Useful reminder piece from Nutri on three useful treatment approaches to prostate health for you this morning.
Supporting men & their prostate: the bigger pictureNeeding to urinate more frequently. Getting up several times in the night to relieve oneself. Difficulty starting or stopping urinary flow or emptying the bladder completely. These are all signs of a prostate problem in men. In fact, the prostate becomes one of the most problem-causing organs for men as they age, with more than 50% of men experiencing such symptoms by the time they reach 65.
That is why prostate support is crucial in middle-aged and older men. A healthy dietary and lifestyle approach, alongside supplementation with vital nutrients, is essential for optimal prostate health. Optimal prostate health is necessary for preventing common problems such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which affects a third of all men. Both genetic and environmental influences may be involved in the etiology of prostate health. Ethnic origin, family history, smoking and diet may all play a role and should be considered as part of a prostate health programme. It has also been suggested that numerous plant constituents may act synergistically in the prevention and inhibition of prostate disorders1.
Saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol and stinging nettles (Urtica Dioica) have all been shown to provide strong support for and maintenance of the urinary tract and prostate gland in men.
Saw palmetto
In a 2011 trial, which included 120 men who were treated over a period of 24 months, a saw palmetto extract showed a statistically significant improvement in International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS), quality of life, Qmax, International Index of Erectile Function, and reduction in residual urinary volume.2
Beta-sitosterol
A 1999 systematic review of 4 trials comprising a total of 519 men lasting 4-26 weeks, concluded that beta-sitosterol improves urinary symptoms and flow measures which as a result were associated with fewer adverse effects. 3
Stinging Nettles (Urtica Dioica)
The results of a 2005 6-month randomised, placebo-controlled trial were published in the Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. At the end of the trial, involving 558 men, 81% of men taking Urtica Dioica reported an improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) compared with 16% of men in the placebo group4.
These studies are a brief insight into how middle aged and older men can benefit significantly from inclusion of these three well-researched herbs in relation to their prostate health.
References
1. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 Jan; 52(1): 114-30.
2. Urol Int 2011; 86(3): 284-49.
3. BJU International. 1999; 83: 976-983.
4. J Herb Pharmacother 2005; 5(4): 1-11.
Hello
I’ve long tried to find TGF versions of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol without success. If anyone else has more luck, I hope you’ll post it asap Micki! Baldwin’s do a liquid urtica dioica, which a year or two ago I was told was in a base derived from sugar beet (though that may have changed by now).
Hi Anthony. This is the PHC blog rather than the TGF one so I haven’t given sources as that is easy to find for non-TGFs!
For TGF grain free versions, Beta sitosterol can’t help you with without more research but I know you can get pure saw palmetto berries and powder (to make your own capsules – I am working on some pure gelatin caps as we speak) from Herbs of Grace. They also do a tincture that is in sugar beet alcohol – I just confirmed that with them today as I am doing the list of grain/sugar ones for the TGF Master List. See here. And Specialist Herb Supplies do plain saw palmetto caps, see here.
Actually just checked Urtica too and HoG do that too 🙂
Hello Micki. Many thanks for these links. I’ll certainly be trying either or both of these saw palmettos. I’d almost given up hope of finding anything!
Glad to help – it’s worth always checking the TGF master list – I recommend HoG for herbs in there, although am just adding some more info and SHS today to it too.