What is Saw Palmetto?
It's a weed
Growing wild throughout Florida and other sub-tropical parts of the world, Saw Palmetto has been looked at as an annoying weed. While the active extract serenoa repens has been used in Europe
for many years, here in the United States it was largely neglected. Saw Palmetto has become so popular that just this past year the state of Florida has declared it an agricultural crop.
Recently medical science has begun to look at the world outside of the laboratory and discover that many natural products offer alternative therapies that can be more beneficial then the standard synthetic medication.
The primary use of Saw Palmetto is to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Most men
begin to experience an enlarged prostate after the age of 50. Most men do not feel any symptoms until the condition has
been with them for a while. This is also true of cancerous problems associated with the prostate gland. An annual exam
to check for prostate problems is a must for all men over 40. 1
BPH and nocturnal urination
BPH is the cause of many problems in men but perhaps the most irritating is frequent nocturnal urination. This is
caused by an enlarged prostate gland pushing on the bladder. The prostate becomes enlarged due to the presence of
increased amounts of Dihydro Testosterone. Saw Palmetto is very effective at reducing the conversion of Testosterone to Dihydro Testosterone.
Saw Palmetto does not have any effect on prostate specific antigen (PSA). This is important since this test
is used as a screening measure for prostate cancer. Since BPH and cancer are two distinct conditions, men
who have BPH still need to have an annual checkup for cancer.
Recent clinical studies have found that over 80% of men who use Saw Palmetto report an increased quality
of life.1 They also report seeing results in about 30 days. The most common prescription medication for
BPH, Proscar (finasterdine), takes at least 6 months to begin working.
Which is for me?
There are many forms of Saw Palmetto available in the United States. The most effective dose
is 320mg per day containing a standardized extract of 85-95% of the fatty esterols of serenoa repens. Most
companies market their capsules in a 160mg strength with anywhere from 45% to 95% of the fatty esterols.
We recommend Saw Palmetto Power 320 by Nature's Herbs because it contains the correct amount of the active alkaloid in Saw Palmetto. The once a day
dose makes compliance simple. Click here to buy Saw Palmetto Power 320.
Other Natural Remedies
Cernilton
This is a pollen extract that is an alternative to Saw Palmetto and has been used in Europe for the past 35 years
to treat BPH. This natural product appears to work via a different mechanism then Saw Palmetto.
Cernilton appears to exert both an anti inflammatory action and improve bladder contractility while
relaxing the urethra. This product also contains a substance which inhibits prostate cell growth.2
The usual dose is 63mg of pollen extract twice a day.
Pygeum Africanum
Pygeum is an evergreen tree that is native to Africa. The major active components of Pygeum are fatty
acids and sterols. Although these are the same chemical groups found in Saw Palmetto they are unique
compounds. Pygeum Africanum does have the same general mechanism of action as Saw Palmetto - blocking
conversion of Testosterone to Dihydro Testosterone. Some men who experience treatment failure with
Saw Palmetto have great success with Pygeum Africanum.
Almost all brands are the same but you should use a standardized extract containing 14% triterpenes. The doseage should be 50 to 100mg per day.
Stinging Nettle
Also known as Urtica dioca, Stinging Nettle has the least amount of scientific evidence supporting its use. Most
reports are anecdotal. It is useful as an alternative natural therapy. The dose is 300mg to 600mg per day.
Diet
There is no direct study of the diet and BPH, therefore the following recommendations are purely
speculative. Anecdotal evidence points to reduction of cholesterol, limited or no alcohol intake
(especially beer), high protein and high essential fatty acids as being beneficial to patients with BPH. Of
course these dietary recommendations are good for men with healthy prostates as well so this may simply be
a good lifestyle choice. Some herbalists recommend consuming a 1/4 cup of pumpkin or sunflower seeds daily
to improve prostate health.
There have been indications that zinc supplementation may help BPH as well.3
This would be 25 to 50mg per day. Since the primary site of zinc storage in men is the prostate gland this
suggestion make great sense. Diets rich in soybean products are also powerful inhibitors of
5-alpha-reductase the enzyme responsible for Testosterone conversion.
Summary
Modern medicine has been able to control many problems which affect human society. Until recently the
problems associated with a benign enlarged prostate were simply considered one of the annoyances of
getting older. With the introduction of Proscar® about 5 years ago, medical science had its first
synthetic treatment for BPH.
Saw Palmetto and the other natural remedies mentioned in this column have
been around since before Columbus discovered America. The Seminole Indians in Florida had been using Saw
Palmetto when they meet the Spanish Conquistadors. The good part of having a synthetic remedy available is
the marketing campaign that a drug company will use to raise awareness about its product and the condition
for which it is indicated.
While all cases of BPH should be monitored and treated by a physician, natural products can play a
welcome and beneficial role in the suppression of this disease.
If you have comments, suggestions or questions, please email us.
Footnotes
1. J.Braeckman,"The Extract of Serenoa Repens in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. A Multicenter Open Study."Curr Ther Res 55(1994): 776-85.
2. K.Habib Fouad et al. "Identification of a Prostate Inhibitory Substance in a Pollen Extract", Prostate,26(1995): 133-139.
3. M. Fahim, Z. Fahim, R. Der.& J. Harman, "Zinc Treatment for the Reduction of Hyperplasia of the Prostate." Fed Proc 35 (1976): 361.