Saw
Palmetto Phytosterols May Ease Symptoms
of Benign Prostate Enlargement.
Saw Palmetto is a common remedy
for easing urinary flow problems
associated with benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH), or enlarged prostate,
the herb is particularly rich in
phytosterols(fatty acids),which
are generally agreed to be the chief
active ingredient. In a recent review
article, researchers from the University
of Connecticut discussed seven studies
involving either Saw Palmetto or
phytosterols, which demonstrated
that using the herb or phytosterols
usually resulted in fewer urinary
symptoms and improved quality of
life!
Saw Palmetto Treatment Favours Sexual
Function
Double-blind, comparative studies
have shown that Saw Palmetto does
not have any negative effects on
sexual function: one study compared
Saw Palmetto with the drug finasteride(proscar)which
found that while prostate reduction
size was superior with proscar (18%
vs. 6% reduction),both treatments
were well tolerated, but sexual
function scores were better in the
Saw Palmetto group. Another compared
Saw Palmetto with the drug tamsulosin(flomax).
The Saw Palmetto users experienced
a decrease in prostate volume, whilst
the fiomax users had a slight increase
and the drug caused a higher incidence
of ejaculation dysfunction.
References:
1.Coleman c1,et al "the effects
of phytosterols on quality of life
in the treatment of BPH" pharmacotherapy,2002,22:1426-1432.
2.Boyle P, et a1"prostate volume
predicts outcome of treatment of
BPH with finasteride:meta-analysis
of randomized clinical trials. Urology.
1996,48:398-405.
3. Debruyne F."phytotherapy(LSESR)
vs. tamsulosin for treatment of
lower urinary tract symptoms secondary
to BPH: a randomized comparative
study. Presented at American Urological
Assoc, June 2001, Anaheeim,California.
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