HackTwat
MuscleChemistry Registered Member
One of the many risks of taking high doses of Testosterone/AAS is adversely affecting the Prostate, either by enlargement or the "C" word we all hate to hear. So, I believe it is wise to do what we can either by diet or through supplements to take care of our Prostate. Especially if you are over the age of 40.
Here is an article regarding a couple of different approaches to Prostate Health.
I found it interesting.....Austin
Prostate Actions of Saw Palmetto
Becoming Clearer
By Donald J. Brown, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (June 7, 2001)—Men taking a saw palmetto herbal combination were found to have decreased amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a hormone linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—in tissue samples taken from their prostates by needle biopsy.
The results of the study presented at Tuesday’s American Urological Association annual meeting in Anaheim, California and published this week in the journal Urology,1 confirm that a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) supplement reduces levels of DHT—an action that is thought to contribute to the herb’s ability to treat mild to moderate BPH in men.
Tissue samples were obtained from the prostates of men with symptomatic BPH who had been taking a saw palmetto supplement (320 mg of saw palmetto per day combined with nettle root, pumpkin seed oil, lemon flavonoids, and vitamin A) or placebo for six months. Samples were also obtained from men with BPH who were either untreated or were taking the drug Proscar® (finasteride)—a prescription drug for BPH which is known to reduce DHT levels by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Men taking finasteride were found to have a sizable drop of 80% in prostate DHT levels compared to untreated men. By comparison, the saw palmetto supplement led to a 32% decrease in DHT levels.
While weaker than finasteride, saw palmetto’s effects on DHT were centered only in the prostate and did not affect blood levels of the hormone. Those in the finasteride group had a 70% decrease in blood levels of the hormone.
Prostate Gland and Hormones
DHT is the major male hormone in the prostate required for growth and maintenance of the gland. DHT is derived from testosterone—a conversion that occurs under the influence of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. High levels of DHT are thought to contribute to an enlargement of the prostate and lead to BPH as men reach middle age.
Finasteride operates solely by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. However, the drug is also associated with side effects, such as erectile dysfunction. The results of this study show a drop in DHT levels with saw palmetto use, which suggests but does not conclusively demonstrate 5-alpha reductase inhibition. Previous studies have indicated that saw palmetto may inhibit 5-alpha reductase.2
According to a critical review of clinical trials on saw palmetto published in 1998 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, saw palmetto is a safe and effective treatment for many of the symptoms associated with BPH.3 Affecting an estimated 50% of men over the age of 50, symptoms of BPH include weak or intermittent urine stream, painful urination, and increased frequency and urgency to urinate (especially at night).
The current study also highlights an important safety feature of saw palmetto: men taking the saw palmetto supplement had no change in blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)—an important marker used to detect prostate cancer. Drugs such as finasteride that alter PSA levels may potentially mask elevations and delay the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto’s lack of effect on PSA levels has been shown in previous clinical trials as well.4 5
While finasteride was a logical reference drug for evaluation of effect on DHT levels, further clinical trials are needed to compare the long-term effects of saw palmetto with the more commonly recommended class of BPH drugs known as alpha-blockers (e.g. Cardura®, Flomax®, and Hytrin®). Future studies should also determine whether the combination of ingredients used in the current study is superior to saw palmetto alone.
Before choosing to use saw palmetto supplements to treat BPH symptoms, men should discuss their condition with their urologist.
References:
1. Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, et al. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: Use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 2001;57:999–1005.
2. Bayne CW, Ross M, Donnelly F, Habib FK. The selectivity and specificity of the actions of the lipido-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon®) on the prostate. J Urol 2000;164:876–81.
3. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A systematic review. JAMA 1998;280:1604–9.
4. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate 1996;29:231–40.
5. Gerber GS, Zagaja GP, Bales GT, et al. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: Effects in urodynamic parameters and voiding symptoms. Urology 1998;51:1003–7.
