Researchers and experience at odds over saw-palmetto extract

Despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary, some researchers are claiming that saw-palmetto supplements when taken for prostate health, work no better than placebo. However, they also acknowledge that many men will strongly disagree. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Millions of middle-aged men take saw-palmetto to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate can affect urination, causing a patient to have frequent bouts of urgency, weak stream, or in more extreme cases, reduced bladder function. Many herbalists recommend saw-palmetto as a natural solution.

Saw-palmetto has a long history of use by Native Americans for various urinary and reproductive health problems. The extract has also been historically used as an expectorant and even as an anesthetic. Until a century ago, it was commonly prescribed for digestive ailments. Some studies suggest that saw-palmetto extract may even influence anti-tumor activity in the body, although the trials have only been conducted with animals and not on humans. Such claims are debatable, though doctors acknowledge that many men swear by it.
 
Now, a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, says that they found no difference in symptoms between the number of men taking the supplement and a placebo.
 
In the current study, researchers randomly assigned 369 U.S. and Canadian men with a variety of prostate-related symptoms to take saw-palmetto capsules or a placebo. After 18 months, they concluded that the men taking the saw-palmetto were no better than the men taking the placebo. Researchers even say they tripled the doses of saw-palmetto in the test group.
 
Researchers say the two groups were graded on a 35 point scale commonly used by urologists and had an average of 14.5 points on the scale for symptoms. However, both the saw-palmetto and placebo groups reported some improvement in symptoms, by about 2 or 3 points, respectively. Researchers credit the placebo effect.

Still, the lead author, Michael J. Barry, M.D., a primary care physician at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, said the results don't mean that men should immediately stop taking saw-palmetto. He admitted, "We can't show, on the one hand, that it's better than placebo, but some men do have an improvement in their symptoms, and there seem to be virtually no side effects." He continued, "I wouldn't object, given the no side effects, if men wanted to try it."

Doctor Barry even admits encouraging his patients to continue taking the supplement.
 
Admittedly, one could raise questions of the study. Pharmaceutical companies who fund these studies have an interest in seeing the supplements fail. Now, they are at odds with the experience of millions of men who say that saw-palmetto works.
 
Saw-palmetto happens to be the second-most best-selling herbal supplement in the U.S.. In 2010 it ranked just behind cranberry. Millions of men use the supplement and benefit from it. Are they throwing their money away? Is saw-palmetto just a placebo?

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The answer could depend a lot on the patient. Daily routine, and other health factors could play a significant role in determining if and how saw-palmetto works.

Experts suggests that men who are truly curious track their intake of the supplement and monitor their overall health, paying particular attention to their urinary function. If patients track their data using a program such as MyPHRChart, and discuss the results with their doctor, they may find out if saw-palmetto is the safe alternative to prescription drugs and surgery as it has long been rumored to be.

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