Saw Palmetto: Natural Health For The Prostate

Saw Palmetto: Natural Health For The Prostate

Saw palmetto consists of the partially dried, ripe fruit of a low, bushy palm that grows from South Carolina to Florida. The saw palmetto tree grows only about two to four feet high, with peanut - shaped askew leaves and abundant berries. Native Americans used these berries for the treatment of various urinary problems in men. Succeeding, European physicians began using it to relieve the symptoms of BPH ( benign prostatic hyperplasia ) by:

* Developing urinary flow
* Evolving ease of urination
* Facilitating a more complete emptying of the bladder
* Decreasing frequency of urination *

Though some recent studies report irreconcilable results, a review of 18 randomized mishap conducted between 1983 and 1997 and involving approximately 3, 000 participants finished that saw palmetto herbal products provided some benefit in controlling lower urinary tract symptoms and flow measures in men with BPH. * The mechanism of occupation of saw palmetto is knowing to be through its capability to block hormone ( testosterone and estrogen ) receptor sites and its anti - inflammatory effects.

The recommended dose is one to two grams of the herb per day or 320 mg of an alcohol extract per day. It should be noted that while most researchers believe that saw palmetto is good for representative relief of BPH only and that it does not shrink the size of the far-reaching prostate, there is some research to suggest that saw palmetto may actually cause the prostate to shrink slightly, thereby retarding prostate enlargement. *

The drug Proscar does this, too, and to a greater extent than saw palmetto, but other usual medications for BPH have no aftermath on prostate size. Saw palmetto may also latitude a role in the management of non - bacterial prostatitis, but it does NOT rein a role in the treatment of prostate cancer. *

Routine prostate screenings, including digital rectal inquiry ( DRE ) and blood tests for prostate individualistic antigen ( PSA ), should be conducted on a familiar rudiment, as advised by a trained physician. Apropos to its skill to bump hormone receptor sites, it should not be taken by patients obtaining hormone therapy, nor should it be taken by those obtaining anticoagulant medication.

* REFERENCES
1. Tyler VE. " Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals, " Pharmaceutical Products Press, Binghamptom, NY, 1994. p. 82.
2. Languish TJ, Ishani A, Rutks I et al. Phytotherapy for amiable prostatic hyperplasia. Public Health Nutr 2000; 2 ( 4a ): 459 - 472.
3. Braeckman J. The extract of Serenoa repens in the treatment of friendly prostatic hyperplasia: a multicenter unbarred study. Curr Ther Res. 1994; 55: 776 - 785.
4. Romics I, Schmitz H, Frang D. Skill in treating kind prostatic hypertrophy with Sabal serrulata for one date. Int Urol Nephrol. 1993; 25: 565 - 569.
5. Marks LS, Partin AW, Epstein JI, et al. Effects of a saw palmetto herbal blend in men with symbolic generous prostatic hyperplasia. J Urol. 2000; 163: 1451 - 1456.
6. Kaplan SA, Volpe MA, Te AE. A subsequent, 1 - extent trial using saw palmetto versus finasteride in the treatment of set III prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome. J Urol. 2004; 171: 284 - 288.