Here is an article regarding a couple of different approaches to Prostate Health.
I found it interesting.....Austin
Prostate Actions of Saw Palmetto
Becoming Clearer
By Donald J. Brown, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (June 7, 2001)—Men taking a saw palmetto herbal combination were found to have decreased amounts of dihydrotestosterone (DHT)—a hormone linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—in tissue samples taken from their prostates by needle biopsy.
The results of the study presented at Tuesday’s American Urological Association annual meeting in Anaheim, California and published this week in the journal Urology,1 confirm that a saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) supplement reduces levels of DHT—an action that is thought to contribute to the herb’s ability to treat mild to moderate BPH in men.
Tissue samples were obtained from the prostates of men with symptomatic BPH who had been taking a saw palmetto supplement (320 mg of saw palmetto per day combined with nettle root, pumpkin seed oil, lemon flavonoids, and vitamin A) or placebo for six months. Samples were also obtained from men with BPH who were either untreated or were taking the drug Proscar® (finasteride)—a prescription drug for BPH which is known to reduce DHT levels by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Men taking finasteride were found to have a sizable drop of 80% in prostate DHT levels compared to untreated men. By comparison, the saw palmetto supplement led to a 32% decrease in DHT levels.
While weaker than finasteride, saw palmetto’s effects on DHT were centered only in the prostate and did not affect blood levels of the hormone. Those in the finasteride group had a 70% decrease in blood levels of the hormone.
Prostate Gland and Hormones
DHT is the major male hormone in the prostate required for growth and maintenance of the gland. DHT is derived from testosterone—a conversion that occurs under the influence of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. High levels of DHT are thought to contribute to an enlargement of the prostate and lead to BPH as men reach middle age.
Finasteride operates solely by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. However, the drug is also associated with side effects, such as erectile dysfunction. The results of this study show a drop in DHT levels with saw palmetto use, which suggests but does not conclusively demonstrate 5-alpha reductase inhibition. Previous studies have indicated that saw palmetto may inhibit 5-alpha reductase.2
According to a critical review of clinical trials on saw palmetto published in 1998 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, saw palmetto is a safe and effective treatment for many of the symptoms associated with BPH.3 Affecting an estimated 50% of men over the age of 50, symptoms of BPH include weak or intermittent urine stream, painful urination, and increased frequency and urgency to urinate (especially at night).
The current study also highlights an important safety feature of saw palmetto: men taking the saw palmetto supplement had no change in blood levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA)—an important marker used to detect prostate cancer. Drugs such as finasteride that alter PSA levels may potentially mask elevations and delay the diagnosis of prostate cancer. Saw palmetto’s lack of effect on PSA levels has been shown in previous clinical trials as well.4 5
While finasteride was a logical reference drug for evaluation of effect on DHT levels, further clinical trials are needed to compare the long-term effects of saw palmetto with the more commonly recommended class of BPH drugs known as alpha-blockers (e.g. Cardura®, Flomax®, and Hytrin®). Future studies should also determine whether the combination of ingredients used in the current study is superior to saw palmetto alone.
Before choosing to use saw palmetto supplements to treat BPH symptoms, men should discuss their condition with their urologist.
References:
1. Marks LS, Hess DL, Dorey FJ, et al. Tissue effects of saw palmetto and finasteride: Use of biopsy cores for in situ quantification of prostatic androgens. Urology 2001;57:999–1005.
2. Bayne CW, Ross M, Donnelly F, Habib FK. The selectivity and specificity of the actions of the lipido-sterolic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon®) on the prostate. J Urol 2000;164:876–81.
3. Wilt TJ, Ishani A, Stark G, et al. Saw palmetto extracts for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. A systematic review. JAMA 1998;280:1604–9.
4. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate 1996;29:231–40.
5. Gerber GS, Zagaja GP, Bales GT, et al. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms: Effects in urodynamic parameters and voiding symptoms. Urology 1998;51:1003–7.
