Side Effects And Precautions
Although generally considered a safe supplement, saw palmetto might cause mild stomach upset or headache, and shouldn’t be used by pregnant or breast-feeding women, or by anyone with or at risk of a hormone-related cancer 5. It has blood-thinning properties and could interact with anticoagulant drugs, and it shouldn’t be combined with prescription anti-BPH medications. It could affect receptors, or cellular binding sites, for sex hormones, so don’t take it with oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy. Discuss use of saw palmetto with your doctor to decide whether it’s a good choice for you 5.
Saw Palmetto: Just As Effective As Flomax
Saw palmetto has been used for hundreds of years to treat prostate problems. Native Americans used it to treat male urinary problems and its also been used in American folk medicine as an aphrodisiac. Its been widely used in Europe for many years and more Americans have been recognizing it as a natural remedy for BPH over the past decade.
In a 2020 study published by the American Journal of Mens Health,saw palmetto was found to be just as effective as Tamsulosin in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms .In the study, when compared to Tamsulosin, Serenoa repens had the same effect in treating BPH symptoms such as incomplete emptying, urgency to pee, urination frequency, intermittency, weak stream, straining and nocturia.
And its effective without the risk of any adverse effects. In a 2008 study published by Complementary Therapies in Medicine on the treatment of enlarged prostate, there was no evidence that consumption of saw palmetto extract was associated with any clinically important adverse effects.
The most common side effects in clinical trials have been mild gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and abdominal pain.
Does Saw Palmetto Treat Enlarged Prostate
Study Shows Saw Palmetto Is No Better Than Placebo in Treating Symptoms of BPH
Sept. 27, 2011 — For years, men with enlarged prostate glands have turned to a supplement called saw palmetto to ease their trouble with urination and other symptoms.
Exactly how saw palmetto was thought to relieve the symptoms is unclear, but the fruit of saw palmetto dwarf palm tree remains widely used.
Now, a new study shows that this popular remedy is no more effective than a placebo or dummy pill at relieving these symptoms — even in high doses.
The study is published in The Journal of the American Medical Association.
The technical name for an enlarged prostate gland is benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Symptoms of BPH include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Not feeling empty after urination
As a result, men run the risk of developing urinary tract infections and/or needing surgery because of a blockage of urine flow.
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Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Agbabiaka, T. B., Pittler, M. H., Wider, B., and Ernst, E. Serenoa repens : a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Saf 2009 32:637-647. View abstract.
Al Shukri, S. H., Deschaseaux, P., Kuzmin, I. V., and Amdiy, R. R. Early urodynamic effects of the lipido-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens ) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate Cancer Prostatic.Dis. 2000 3:195-199. View abstract.
Aliaev, IuG, Vinarov, A. Z., Lokshin, K. L., and Spivak, L. G. . Urologiia. 2006 :47-50. View abstract.
Anceschi, R., Bisi, M., Ghidini, N., Ferrari, G., and Ferrari, P. Serenoa repens ) reduces intra- and postoperative complications of surgical treatments of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Minerva Urol.Nefrol. 2010 62:219-223. View abstract.
Anonymous. Effectiveness of lipidosterol extract Serenoa repens in patients with prostatic hyperplasia. Urologiia. 2002 :23-25. View abstract.
Ashar, B. H., Rice, T. N., and Sisson, S. D. Medical residents’ knowledge of dietary supplements. South.Med J 2008 101:996-1000. View abstract.
Authie D and Cauquil J. Appreciation de l’efficacite de permixon en pratique quotidienne. . C R Ther Pharmacol Clin 1987 5:4-13.
Avins, A. L. and Bent, S. Saw palmetto and lower urinary tract symptoms: what is the latest evidence? Curr Urol Rep. 2006 7:260-265. View abstract.
Bauer, H. W., Casarosa, C., Cosci, M., Fratta, M., and Blessmann, G. . MMW.Fortschr.Med 6-24-1999 141:62. View abstract.
How Do You Find The Prostate
Now for the how-to: You can first access the prostate via the perineum, a spot right in between the testicles and the anus. Communication is important during every step. Even before you begin, consider talking to your partner about what feels right for both of you. You can decide on things like how many fingers might feel best. You can agree on whether a firm touch or a lighter touch is in order. Maybe as you talk things through, youll discover you both feel comfortable enough to explore and see what feels right in the moment. That way, even if prostate massage isnt something you regularly want to incorporate into your sex life, youll have explored it in a way that feels safe and fun for everyone involved.
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Is Saw Palmetto Natures Cure For An Enlarged Prostate
Chairman of Urology, Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, Professor of Urology at Hofstra School of Medicine
An enlarged prostate also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , has been treated in various ways with one of them being the use of the dietary supplement saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is one of the most commonly used supplements by men with prostate cancer and BPH. In 2011, over $18 million of saw palmetto was sold in the United States, ranking it third among herbal dietary supplements.
Saw palmetto is a palm-like plant that grows like a tree or shrub in warm climates and can reach heights of up to 10 feet with clusters of leaves spreading out to 2 feet or more. Once a staple food of Native Americans living along coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, saw palmetto has been used as early as the 1900s by men to treat urinary tract issues and to increase sperm production and sex drive.
