You might have read about some nutrition studies recently in the newspaper. I am posting this information in hopes it will help clarify the issues brought up by the studies. The following information was put out by Dr.Jamie McManus, Chairman, Medical Affairs, Health Sciences & Education, Shaklee Corporation.
The saw palmetto study tested men who had moderate to severe prostatic hyperplasia and tested the saw palmetto versus a placebo. At one year, there was no significant difference between the two groups, which flies in the face of at least 21 other studies involving thousands of men that showed significant improvement using saw palmetto. The reason for this discrepancy is that these previous studies have determined that it is men with mild to moderate prostatic hypertrophy who will benefit from saw palmetto and this study clearly chose a group with far more significant pathology that may need a higher dose of saw palmetto to see a response. The study did not test a higher dose, just the dosage that is known to be beneficial (21 studies) for mild to moderate symptoms.
So, the bottom line is that this study chose a population that we would not have expected to see significant improvement in symptoms, and it does not negate the well established scientifically founded acceptance of saw palmetto as a reasonable choice for men with mild to moderate prostatic hyperplasia (also known as BPH).
A three-year preliminary study in Germany found that 160 mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice daily reduced nighttime urination in 73% of patients and improved urinary flow rates significantly. In a double-blind trial at various sites in Europe, 160 mg of saw palmetto extract taken twice per day treated BPH as effectively as finasteride without side effects, such as loss of libido. A one-year dose-comparison study found that 320 mg once per day was as effective as 160 mg twice per day in the treatment of BPH. A review of all available double-blind trials has concluded that saw palmetto is effective for treatment of men with BPH and is just as effective as, with fewer side effects than, the drug finasteride.
