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The prostate gland is of concern to every man, especially
those over the age of 49, because with each passing decade the prostate becomes more
susceptible to physiologic changes that can lead to discomfort and inconvenience. It is
said that about 75% of men over the age of 60 experience some functional prostate
difficulties. The testosterone derivatives, particularly dihydrotestosterone
(DHT), appear
to be responsible for the undesirable age-related changes in prostate function.
DHT is produced from testosterone by the enzyme
5-alpha-reductase. Like most enzymes, it is subject to inhibition, and the study of
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors has been a subject of great interest in andrology research.
One such inhibitor is finasteride, commonly known as Proscar. Proscar, however, requires a
prescription from a physician. |
The extract of Saw Palmetto, a
dwarf palm native to the southeastern U.S. that was used as a food by native Americans,
provides a complex of well-documented factors which inhibit 5-alpha-reductase and build
prostate health. The extracted lipids of saw palmetto berries contain a peculiar
mix of fatty acids, phytosterols and alcohols that appear to have a special influence on
prostate health. Saw palmetto lipid extract has been used in extensive clinical testing
overseas, where it has been shown that it lowers DHT levels. Additionally, it appears to
inhibit nuclear receptors for both androgens and estrogens, the latter of which may play a
negative role, similar to DHT, in prostate health.
Regular use of Saw Palmetto Extract, over time, can correct
nutritional deficiencies and improve the biochemical environment of the prostate, thus
building prostate health and opposing the development of age-related prostate imbalances.
The dose of saw palmetto berry extract that has been used in almost all the clinical
studies is 160 mgs twice daily (320 mgs total).
Pygeum Africana is a large evergreen tree.
It's flowers and deeply fissured bark contains the sterols, terpenoids, and plant alcohols
that constitute the active ingredients which have been successfully tested for alleviation
of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). They affect both the inflammation and the edema
that are two of the major functional signs of BPH. Pygeum can also inhibit the absorption
and metabolism of cholesterol, which is the beginning cause of BPH. So it seems
that Pygeum Africana fights both the symptoms and causes of BPH. Daniel B.
Mowrey, Ph.D., recommends a typical dose of 50 mg, twice a day, for one to several months.
Neither pygeum nor saw palmetto can help prostate
cancer, so it's best to obtain a physician's diagnosis. Once that is done, the
judicious use of Saw Palmetto Extract and Pygeum Africana can contribute to the health of
the prostate. We carry each of these plant extracts individually, as well as combined in
several excellent formulas.
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