Whether saw palmetto is truly an effective use for treating BPH or not is still up for debate. More long-term studies are needed to say for sure if this alternative supplement is a viable option for BPH.
All men with an enlarged prostate should thoroughly discuss with their doctor first before using saw palmetto to treat BPH. It is generally thought of as safe when used under the guidance of a physician and may be a suitable alternative method of treatment for BPH.
Composition of saw palmetto
· May reduce the loss of libido
Sundown Naturals Saw Palmetto
Sundown Naturals Saw Palmetto has 450 mg of raw plant material per capsule, but doesnt bother with standardizing the fatty acid content or the saw palmetto extract content.
This is a good choice if you want to use raw plant material as your unit of dosing, but not if you want to maximize the content of the saw palmetto fatty acids in the extract.
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Additional Supplements To Help Relieve Symptoms Of An Enlarged Prostate
Another great supplement is the stinging nettle root. The nettle root contains similar anti-inflammatory and antioxidants as the pygeum and saw palmetto. Most times the nettle root is combined with saw palmetto.
Beta-sitosterol, a compound similar to cholesterol, is found in some plants and seeds like pumpkin seeds. This compound has been shown to improve urine flow. It can also reduce the amount of urine left in the bladder after one urinates. Issues with urination are a symptom of an enlarged prostate.
According to some studies, taking 10 grams of pumpkin seed extract daily can help with BPH symptoms. One study suggests that lycopene a naturally occurring pigment found in many fruits and vegetables may slow the progression of an enlarged prostate.
The richest source of lycopene available to most people is tomatoes. There are a few other vegetables and fruits that contain lower levels of this antioxidant. Generally speaking the deeper red or pink fruit or vegetable is in color the higher the lycopene content is.
The mineral zinc can reduce the likeliness of an enlarged prostate. Increasing the dietary intake of zinc could help reduce urinary issues associated with an enlarged prostate. People can find zinc in seafood, poultry, and many types of nuts and seeds. For example, sesame or pumpkin seeds.
Caffeine stimulates the bladder causing the sudden urge to urinate. This could potentially worsen BPH symptoms.
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Your Underlying Medical Issue
The clinical diagnosis for an enlarged prostate gland is benign prostatic hyperplasia , and its the most common cause of frequent urination or urinary pain in men.
But these symptoms dont always mean that your prostate is enlarged. It could be inflamed or infecteda condition known as prostatitis that requires antibiotics. Your urinary troubles could also be a side effect from another medication.
Taking an over-the-counter supplement without having a doctor find and address the true source of your symptoms is dangerous, even if it provides temporary relief.
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Why Do People Take It
Some small studies have shown saw palmetto might help you with BPH symptoms in several ways. Among them:
- You may need to get up less often at night to pee.
- It can improve your flow when you go.
- It can ease painful urination.
Can You Take It for Other Problems?
You may have heard about people taking saw palmetto for other reasons than BPH. Some of them include:
Vitamin D Deficiency: Health Complications
Additionally, vitamin D deficiency can increase cardiovascular risk factors. Some of them increases the risk of BPH. These parameters are inversely related to prostate volume. In other words, as obesity or hypertension becomes worse, the prostate gland tends to increase.
Another vitamin D deficiency risk that causes prostate enlargement is oxidative stress. In an environment with excess free radicals, the structures of the molecules start to change. The prostate tissue undergoes changes as well and starts to grow in response.
Thats why a recent study evaluated all of these associations, and the authors gave their opinion. They suggest that vitamin D deficiency counts as an independent risk factor for BPH. In other words, you can have normal health, but vitamin D deficiency alone will cause BPH. The authors of this study published in the journal Urology recommend vitamin D as a therapeutic target and a potential marker of BPH .
Similarly, other studies have evaluated the effect of vitamin D levels in the incidence of prostate cancer. The authors report that vitamin D levels are lower in patients with BPH. However, they are still lower in patients with prostate cancer. As vitamin D levels were reduced, the Gleason score and the aggressiveness of cancer increased .
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Foods That Shrink The Prostate Gland
Benign prostatic hyperplasia becomes a common ailment as we age. It is an enlargement of the prostate gland and causes various urinary symptoms.
BPH is not cancer, but sometimes the prostate gland grows too much, and doctors decide to practice surgery. But if you have a slightly increased gland, you may need non-invasive treatment instead.
The normal prostate is made up of a given number of cells. In a prostate with BPH, the number of cells increases.
The exact cause is unknown, but aging and hormones are both critical factors. It is the primary cause of urinary symptoms in men, especially urinary retention and frequent urination.
Urination becomes frequent and sometimes difficult and wakes them up at night. Some patients may also have erectile dysfunction, but this symptom is usually due to other health conditions.
The majority of these problems can be solved by reducing the size of the prostate gland. But is it possible? How can you shrink the prostate gland with foods?
Saw Palmetto Or Rx Drugs
So should men skip the saw palmetto and go right to prescription medications?
