Saw Palmetto: A Plus for Prostate Health

As men age, their prostates become an increasing source of trouble. In fact, by age 50, men are 50 percent more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, and by age 80 they are between 80-90 percent more likely to develop BPH.

With such staggering numbers it's not surprising that, in the year 2000, 6.5 million men in the U.S. between the ages of 50-75 met the criteria for discussing treatment. The good news is that this condition is treatable, and one of the most proven ingredients to help reduce symptoms is not pharmaceutical, but natural: saw palmetto.

Saw palmetto is a small, low-growing tree native to southeastern regions of the United States. Native Americans used the tree's berries prior to European presence for treatment of stomachache and dysentery, and also as a diuretic and sexual tonic. Saw palmetto was actually an official drug, listed in the "United States Pharmacopeia" from 1906-1916 and the "National Formulary" from 1926-1950. Since then, it has had a rich history of being a well-researched, safe, and effective herbal remedy for BPH.

With the active components being the sterols and free fatty acids found in the berries, saw palmetto decreases the enlargement of the prostate, and as a result decreases painful urination and increases urinary flow rate. In 19 studies that included 7,210 participants, all but two demonstrated positive effects for BPH. While some studies reported little to no change resulting for men with BPH who were supplemented with saw palmetto, no adverse effects were reported in either case.

One concern with saw palmetto was that supplementation could mask prostate cancer by lowering the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Yet a randomized study involving more than 1,000 patients did not demonstrate this effect on PSA levels. The same study, however, showed that finasteride, a pharmaceutical also used for prostate treatment, did decrease the PSA levels by 41 percent.

While side effects with saw palmetto are rare, it is recommended that women who are pregnant or lactating should not use the herb due to potential hormone activity. Ingestion of large amounts of saw palmetto berries may cause diarrhea, while ingestion of saw palmetto on an empty stomach may cause nausea.

Reprinted with permission from Vitamin Retailer