Herbal Help for Prostate Woes

Well, guys, it is a fact of life that as we age, the prostate gland enlarges, resulting in urinary difficulties. Not exactly cheery news. The most common symptoms are “hesitant” and weak urinary flow, urgency or leaking, and more frequent trips to the John, especially at night. So much for a good night’s sleep!

This condition is known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), which affects over half of men in their sixties. That figure grows to almost 90% for men in their seventies and eighties.(1) Clearly, a long life means you’ll probably be dealing with the annoyance of BPH.

A Natural Helper

Now, most people know that saw palmetto is a BIG help. But – they don’t know WHY.

Let me give you some insight.

The fruit of the plant was traditionally used by Native Americans as both a staple food and a medicine.(2, 3) Saw Palmetto is named for its sharp, saw-like leaves and it grows as a dense ground cover in pine forests from South Carolina down to Florida and across the southeast coastal plain to Louisiana.

The medicinal herbal extract is actually taken from the dried ripe berry of the saw palmetto plant. In fact, saw palmetto is now being grown commercially due to the popularity of using it for treatment for BPH in Europe. It is the number one initial treatment for BPH in Germany and Austria.(4) It is also used about 50% of the time for treatment in Italy.(5) No wonder thousands of tons of saw palmetto berries get shipped to Europe for use in herbal supplements.

And the Research Shows…

Sadly, Europe is way ahead of us in saw palmetto studies. One review of 18 placebo-controlled trials, involving 2,939 men, evaluated four types of urinary difficulty. Results showed the group using saw palmetto extract experienced the following improvements over the placebo group: 28% reduction in hesitancy, 25% reduction in nighttime urination, 28% improvement of urinary flow and 43% less urine remaining in the bladder after voiding.(6)

Another large, double-blind study (where neither doctor or patient knows what is being administered) of 1069 men compared saw palmetto against a prescription medication for six months. Symptom scores were very close. There was a 37% improvement in urinary symptoms with the saw palmetto and 39% with the drug. Quality of life scores were even better: 69% improvement with saw palmetto and 73% with the drug.(7)

So — How Does It Work?

The exact mechanism of how saw palmetto relieves BPH symptoms is still a matter of speculation. Research indicates that saw palmetto may block the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a more powerful form. Since it is known that men who do not produce DHT do not develop BPH, that may be a key factor. Saw palmetto may also have an anti-inflammatory effect that relieves pressure on the urethra.(8, 9)

Is Saw Palmetto For You?

My focus continues to be on preventive medicine and natural treatments whenever possible, so I find the studies on saw palmetto to be fascinating and informative. With BPH affecting almost all men as they grow older, a natural, inexpensive herb that can improve uncomfortable urinary symptoms really adds value to everyday life.

Of course you need to contact your health care provider before making any change to your diet, exercise or supplement program.

Source:

1. “Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia”, National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH Publication No. 07–3012, June 2006
2. “Saw Palmetto”, National Institutes of Health, NCCAM Publication No. D275
3. “Saw Palmetto”, University of Maryland Medical Center
4. “Saw Palmetto, Herb Treatment for Benign Enlargement of the Prostate Gland (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy)”, MedicineNet.com
5. Gordon Andrea E, M.D, Shaunessy, Alan F, PHARM.D., “Saw Palmetto for Prostate Disorders”, American Family Physician, March 15, 2003
6. “Saw Palmetto, Herb Treatment for Benign Enlargement of the Prostate Gland (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy)”, MedicineNet.com
7. “Saw Palmetto, Herb Treatment for Benign Enlargement of the Prostate Gland (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy)”, MedicineNet.com
8. “Saw Palmetto, Herb Treatment for Benign Enlargement of the Prostate Gland (Benign Prostate Hypertrophy)”, MedicineNet.com
9. “Prostate Enlargement: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia”, National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIH Publication No. 07–3012, June 2006

The Author:

Dr. Blankstein has been practicing for over 30 years as a leading Cardiologist. Trained in traditional medicine and Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease, he knows the importance of good medical care. This consideration has allowed him to discover safe and natural ways of healing. His dedication to bringing the latest and best in health solutions to his patients and the public has given him the experience to research and develop proven natural remedies for many illnesses.

© 2009 Chesapeake Nutraceuticals