From The Spring 2002 Issue of Nutrition Science News

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 new 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 placebo or 160 mg twice/day saw palmetto (Soloray, supplied by Nutraceutical Corp. of Salt Lake City, Utah) standardized between 85 percent and 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.

Researchers concluded that more studies are needed to determine the mechanism that makes saw palmetto effective in treating urinary tract conditions in men.

Although saw palmetto is one of the 10 best-selling herbal remedies, many physicians remain skeptical, partly because it has not been tested against standard medications for enlarged prostate. However, researchers are hopeful that this study will enable physicians to prescribe it to patients for symptomatic benefits.

—Urology 2001 Dec;58(6):960-4.