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Q: My husband wants to take saw palmetto for his prostate. Is it safe? A: Saw palmetto, an extract of a fan palm, is used to nourish and strengthen the prostate. It has been shown in clinical studies to effectively and safely treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, the small, doughnut-shaped sex gland located beneath the urinary bladder in men. BPH is largely attributed to hormonal changes associated with aging, as roughly half of men over the age of fifty experience this condition. The prostate encircles the urethra, which is the outlet for both urine and prostatic fluid. Changes in urinary habits such as increased frequency, urgency, retention, burning, blood or pain may indicate BPH. However, these symptoms may also indicate a tumour, infection or diabetes. Please see a medical doctor for a thorough examination and diagnosis before taking any supplements. Also be sure to tell the doctor everything you are taking, be it medical, recreational or natural. Proscar (finasteride) was the first FDA approved drug for treating BPH. It works by preventing the production of male hormones that stimulate prostatic growth. Although there has been much attention for this drug, patients need to be on it for at least six months before any improvement can be expected. Possible side effects of finasteride are loss of libido and impotence. Over twenty double-blind placebo controlled studies have demonstrated that saw palmetto extract is superior to Proscar, as it is very effective in relieving all the major symptoms of BPH without any side effects. In Italy, saw palmetto is used in fifty percent of BPH cases and in Germany it is used in ninety percent of BPH cases. It is frustrating when a natural substance is found to be as effective as drugs without side effects, is produced at a fraction of the cost, and yet it is dismissed because it has not undergone extensive research. It is well known that the way the pharmaceutical companies recoup the cost of their research is by establishing patents on their discoveries. Saw palmetto is a natural substance so it cannot be patented. If your husband wants to take a natural supplement, consult a qualified practitioner, and buy your supplements from a reputable company. © Adrianna Holman Registered Homeopath (RSHom) |
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