Saw Palmetto for BPH

~ {ts '2005-09-19 00:00:00'}

Saw Palmetto for BPH

" 40% men over 70 years old have BPH
" Phytotherapy: plant extracts have been used for BPH symptoms since Egypt 15th century.
" Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) berries are dried and the extract is used in BPH since 1700s by Native Americans.
" Mechanism of action is not known. Believe it has antiandrogen effects as well as cholesterol lowering properties.
" Metanalysis studies show Saw Palmetto works and in some studies is as good as finasteride (a Rx drug).
" Side effects: 1.1% Erectile dysfunction, GI problems 1.3%: both are comparable to placebo though so not a true side effect.
" Udamin SP: Saw Palmetto 320mg with lycopene, folate, B12, and Vitamin E
o Vitamin E is being studied to see if prevents prostate cancer (J Natl Cancer Inst. 2000)

By John S. Hong, MD, MS

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