Some self-appointed experts tout saw palmetto or other “natural extracts” as the best means of maintaining good prostate functioning. I have doubts about these products, primarily because they are hawked in smarmy-looking publications by “authorities” who look like they flunked out of chiropracty school.
That said, most medical experts I’ve heard say there is no proven way to prevent prostate dysfunction–it’s simply a matter of genetics and diet. (A female friend suggested it is caused by insufficient sex, an urban legend if there ever was one.)
What are the facts about preventing prostate dysfunction? Have any large-scale studies demonstrated the efficacy of saw palmeto–or anything else?
Foods high in anti-oxidents have been rumored to help prevent prostate cancer, but I am not sure about general dysfunction.
Prostate dysfunction and cancer are both tied to genetic disposition.
Seems the most sensible approach to the function of various organs is a healthy life style, with a balanced diet, exerise, etc. None of these might be able to completely override genetics, but they might help.
Saw palmetto is touted to reduce enlarged prostates - benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Studies in Europe show that it is effective for BPH symptoms, but can cause GI upset and nausea in some people. Saw palmetto berries contain phytosterols, plant compounds that may curb the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a male hormone that stimulates prostate growth. A prescription drug, finasteride (Proscar) targets the same pathway. Finasteride is also one of the two drugs used to combat alopecia (baldness), by curbing the production of DHT. Saw palmetto may have that benefit also.
I have BPH and take saw palmetto. But I also take a medicine that relaxes the prostate muscle (Flomax). Not Proscar since that is the same metabolic pathway as saw palmetto.
I initially took just saw palmetto with no improvement in my urine flow, as measured with the “uroflow” test. So I took his advice and started with Flomax, discontinuing the saw palmetto. Still no improvement. Since I’ve begun both, my urine flow has improved. (It may have done so with just Flomax or just saw palmetto. But since it’s better with both, I continue to take both.)
It may be that saw palmetto works for me now since I’ve bought a different brand. It should contain a minimum of 85% fatty acids and 0.2% sterols according to this site .
Prostates have some messages here already. Its true that I once quoted my doctor (quite old himself) saying that ‘its an old guys disease’ & got chewed out by guys here saying they had thier thingy checked when in their 30’s & 40’s (whatever it was) & were concerened cause it was rather big. However, they also forgot that you’re not supposed tohave sex before your prostate test cause it makes it bigger…
You got chewed out quite appropriatly, IMHO. Prostate Cancer occurs in men as young as 35. I start screening my patients for it at age 40. And having sex prior to the test will not affect the results significantly. I would say that your doctor is out of date as far as his prostate knowledge goes.
Sex does not make the prostate feel abnormal on digital exam, and does not make it bigger. Ejaculation, prostate or urinary tract infection can cause a transient rise in PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels, so if a screening blood test is mildly elevated, it should be repeated after treating the infection or refraining from ejaculation for 24 hours (yes, this last is possible, you young guys).
But Prostate cancer is not an “old guy’s disease”, and when younger men have it, it is often a very aggressive form of cancer with much greater morbidity and mortality than what is seen when it’s found in an 80 year old.
I forgot to add: That’s why screening is important at a young age; so we can catch the aggressive cases of prostate cancer while there’s still hope for complete remission.
Perhaps I should clarify a little bit there Qadgop. First of all, being deaf means that I get a very small amount of info from the doctor in a visit, thus they do tend to just give me the most important thing. Sure, you can get it at an early age but don’t you think that on average, it effects older men? You really don’t see younger guys getting it on the news much.
Of course you can talk about screening too, if you want. The PSA test & the digital test both have their advantages.
BTW: I had a test at 40 myself. Thats when the doc gave me his little bit of info
handy, I’m glad your doc is following the screening procedures recommended. While he is right that on the average, prostate hypertrophy is an old man’s disease, prostate cancer can appear much earlier. It doesn’t make many headlines when it does because (IMHO) it’s not a real romantic disease. Until Tom Cruise or Dubya gets hit by it before their senescence, we won’t hear much about the cases that are occurring.
Sometimes we guys are just supposed to bend over and smile.
