Benign Prostate
Enlargement
Prostate Health Supplements
Prostate Problems Home Remedies
Men are notoriously leery of doctors, especially when it comes to
"sensitive" topics like the prostate. So when over-the-counter
herbal products claim to "promote prostate health," many men will
listen. Over two million men in the United States use saw palmetto
for prostate problems, an herb that, among other things, has the
reputation of easing the symptoms associated with an enlarged
prostate (also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH).
Thousands of men have also sought out herbal remedies for prostate
cancer.
Here's a look at the latest information on these herbal prostate
remedies.
Saw palmetto
This herb, derived from the berry of the American dwarf palm tree,
has been used to treat prostate problems since the 1800s. Today, saw
palmetto is especially popular among men who experience the weak
urine flow and frequent urination symptomatic of an enlarged
prostate. According to a survey in Consumer Reports, more than half
of all men who tried the remedy said it eased their symptoms "a lot"
or "somewhat."
What does science have to say? Some research has found that saw
palmetto really does seem to ease urinary symptoms. A study of 85
men published in the December 2001 issue of the journal Urology
found that men who took capsules of saw palmetto for six months
reported slightly fewer symptoms than men who took a placebo (a
"dummy" pill). Other studies, however, have found that saw palmetto
and placebos work about equally well.
According to an editorial that accompanied the Urology report, it's
still possible that saw palmetto is, in fact, simply an
extra-powerful placebo. Perhaps it works because men expect it to
work. A study published in 2006 found that saw palmetto had no
effect on enlarged prostates, adding more weight to the idea that
the benefits of saw palmetto are all in the mind.
If you do decide to try saw palmetto, here are a few things to keep
in mind. First of all, you should stick with the generally
recommended dose of 320 milligrams each day. The herb is safe at
this level, and there's no evidence that an extra-large dose will
work any better. Also, be aware that herbal supplements tend to vary
widely in their purity and potency. You can help protect yourself by
choosing products marked with "NF," the seal of the United States
Pharmacopeia and National Formulary. Finally, saw palmetto is no
substitute for a doctor. If you have urinary problems, get a
thorough checkup and talk to your doctor before trying saw palmetto
or any other herbal product.
PC-SPES
The "PC" stands for prostate cancer, and "spes" is Latin for "hope."
PC-SPES had been shown to shrink prostate tumors, but it was taken
off the market in February 2002 after it was found to contain traces
of the prescription drug warfarin (a blood thinner). Subsequent
tests found additional traces of strong drugs in PC-SPES, including
an artificial form of estrogen and a pain reliever called
indomethacin that may act against tumor cells.
For a time, it looked as though the product might actually live up
to its name. Several scientific studies found the combination of
herbs -- including saw palmetto, panax pseudo-ginseng, and six
assorted Chinese herbs -- to be an effective treatment for prostate
cancer. But even before the product was recalled, there was cause
for concern.
Like some already established prostate cancer treatments, PC-SPES
cut off supplies of the male hormone testosterone, a major source of
fuel for prostate cancer. According to a report in the August 2001
issue of Urology, the concoction can reduce testosterone
dramatically. For patients with prostate cancer, this drastic
measure has real benefits. As the level of testosterone plummets,
the tumor stops growing (at least temporarily) and may even begin to
shrink.
Of course, anything that reduces testosterone to that level is bound
to cause side effects. Nipple tenderness and swelling in the breasts
are very common. About one-third of patients had diarrhea, and
another one-third had cramps in the legs or muscles. Blood clots in
the legs or lungs were the most serious potential side effect, but
they were also very rare.
In summary, the supposed herbal supplement PC-SPES carried all of
the punch of a prescription drug -- because it actually contained
drugs. The supplement ran afoul of authorities only after tests by
the California Department of Health Services turned up traces of
warfarin, a prescription blood thinner that can raise the risk of
serious bleeding. BotanicLab Inc., the company that distributed PC-SPES,
voluntarily recalled the product nationwide. The California
Department of Health Services urged anyone using PC-SPES to stop
taking the product immediately and seek medical advice.
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