Not so fast. “There is no real downside to taking saw palmetto, but the patient forgoes treatment that we know works,” says researcher Gerald Andriole, MD. He is the Robert K. Royce distinguished professor and chief of urologic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Certain prescription medications can help treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. These include alpha blockers such as Cardura , Flomax , Hytrin , and Uroxatral . These drugs help relax the prostate muscle tissue to increase the flow of urine.
Another category of drugs to treat BPH are 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. These include Avodart and Proscar . They help shrink the enlarged prostate and may prevent further growth. Both types of drugs do have risks.
Some men will need surgery to relieve the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.
“Proven therapies prevent urinary retention and the need for surgery and help reduce the chances of developing a urinary tract infection,” Andriole says.
But according to the new study, “men are at the same risk for these events if they take saw palmetto as someone with placebo.”
Men in both groups — the saw palmetto and placebo — improved slightly.
Put another way: the placebo was just as effective as the saw palmetto at relieving prostate problems such as frequent urination.
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Why Is This Happening
Male anatomy includes a gland located between the bladder and penis that secretes prostatic fluid, meant to nourish sperm and provide protection for its journey out of the body. Running through the centre of this gland is the urethra, the tube whereby urine exits the body.
When prostate tissue starts to enlarge, it can put pressure on the urethra causing you to experience symptoms associated with a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia . The benign part is important to stress here as it indicates that BPH is a non-cancerous growth of tissue.
Does Saw Palmetto Cause Impotence
Saw palmetto does not cause impotence. On the contrary, it treats erection problems brought about by an enlarged prostate.
Saw palmetto does the opposite of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor drugs that worsen erection problems rather than reduce them. A 2012 clinical trial proves this. The study involved 69 men with enlarged prostate symptoms, including erectile dysfunction.
After taking saw palmetto capsules daily for 8 weeks, the patients showed a 64% improvement in terms of achieving and maintaining an erection. Their sex drive also improved by 54%.
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How To Treat Enlarged Prostate Naturally At Home: 5 Tips
Enlarged prostate, aka benign prostatic hyperplasia , is the disorder generally impacting males over 50 years old and older. This condition is not similar to prostate cancer.
The prostate is a muscular, small gland featuring with the shape of a walnut in the male reproductive system. It surrounds the urethra, below the urinary bladder and adds fluids to semen to let sperm mobile. Overtime and with age, the cells of the gland start to multiply, resulting in an enlarged prostate. Despite the precise cause of enlarged prostate is not known, changes in male sex hormones with age might be a basic factor.
If left untreated, an enlarged prostate could block the urine flow, resulting in other complications such as UTIs, kidney damage, urinary retention, and bladder stones.
There are a few effective treatments for this condition, containing medications, surgery, and therapies. However, before you go for those treatments, consider using some natural ingredients available in your home to deal with your problem naturally. Here, VKool.com introduces some useful tips on how to treat enlarged prostate naturally at home that you could implement right instantly. Check out now!
Saw Palmetto No Better Than Placebo For Enlarged Prostate
Stephen Bent, MD
Saw palmetto, an herbal extract commonly taken to improve urinary symptoms in men with enlargement of the prostate gland, is no more effective than a placebo, according to a new study.
The year-long, double-blind study of 225 men was led by Stephen Bent, MD, a staff physician at the San Francisco VA Medical Center, and Andrew Avins, MD, MPH, of the Northern California Kaiser Permanente Division of Research.
The results are published in the February 9, 2006 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
In their study, the researchers randomly assigned patients with enlargement of the prostate, also known as or benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH, to take either saw palmetto or a placebo twice a day for one year. Subjects returned at regular intervals to be assessed for symptoms and side effects. Symptoms were assessed according to a standard symptom score for BPH and objective measures of urinary function.
If you look at the change in symptoms over time between the two groups, it was almost identical, reports Bent, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. There was no statistically significant difference at any time point during the study.
The researchers also looked at subgroups of patients – those with more and less severe symptoms and those with larger and smaller prostates – and found no difference in any of the subgroups between the herbal extract and placebo.
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Saw Palmetto No Benefit As Prostate Remedy
The fruit of the saw palmetto tree does not relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, even when men take the herbal supplement in very high doses, a new study shows.
The research is published Sept. 28, 2011, in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Many older U.S. men take saw palmetto extract in an attempt to reduce bothersome symptoms of a swollen prostate, including frequent urination and a sense of urgency. Its use in Europe is even more widespread because doctors often recommend saw palmetto over more traditional drug treatments.
Results of the new study may settle an ongoing debate over the effectiveness of saw palmetto for a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia . Earlier studies of the supplement have produced conflicting results, and none has evaluated the benefits of saw palmetto in high doses.
In the current study, however, men took up to three times the standard dose of saw palmetto.
Now we know that even very high doses of saw palmetto make absolutely no difference, says co-author Gerald Andriole, MD, the Robert K. Royce Distinguished Professor and chief of urologic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Men should not spend their money on this herbal supplement as a way to reduce symptoms of enlarged prostate because it clearly does not work any better than a sugar pill.
The researchers found that among men who took saw palmetto, prostate problems improved slightly but not more than in men taking a placebo.