Nearly all men experience prostate enlargement as they age, although only around 10 percent experience symptoms significant enough to require treatment, Andrea Gordon, M.D., reports in the March 2003 issue of "American Family Physician." Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the most common problem associated with an enlarged prostate, causes frequent nighttime urination, difficulty urinating or trouble controlling the urine stream. Alternative practitioners often recommend and prescribe saw palmetto, the most commonly used herbal supplement for prostate problems. Dosage may vary among practitioners, but many recommend 160 mg twice a day. Consult with your doctor before taking saw palmetto to treat prostate problems.
Use
The saw palmetto berry contains fatty acids and sterols. Saw palmetto appears to reduce male hormone production and may also reduce inflammation. In Germany, where herbal use for medical conditions is accepted practice, 90 percent of medical practitioners treat BPH with saw palmetto, according to Dr. Gordon. Volatile oils from the berry make up 80 to 90 percent of the supplement. Studies on the effectiveness of saw palmetto have had mixed results.
Dosages
While practitioners commonly advise a dosage of one 160 mg capsule twice per day, 160 mg once per day may be equally effective, MayoClinic.com reports. Taking 480 mg does not increase the effectiveness of the supplement, according to Dr. Gordon. Other ways to take saw palmetto include 5 to 6 ml of fluid extract from berry pulp or 1 to 2 g of ground dried or whole berries. You may drink teas made from 2 tsp. of dried berries in 24 oz. of water simmered until half the liquid evaporates; take 4 oz. three times a day. However, teas made from saw palmetto may have decreased effectiveness since the active ingredients may not dissolve in water.
Side Effects
Common side effects of saw palmetto include abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, which may improve if you take the supplement with food. Other potential complaints include headache, dizziness or depression. Increased bleeding may occur. One supplement sold for prostate health now removed from the market contained warfarin, a prescription blood thinner, in addition to other herbs. Buy saw palmetto only from established supplement manufacturers or supplements recommended by your health practitioner.
Caveats
If you have symptoms of BPH, see your doctor before starting saw palmetto supplements to treat symptoms, since the symptoms of BPH could also be a sign of prostate cancer. Theoretically, saw palmetto could lower your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels; higher readings are a marker for a prostate cancer diagnosis. Low PSA levels could suggest to your doctor that you don't have prostate cancer when you actually do. Always inform your doctor before taking supplements; he may want to draw a baseline PSA level before you start treatment.
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