Here’s some health advice for men suffering from benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH): try taking a little saw palmetto. In the past few years, this herb has come under the scrutiny of medical scientists who are determined to debunk its reputation as an alternative remedy for BPH. While many studies have been inconclusive as to saw palmetto’s health benefits, a recent Italian study finds the herb definitely has a positive impact on the symptoms of those suffering from BPH.
The Italian research team evaluated all the urological symptoms of patients affected by BPH. The study was conducted in eight different centers throughout Italy from September 2010 to November 2011. Data and information from 298 men with an average age of 63 years were recruited for the trial. The patients were all affected by non-acute urinary symptoms caused by BPH and therapy with saw palmetto alone or in combination with an alpha-blocker.
The researchers found that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels showed a stabilizing or downward trend. PSA is a protein that the prostate gland produces; measuring these levels helps indicate potential problems, such as BPH. The percentage of patients with a PSA below the level of four nanograms per milliliter was lower at the end of the study. The overall changes in urine flow were similar in both treatment groups. The mean medium flow and the mean maximum flow had a slight increase during the course of the study. There was also a substantial decrease in the amount of patients presenting severe prostatic symptoms.
As far as this study is concerned, it looks like saw palmetto could help in treating the side effects of BPH. Look for it at your local natural pharmacy.
Read more about the safety and correct dosage of saw palmetto.
Sources for Today’s Articles:
Another Health Breakthrough for Saw Palmetto
Betaccini, A., et al., “Observational database serenoa repens (DOSSER): overview, analysis and results. A multicentric SIUrO (Italian Society of Oncological Urology) project,” Arch Ital Urol Androl. September 2012; 84(3): 117–22.