An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy, occurs in approximately 50 percent of men over the age of 60. Having an enlarged prostrate does not mean you have cancer, but it may be indicative of an increased risk. The growth of the prostrate is a natural progression of age and cannot be prevented, but some supplements may help with associative symptoms or help decrease excess growth or enlargement, but check with your doctor initially.
Saw Palmetto
Saw palmetto berries used to treat BPH, come from a palm tree grown mainly in the southeast United States. It is frequently used for enlarged prostrate, although it does not shrink the gland, only reduce the symptoms. Saw palmetto is used regularly in Europe, but not as often in America, as it is felt by physicians that there is not enough evidence to support saw palmetto's effectiveness. A 2000 article in "The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association," reviewed 58 clinical trials from numerous databases and concluded that saw palmetto effectively reduced symptoms caused by an enlarged prostrate. Saw palmetto should only be used under the supervision of your doctor.
Nettle Root
Stinging nettle has a long history of uses for various ailments. Flowers, leaves and roots are used in a variety of preparations. Nettle root, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, is used in Europe to reduce symptoms of BPH, such as frequent urination, the inability to empty the bladder and dripping after urination. Nettle root may retard the growth of the prostate cells, but not decrease the size of the prostate. How it works is yet unclear. Nettle root should not replace conventional treatments, and should be taken on the advise of your health care provider.
Pumpkin Seed
Most of us are familiar with the pumpkin. Few may know that the seeds from the pumpkin produce an oil that may help with prostate enlargement. In 2006 an article in the "Journal of Medicinal Food" described a study conducted on rats that had testosterone-induced hyperplasia of the prostate. A controlled group received vegetable oil and another were fed pumpkin seed oil. When examined, prostates in the pumpkin seed group were not as enlarged. This led the study to conclude that pumpkin seed oil may benefit BPH.
Cernilton
Cernilton is an herbal preparation made from the pollen of the rye grass, a common North American species of grass. In the 1998 "Cocharane Database of Systematic Reviews," researchers collected data on several studies involving over 400 men who received cernilton for enlarged prostate. The review concluded that rye pollen was well-tolerated, and overall reduced the symptoms of BPH, although it was suggested more studies needed to be conducted. Rye pollen may not be suitable for men suffering from allergies. Check with your doctor first.
References
- Rush University Medical Center: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia/"Enlarged Prostate"
- "The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association"; Benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with saw palmetto: a literature search and an experimental case study; JM McPartland, et al.; Feb.2000
- University of California: Saw Palmetto
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
- "Journal of Medicinal Food"; Inhibition of Testosterone-Induced Hyperplasia of the Prostate of Sprague-Dawley Rats by Pumpkin Seed Oil; M. Gossell-Williams, et al.; July 2006
- "Cocharane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Timothy Wilt, et al.; Mar.1998
