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Saw
Palmetto (Serenoa Repens) is a herb that grows naturally in the
South-eastern United States – primarily in Georgia, Florida and
Mississippi. It is a small palm, normally reaching a height of around
2-4 meters. The olive sized berries of the Saw Palmetto plant contain
a number of beneficial compounds. These include free fatty acids
(oleic
acid, lauric acid, myristic acid and palmitic acid), phytosterols
(beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and cycloartenol), free
fatty alcohols and monoglycerides. The
berries, when ripe, turn bluish-black and are dried for medicinal
use. The
fatty acids and sterols which are derived from the berries have been
scientifically shown to be beneficial to the health and healing of
the prostate. Saw Palmetto is a recognized remedy
for benign enlargement of the prostate gland.
Two
obvious advantages of saw palmetto over conventional drug treatment
are that the herb carries with it no side effects and that it does
not change protein specific antigen (PSA) levels.
A 1996 double-blind study by Carraro,
et al followed 1098 as they were given either Saw Palmetto or the
drug Proscar over a period of 6 months (no placebo group was
involved). Treatments were equally effective. However it was noted
that, while Proscar lowered prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels
and caused a slightly lowered libido, Saw Palmetto had neither of
these side effects.
(Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al.
Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon) with finasteride in the
treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international
study of 1,098 patients. Prostate. 1996;29:231–240).
A 2001 study conducted by Marks, et al
used needle biopsies to extract prostate tissue from patients before
and after treatment with either Saw Palmetto or a placebo. After six
months of treatment the Saw Palmetto group averaged a 32% decrease in
DHT. No statistically significant changes in DHT were noted in the
placebo group.
(Marks LS, Hess DL, DoreFJ. Tissue
Effects of Saw Palmetto and Finasteride: Use of Biopsy Cores for In
Situ Quantification of Prostatic Androgens. Urology
2001;57:999-1005).
The
recommended daily dose of Saw Palmetto is 320 mg standardized to
85-95% of fatty acids and sterols. If taking Saw Palmetto in the
crushed berry form, take 1-2 grams per day. Do not take Saw Palmetto
as a tea as the medicinal oils will not dissolve in water. No time
limit for the use of Saw Palmetto has been established.
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