Saw Palmetto Articles
Saw Palmetto Reduces Prostate Problems
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Saw Palmetto Reduces Prostate Problems
Men with lower urinary tract problems, such as an enlarged prostate, may benefit from the herbal remedy saw palmetto (Serona repens), according to a study by researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center and the Dekalb Clinic, both in Illinois.
In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, researchers initially enrolled 94 men, 45 years and older, who were diagnosed with urinary retention. After a one-month placebo run-in period, researchers randomly selected 85 men to take a placebo or 160 mg twice/day saw palmetto standardized to 85 percent to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols for six months.
Using the International Prostate Symptom Score, the mean score decreased 4.4 points in the saw palmetto group compared with 2.2 points in the placebo group. Although saw palmetto did not significantly improve sexual function or quality of life in this study, it did increase urinary flow rate by 1.0 mL/s compared with 1.4 mL/s in the placebo group.
Researchers concluded that more studies are needed to determine the mechanism that makes saw palmetto effective in treating urinary tract conditions in men.
Urology 2001 Dec;58(6):960-4
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