A member of the palm family, saw palmetto is found in coastal regions,
like Texas and Florida. The fruit and seeds of the saw palmetto plant
have been used for years to regulate hormonal imbalances, and support
and tone the glandular tissues of both men and women. Saw palmetto also
strengthens the thyroid,
which controls overall gland function.
An herb used to tone and strengthen male and female reproductive
systems, saw palmetto relieves testicular inflammation, inhibits the
hormone responsible for
prostate
enlargement, and reduces breast tenderness related to breast feeding and
menstruation.
Saw palmetto's antiseptic and astringent properties help to ease
inflamed and irritated tissues of the urinary tract. Expelling toxins
and irritants by stimulating urine flow, saw palmetto may help reduce
the risk of urinary tract infections.
As an expectorant, saw palmetto alleviates coughs and congestion brought
on by asthma, bronchitis and
colds. Saw palmetto may also be used to balance the metabolism,
aid digestion and stimulate the
appetite
to increase weight gain.
Take two capsules of Saw Palmetto 3 times a day with meals or take two
capsules of Saw Palmetto Concentrate once a day.
Saw Palmetto Gives Prostate Relief!
50 to 60% of men will experience benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), the swelling of the prostate gland. The prostate
gland surrounds the urethra--imagine a rubber washer (prostate) with a
straw (urethra) strung through it, and you have the basic setup. As the
prostate gland swells and pinches closed the urethra, problems begin to
emerge: painful urination, decreased flow, difficulty stopping or
starting flow, nocturnal urination, etc.--these are clearly unpleasant
and undesirable symptoms.
Hormonal changes that take place as men age are responsible for BPH and
an understanding of these changes and how they effect the prostate gland
will help to explain why Saw Palmetto is so effective at relieving BPH.
As men age levels of testosterone decrease, but levels of some other
hormones actually increase. The hormones that increase are FSH, LH,
estrogen, and prolactin. One other culprit, an enzyme called
5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
is increased as well. Though levels of testosterone drop, the
testosterone that is present begins to concentrate in the prostate
gland--inefficient removal of the testosterone combined with increasing
levels of 5-alpha-reductase results in inordinately high levels of DHT,
a much more potent hormone than its precursor. This in turn causes the
prostate gland to swell. Estrogen seems to inhibit the removal of DHT,
complicating the situation further and prolactin is known to be an
aggravating factor as well.
Saw Palmetto inhibits DHT binding to cellular receptors, inhibits the
action of 5-alpha-reductase, and helps block the action of estrogen. The
net of these actions is a track record in reducing the severity of BPH
in mild to moderate cases that is better than
finasteride (Proscar), the most commonly prescribed medication for BPH
in the US, and a specific 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (it is interesting
to note that while Saw Palmetto is not nearly as strong a
5-alpha-reductase inhibitor as Proscar, its generality of action makes
it more effective than Proscar in mild to moderate BPH - this seems to
be typical of herbal medicines). In Germany and Austria, Saw Palmetto is
a first-line treatment for BPH, where it is far out-prescribed over
Proscar. Saw Palmetto is MUCH cheaper than Proscar and has no side
effects. 1-2 weeks of Saw Palmetto supplementation should reveal whether
or not it will be effective for you (some people notice results within
hours); if it works, plan on taking it regularly.
Do Not Self-Diagnose BPH!
BPH is a potentially life-threatening situation, if
left untreated it leads to kidney problems, and can kill! Symptoms of
BPH are difficult to distinguish from those of prostate cancer, and a
simple test called a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test can make all
the difference in the world in terms of treatment regimens.
Talk to your doctor about BPH treatment. You may be surprised at
how open doctors are to "alternative" treatment of BPH with
Saw Palmetto. If your doctor is reluctant, give him/her the list of
references at the bottom of this page.
Side Effects of Saw Palmetto
Rare gastrointestinal disturbances, otherwise none.
How Much Saw Palmetto To Take
Most of the studies done on Saw Palmetto have been on supplements right
around 160mg of Saw Palmetto standardized at 85-95% fatty acids and
sterols, taken twice daily.
Other Considerations with Saw Palmetto
Saw Palmetto is the best first line of attack in
relieving BPH, but it is not the only one, nor are the hormonal changes
described above the only aggravating factors. Other things that have
been shown helpful include zinc, Flaxseed Oil, amino acid, Stinging
Nettle, Pygeum, and Cernilton supplementation, high protein diet, and
increased consumption of soy products. Other aggravating factors are
beer (sorry, its the hops), cadmium (from cigarette smoke), peroxidized
cholesterol (take your antioxidants!), and pesticides (common on
non-organically grown fruits and vegetables).
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Capsule
Number of servings: 60 |
|
Amount
per serving |
% USRDA |
Saw Palmetto berry (Extract) |
160 mg |
|
Vitamin C |
100 mg |
** |
One capsule contains 160 mg of Saw Palmetto berry
extract standardized to 85-95% fatty acids with a guaranteed
minimum of 0.2-0.4% sterols in a base of grapeseed oil. |
* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie
diet
** No daily value established |
Directions: Take 1 capsule twice daily with food. |
* This statements have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drag Administration.
This products are not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
References
- Boccafoschi & Annoscia "Comparison of Serenoa repens
Extract with Placebo by Controlled Clinical Trial in Patients with
Prostatic Adenomatosis", Urologia 50 (1983): 1257-68.
- Braeckman, "The Extract of Serenoa repens in the Treatment of
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Multicenter Open Study", Curr
Ther Res 55 (1994): 776-85.
- Champlault, Patel & Bonnard, "A Double-Blind Trial of an
Extract of the Plant Serenoa repens in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia",
Br J Clin Pharmacol 18 (1984): 461-2.
- Cirillo-Marucco, Pagliarulo & Tritto, et. al., "Extract
of Serenoa repens (Permixon) in the Early Treatment of Prostatic
Hypertrophy", Urologia 5 (1983): 1269-77.
- Emili, Lo Cigno & Petrone, "Clinical Trial of a New Drug
for Treating Hypertrohy of the Prostate (Permixon)", Urologia
50 (1983): 1042-8.
- Tasca, Barulli, & Cavazzana, et. el., "Treatment of
Obstructive Symptomatology Caused by Prostatic Adenoma with an
Extract of Serenoa repens: Double-Blind Clinical Study vs.
Placebo", Minerva Urol Nefrol 37 (1985): 87-91.
- Tripodi, Giancaspro & Pascarella, et. al., "Treatment of
Prostatic Hypertrophy with Serenoa repens Extract", Med Praxis
4 (1983): 41-6.