extract can alleviate many of the symptoms, such as increased urinary frequency, nighttime urination and reduced urine flow and volume. In one study 1,334 men with enlarged prostate were given an extract of Saw Palmetto for 12 weeks. The extract improved nighttime urination and decreased residual urine. The percentage of patients with painful urination decreased from 75% to 37%. The effectiveness of the herb was considered to be good to excellent in more than 80% of the cases, and good to excellent tolerability was reported by more than 95% of users.

Another study with 305 patients demonstrated positive results with Saw Palmetto extract. Men with mild to moderate symptoms of enlarged prostate were given an oral dose of 160 mg of Saw palmetto extract, two times daily for three months. After only 45 days, improvement was noted in urinary flow rates, residual urinary volume and prostate size. After three months 88% of the patients and the treating physicians considered the Saw Palmetto extract effective in treating the urination problems caused by prostate enlargement, with a low incidence of side effects.'

How much should I take? Clinical evaluations of Saw Palmetto have shown that 320mg once a day or in divided doses is effective. Doses less than 320mg, may not provide sufficient effect.