Imagine having to be awakened from a deep and sound sleep multiple times at night to use the bathroom. Well, this unfortunate routine happens to millions of men over the age of 40, or in some cases, as early as the age of 30, due to declining prostate health. As men age, they are at risk of developing prostate disease. One disease they may encounter as they age is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Even though it is less often discussed than prostate cancer, it affects more men. While conventional treatments are the traditional methods of treatment for the disease, less expensive and safer holistic options are also available to treat the disease. One promising holistic treatment option for BPH is the herb saw palmetto Serenoa repens, which has shown promising results in treating the disease.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Breakdown
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a disease characterized by an enlargement of the male prostate. It contributes to the cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in 25% of men over the age of 30 in the U.S. The high percentage of men affected by the disease shows that there are millions of men with a reduced quality of life from urinary problems such as frequent urination, especially at night (nocturia), incontinence, and the inability to void completely (Arnold et al., 2023). The discomforting issues that BPH has on daily living for some men with the disease have them seeking medical attention and relief from conventional medications that, unfortunately, carry the risks of side effects. Because of the side effects of conventional medications for BPH, others have turned to alternative treatments to get relief from the symptoms of the disease. But are there herbal treatments available that have shown to be as effective in treating BPH?
Saw Palmetto's Popular Beginnings
There is considerable information available regarding alternative treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia. One herbal treatment for BPH that has increased in popularity worldwide is saw palmetto Serenoa repens. Saw Palmetto is a small palm tree native to the Caribbean Islands and the southeastern parts of the U.S. The part of the plant used is the berries that, when fully ripened, resemble blueberries but are dark purple. Saw palmetto berries were used by Native Americans in the Spanish territory of Florida as early as the 1700s to treat conditions like testicular atrophy, erectile dysfunction, and prostate swelling and inflammation. Since the 1800s, saw palmetto has been used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (Agabiaka, 2009). As evidenced by its history, saw palmetto has been used extensively as a successful treatment for several disorders affecting the male reproductive system, most notably BPH.
Saw Palmetto as A Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Today, saw palmetto has become the most widely used herbal treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia worldwide, particularly in Italy and Germany, where saw palmetto is used in 50 (Italy) and 90 (Germany) percent of treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the question one may ask is, does utilization and popularity equate to effectiveness? In a meta-analysis that reviewed 21 case trials of men ages 40 to 88 with mild to moderate symptoms of BPH, 13 of the studies reported improvements in BPH symptoms using saw palmetto as a treatment. Gordon and Shaughnessy (2003) recounted that saw palmetto outperformed a placebo in the 13 trials that recorded saw palmetto as an effective treatment. The improvements during the case trials included symptom scores, individual symptoms, and urine flow measures. Additionally, compared to a placebo, patients and doctors were more likely to report symptom improvement with nocturia by 25% when saw palmetto was used. These positive results reported by doctors and, more importantly, the patient, provide
credibility to the effectiveness of saw palmetto when used as a treatment for BPH. The improvements in symptoms, particularly urine flow and nocturia, two of the more common symptoms of the disease, should encourage increased use of saw palmetto as a natural treatment. Other studies have found that Saw Palmetto helps to improve lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by BPH. Furthermore, when Saw Palmetto was compared to the regularly prescribed BPH medications tamsulosin and finasteride in randomized control trials, saw palmetto was as effective (Sebu et al., 2002). The counterargument most often made by those who oppose holistic treatments is that they are ineffective or unproven. However, from the case studies reviewed and Italy and Germany's progressive stance to use Saw Palmetto as a treatment for BPH, saw palmetto has proven to be an effective alternative treatment. Still, some suggest that Saw Palmetto is most effective with mild to moderate symptoms of BPH (Nickel et al., 2022). And until more random control trials are conducted to determine the effectiveness of saw palmetto in the advanced stages of the disease, Nickel et al. (2022) make a valid point.
Saw Palmetto Safety Profiles
The remaining question is the safety of saw palmetto. What are the side effects, if any? In forty articles reviewed by Agbabiaka et al., 2009, they advise that saw palmetto is highly tolerable and that most side effects were mild. They state that current reports show that Saw Palmetto is generally well-accepted by users and is not linked to significant adverse events and that the most documented adverse events, which included rhinitis, headache, decreased libido, diarrhea, nausea, and exhaustion, were modest, rare, and easily remedied. The absence of risky side effects that one may experience when taking conventional medications to treat BPH will find satisfaction when using saw palmetto as an alternative treatment. The safety profiles provided in the case studies have shown that Saw Palmetto is a more moderate option.
Committing To an Alternative Option For BPH
Men who are searching for an alternative treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may find satisfaction in saw palmetto. Saw Palmetto has gone through the rigors of random control trials (RCTs) and numerous case studies to determine its efficacy for treating the disease, and most of the studies have concluded that Saw Palmetto is an effective alternative for BPH. If you belong to the 25% of men who have been diagnosed with BPH and are worried about the potent side effects of using traditional pharmaceuticals to treat the condition, consider the possibility of using Saw Palmetto as an alternative. The standard recommendation for using saw palmetto is 350 mg of saw palmetto extract, or my preferred method, 40 drops of saw palmetto tincture in water or your favorite juice 1 to 3 times a day. If the health benefits of saw palmetto interest you, you can learn more about herbs as a treatment for BPH by visiting holistic websites such as WebMD, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, or Tonic Tinctures or using key search terms such as "saw palmetto" and "benign prostatic hyperplasia".
References:
Agbabiaka, T. B., Pittler, M. H., Wider, B., & Ernst, E. (2009). Serenoa repens (saw
palmetto): a systematic review of adverse events. Drug Safety, 32(8), 637-647.
Gordon, A. E., & Shaughnessy, A. F. (2003). Saw Palmetto for prostate disorders.
American Family Physician, 67(6), 1281-1283.
Nickel, J.C., Chughtai, B., Nunzio, C. D., Brahmbhatt, J., Shore, N., Te, A. E., & Djavan, B.
(2022). Rethinking the role of saw palmetto extract for men with lower urinary tract symptoms in North America. Uro. https:// doi.org/10.3390/uro2030 017
Sebu, S. N. S., Dr., Siwach, D., Hasan, A., Mittal, P., Dr., & Paul, P., Dr. (2022). Systematic
Review on Safety and Efficacy of Saw Palmetto as a Health Supplement for Prostate Health in Adult Males. Journal of Current Medical Research and Opinion. https://doi.org/10.52845/CMR0/2022/5-6-3
Swiss Bioenergetics (2024). Natural Ways to Treat an Enlarged Prostate. Swiss
Bioenergetics. Retrieved July 14, 2024, from https://www.swissbioenergetics.com/single-post/natural-ways-to-treat-an-enlarged-prostate [Photo]
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