BPH, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, is the medical term for an enlarged prostate. BPH is an age-related condition that affects a majority of men over seventy, often leading to urinary tract problems. Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, has been the herbal supplement most often studied and recommended for BPH. Although good results are often reported with using saw palmetto, a knowledgeable healthcare provider should be consulted to assess BPH symptoms before the starting of any treatment regime.
BPH and the Prostate Gland
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces most of the fluid that goes into semen. Its muscle fibers also assist in the process of urination. Problems occur when the cells of the gland enlarge and develop into fibrous nodules, usually as a consequence of aging. Although BPH is not a life-threatening condition, it may eventually cause blockages in the urinary tract leading to an increased risk of kidney damage and urinary tract infections.
How It Works
Saw palmetto is thought to reduce inflammation in the prostate gland and to inhibit the hormones that control its growth. It has been used extensively in Europe and it is an approved over-the-counter remedy for BPH in Germany. In order to address the differing aspects of BPH causes and symptoms, many European doctors prescribe herbal formulations which combine saw palmetto with other urinary tract herbs such as pygeum and stinging nettles.
Lack of Conclusiveness
Mainstream medicine recommendations for the use of saw palmetto have been held back in the United States by a lack of conclusive studies. In the report on a study led by doctor Stephen Bent and published in the February 9, 2006 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine," researchers concluded that saw palmetto did not improve the symptoms of BPH any more than could be accounted for by the placebo effect.
Possible Effectiveness
On the other hand, many studies point to a preponderance of evidence regarding saw palmetto's usefulness. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, which evaluates effectiveness based on scientific evidence, rates saw palmetto in the "possibly effective " category for treating BPH. Furthermore, researchers at the Minneapolis Center for Chronic Diseases Outcomes Research reviewed herbs used to treat BPH in the December 2000 issue of Public Health Nutrition. They found significant evidence indicating the helpful qualities of saw palmetto.
Further Conclusions
In an international study of 1,098 patients published in the 1996 "Prostate," saw palmetto even worked as well as prescription medications for BPH such as finasteride. In addition, researchers Gerber and Fitzpatrick reviewed a number of clinical trials in the 2004 issue of the "British Journal of Urology International." They concluded that saw palmetto appears to significantly reduce BPH symptoms. Beckman and Mynderse also affirmed the herb's effectiveness in their article for the 2005 "Mayo Clinic Proceedings Journal."
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