Some herbs could effectively ease prostate problems

[Guest guest]

http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/news.asp?Id=8512

 

Health Report: Some herbs could effectively ease prostate problems

Provided by Saint Paul Pioneer Press on 2/18/2004

by RICHARD HARKNESS

 

 

 

 

 

Q: I have BPH and see many herbal products promoted for this condition. Can you

tell me which ones really work?

A: Like the graying of hair with age, most men can expect their prostate to

enlarge, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces the sperm-carrying fluid.

The prostate gland surrounds the duct that carries urine out of the body. As the

gland enlarges and presses against this duct, urine flow can be obstructed.

Apart from symptoms related to urinary obstruction, BPH is considered harmless.

The herbal supplements showing the most promise for treating BPH are saw

palmetto, pygeum, beta-sitosterol, rye grass pollen and African wild potato.

Saw palmetto carries the best scientific credentials and is the most widely used

supplement for BPH.

Studies show it to be about as effective as the prescription drug Proscar

(finsasteride) in reducing symptoms such as frequent urination, painful

urination, hesitancy, urgency and nighttime urination.

Additionally, the herb seems to offer important advantages over Proscar: It

usually does not cause sexual dysfunction and has little effect on PSA

(prostate-specific antigen) levels.

Higher PSA levels may indicate prostate cancer.

Pygeum (also known as African plum tree) appears to decrease nighttime urination

and frequency. It's used alone or combined with saw palmetto or other

ingredients.

Beta-sitosterol significantly improves urinary symptoms and is used as a

component in a number of supplements promoted for BPH. You might recognize

beta-sitosterol as the ingredient in Take Control, the cholesterol-lowering

margarine. It may be a good choice for men who also have high cholesterol

levels.

Rye grass pollen extract contains beta-sitosterol, the supplement just

discussed. It's used as a prescription drug in Europe and other countries and

seems to reduce nighttime urination, frequency, urgency, dribbling and painful

urination.

African wild potato is also a source of beta-sitosterol, though there's less

evidence for its benefit.

Second-tier supplements include stinging nettle, pumpkin seed and isoflavones

(found in soy and red clover).

It can take several weeks to see a noticeable benefit with herbal products, so a

trial of up to two months may be needed.

It's important to see your physician for a medical checkup before self-treating

symptoms of BPH.

For more news or to , please visit http://www.twincities.com

2004 Saint Paul Pioneer Press. .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.