A saw Palmetto drug: scientists say it is useless in treating prostate problems

A largely held belief about the efficacy of saw palmetto drugs as a natural remedy for benign prostate hyperplasia has been trashed as fiction.

Several scientific studies have shown that the herb, which exists in many forms on the shelves, has no effect whatsoever on the prostate. Scientists also said the drug has no effect on other health problems, such as hair loss, hormone problems, low sex drive, pelvic pain, prostate cancer, low sperm count and urinary problems

US National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that there is no scientific evidence to suggest that saw palmetto is effective for any health condition, despite its popularity as a herbal remedy.

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older people and sets in from middle age. The prostate grows bigger and impedes the flow of urine. It causes urinary tract and bladder symptoms that gradually get worse over time.

Saw palmetto, or Serenoa repens, is a plant that people erroneously use as a natural remedy.

Native Americans used to take the herb to enhance fertility and treat urinary tract issues. According to The New England Journal of Medicine, over 2 million men in the United States use the herb to treat BPH and other prostate issues. However, there is limited research to support its efficacy.

But according to scientists, there is a lack of evidence for the benefits of saw palmetto for BPH.

Saw palmetto, according to its protagonists, seems to slow down the production of a particular enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, this enzyme converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the prostate gland. Although DHT plays a vital role in the development of the prostate, it can also lead to prostate issues such as BPH.

Many people believe that taking saw palmetto will reduce their BPH symptoms by blocking DHT production.

However, there is a lack of evidence to confirm that saw palmetto benefits prostate health.

Although some early research suggested that saw palmetto could benefit people with BPH symptoms, later studies contradicted these findings.

A study published in 2011 followed the progress of 306 men with moderate BPH symptoms over 72 weeks as they took either saw palmetto fruit extracts or a placebo. The results showed that there was no significant difference in the results between the two groups.

Even when the participants took a triple dose of saw palmetto instead of the standard dose of 320 milligrams (mg) common in earlier research, the participants experienced no significant benefits.

These findings support 2006 research, which found no improvement in BPH symptoms after 12 months of saw palmetto use.

A 2012 Cochrane review of 32 randomized controlled trials involving 5,666 men further disputes the efficacy of saw palmetto in treating symptoms of BPH. The review states that saw palmetto does not improve excessive night-time urination (nocturia), peak urine flow, or other urinary symptoms when compared with a placebo.

Scientists advise that there are more effective treatments for these problems. It is always best to speak to a doctor before taking any herbal medication or supplement.

If anyone still wants to stick to saw palmetto, he should watch out for some side effects, which are relatively few. It may occasionally lead to mild symptoms such as digestive upset, bad breath, or headaches.

Even when people take high doses of up to 960 mg, studies show that saw palmetto does not typically trigger severe reactions.

However, there are rare cases of people associating saw palmetto with their liver problems so anyone who has or had liver disease should avoid taking it.

*This article was adapted from Medical News Today