Popular herbal supplement used to treat prostate pain 'does not work', say experts

No benefit: Research into herbal remedy saw palmetto extract discovered that a trebling from the dosage doesn't help males with prostate problems

A well known herbal supplement bought by males to alleviate discomfort triggered by an enlarged prostate doesn't work, say scientists.

1000's of males go ahead and take remedy saw palmetto extract, which will come in the fruit of a kind of palm tree, to enhance urinary problems triggered by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

But new research found even taking three occasions the conventional dose from the supplement created no benefit.

Many older males take saw palmetto extract capsules purchased from health food shops or on the web like a first option when they're identified, before drugs to help make the prostate shrink or surgery.

It's the most widely used supplement for BPH, and a part of an increasing ?396 million annually market in natural supplements.

The most recent US research involved greater than 300 males aged 45 and older who'd moderate signs and symptoms of the inflamed prostate, including frequent peeing and difficulty draining their bladders.

These were at random selected to get a regular saw palmetto extract supplement or perhaps a ‘dummy’ placebo capsule that smelled and sampled exactly the same. More...

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After 24 days saw palmetto dosage was elevated from 320 mg to 640 mg. It was elevated again to 960 mg 24 days later.

In the finish of nearly 17 several weeks, males using the supplement and also the placebo remained as suffering identical signs and symptoms.

Neither number of males understood who had been using the herbal remedy before the study was completed, based on results released within the Journal from the Ama.

Study leader Professor Gerald Andriole, in the Washington College Med school in St Louis, stated ‘Now we all know that even high doses of saw palmetto extract make simply no difference.

Traditional remedy: Saw palmetto extract uses berries from the US palm, pictured, in capsules, pills, fluids and teas

‘Men shouldn't spend their cash about this herbal supplement in an effort to reduce signs and symptoms of enlarged prostate since it clearly doesn't work much better than the usual sugar pill.’

Prof Andriole stated there is no help to using the supplement in comparison using the dummy treatment, also it didn't have greater impact on signs and symptoms.

Earlier research has created conflicting results, although Professor Edzard Ernst, Britain’s first professor of complementary medicine, lately stated there is evidence to aid its use.

Saw palmetto extract, which utilizes berries from the US palm in capsules, pills, fluids and teas, continues to be registered using the Medications and Health care items Regulating Agency (MHRA) like a traditional herbal remedy to relieve signs and symptoms from an enlarged prostate.

However, registration is dependant on traditional use as opposed to the outcomes of studies.