SAW PALMETTO SIDE EFFECTS AND BENEFITS

What causes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)?

It is thought that the most likely mechanisms include a reduction in the amount of
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in prostate tissue, inhibition of the binding ability of
DHT to androgen receptors in prostate cells, and the anti-estrogenic action in
prostate tissue. Not long ago a study was performed to validate these theories. A
study using 150 men who were clinically diagnosed with Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia and complaints of prostatic symptoms demonstrated that the
long-term efficacy and tolerability of a standardized extract of Saw Palmetto could
act as a first-line medical therapy for uncomplicated symptomatic Benign Prostatic
Hyperplasia. The natural treatment of this controllable form of pre cancerous
pathology is one that nature has offered us a treatment for, and that science has
validated.

What benefits does Saw Palmetto have on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
(BHP)?

The botanical name for Saw Palmetto is Serenoa Repens, while its genus / species
name is Serenoa repens.

Its benefits can be traced back centuries where the aborigines of Florida
depended upon the berries as a staple food item and was included in the Indian
medicine mans array of healing herbs. In 1898, Edwin Hale, M.D. described its
medicinal value for relief of prostate gland swelling in his book-Saw Palmetto.

Recently an extract derived from the Saw Palmetto berry has been used to treat
male genitourinary problems. It grows naturally in the southeast United States,
and has been used as a folk remedy for this issue for hundreds of years. In recent
years science has confirmed that Saw Palmetto is an effective herbal remedy in
helping to treat the common symptoms associated with and enlarged prostate
gland. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common occurrence in almost all
men over 50.

The prostate gland is a walnut shaped gland that surrounds the urethra like a
doughnut and produces the seminal fluid that carries the sperm. When the
prostate gland enlarges, it tends to compress the urethra, narrowing its diameter
and creating symptoms such as restrictive urine flow. Other annoying symptoms
of an enlarged prostate are frequent and sometimes painful urination, nighttime
urination (nocturia), difficulty in starting and stopping urination, and a feeling that
the bladder is not really empty.

If a man experiences symptoms, they should see a physician who will likely do a
simple PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test, an excellent screening test for
prostate cancer. With the prevalence of prostate cancer, the American Cancer
Society recommends that this test be performed annually for any man over 40.
And in addition to this, many natural and allopathic physicians will recommend
that use of Saw Palmetto because it has been shown in clinical studies to have
beneficial effects in reducing the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Saw Palmetto Extract can be standardized to 85-86% fatty acids and biologically
active sterols. These are believed to be the active components in Saw Palmetto
that may nutritionally support healthy prostate and urinary function. Extract
usually contains oleic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid, plant sterols
(beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and cycloartenol), free fatty alcohols
and monoglycerides.

SAW PALMETTO SIDE EFFECTS

What side effects does saw palmetto have? Is it safe? Drs Gordon AE and
Shaughnessy AF at Harrisburg Family Practice Residency Herrisburg, Pennsylvania,
commented that saw palmetto is an herbal product used in the treatment of
symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Studies have demonstrated its
effectiveness in reducing symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Saw palmetto appears to be as effective as finasteride, with a better tolerance.
There is no known drug interactions with saw palmetto and the side effects
reported are minor and rare. [1]

Wilt T and co-workers at General Internal Medicine, Minneapolis, have also done a
systematic review on the effects of serenoa repens in the treatment of irritative
lower urinary tract symptoms consistent with BPH. Totally, they have reviewed 21
randomized trials, lasting 4-48 weeks. They concluded that the side effects ue to
Serenoa repens were mild and infrequent. However, the long term effectiveness,
safety and ability to prevent BPH complications are unknown. [3]

In a study of 155 men with clinically diagnosed BPH, the efficacy and tolerability of
Permixon 160 mg (twice daily for 2 years) were assessed. Permixon is the
lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens. At the end of the study and at each
evaluation, maximum urinary flow improved significantly. Prostate size decreased.
Sexual function remained stable during the first year of treatment and improved
significantly during the second year. 10 adverse events were reported in nine
patients, but none related to treatment (?). The researchers claimed that these
data demonstrate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of Permixon. [2]

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE URINATION OR OTHER
HEALTH PROBLEM, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHT
RESERVED 2005 zhion inc. NO PART OF THIS ARTICLE TRANSFERRED TO OTHER WEBSITES
OR OTHER TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS ARE ALLOWED.

REFERENCE [1] Saw Palmetto for Prostate Disorders, Am Fam Physician 2003 Mar
15;67(6):1281-3.[2] Pytel YA et al Long-term clinical and biologic effects of the lipidosterolic
extract of serenoa repens in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Adv.
Ther. 2002 Nov-Dec; 19(6):297-306. [3] Serenoa repens for benign prostatic hyperplasia,
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;(3): CD001423.

Saw Palmetto Side Effects and Health Benefits
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) zhion@zhion.com July19 2008