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Is saw palmetto #1 for prostate problems?
By Dr. Jonathan Wright on 05/15/2011
Question: I want to start thinking more about my prostate health. Of course, I see saw palmetto all over the place -- is this the best choice?
Dr. Wright: As natural medicine became ever more popular in the last quarter of the 20th century, more and more herbal products were introduced among them a breakthrough herbal treatment for BPH: saw palmetto. Saw palmetto quickly became available in nearly all natural food stores, and almost immediately became a bestseller, as it is quite effective for reducing…sometimes dramatically…the symptoms of BPH.
But even though saw palmetto was usually effective for the symptoms of BPH, I continued to recommend using zinc and essential fatty acids first for at least three to four months, followed by saw palmetto only if zinc and essential fatty acids together weren't effective in that time.
My reasoning, admittedly theoretical (no money for controlled studies was or is available), is that zinc and essential fatty acids are essential to life and health, and saw palmetto isn't. Most Americans live entire lifetimes without even one microgram of saw palmetto, but no one can live long without zinc or essential fatty acids! So even though saw palmetto isn't thought to be harmful (more about this below), it's best to use zinc and essential fatty acids for BPH first.
If a man's prostate function improves with more zinc, then his retina and hearing apparatus (both of which normally contain more zinc than the prostate) will very likely benefit from some of that supplemental zinc, too even if those areas aren't yet symptomatic.
Similarly, if a man's prostate function is improved with additional essential fatty acids, then likely his cardiovascular health will be improved as well. As my readers know, in just the last few years many research studies have shown that essential fatty acids significantly reduce risk of atherosclerotic vascular disease.
Again, if after three to four months zinc and essential fatty acids aren't effective, saw palmetto can always be tried next.
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Jonathan V. Wright, M.D. has degrees from both Harvard University (cum laude) and the University of Michigan. More than any other doctor, he practically invented the modern science of applied nutritional biochemistry and he has advanced nutritional medicine for nearly three decades.
As of today, Dr. Wright has received over 35,000 patient visits at his now-famous Tahoma Clinic in Washington State.
To learn more about Dr. Wright, and to sign up for his free Health e-Tips eLetter, please visit www.wrightnewsletter.com.
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Comments
Roger
What form and how much zinc can I safely supplement with daily for my prostate problems in combination with essential fatty acids?
Hanif, KL Malaysia
The obvious question. Dosage? before / after food? Best economic choices of EFA with or without Zinc.
Boomer12k
Roger, I take a Zinc Supplement of 50 mg. Seems OK.
There is another herb which is not talked too much about here in America. SMALL FLOWER WILLOW HERB. Go look it up. It is said to reduce Prostate enlargement. You drink it as a tea. They swear by it in Sweden, I think it was. There are stories of men about to go in to get the operation. Before that they drank SFWH for about 3 months or so. Bottom line....no operation. It works.
So, look it up... and give it a try.
Be well and happy.
Steve
Pete
What would be the daily protocol for both Zinc and Essential Fatty Acids for and enlarged prostate?....Thanks...Pete
Lori
We should get all of the nutrients we possibly can from food first. Grass fed beef, lamb, poultry, and dairy products, along with pumpkin and squash seeds, sesame seeds and tahini, and peanuts are good sources of zinc. And if you like oysters - they've got really high levels of zinc. You'll also be getting some essential fatty acids from these foods (but don't forget the wild salmon, sardines, etc.).
Seg
Be careful with Zince supplements they can make you nauseaus if you OD. This happened to me before many years ago taking i believe approx 20 gms in combination with saw palmetto, puked my guts out early one morning at work. Best bet is to get from food sources as Lori has suggested and then if need be you can start supplementing; start with a smaller dose about 10gms and work your way up, i believe it's best taking after a meal..
Anonymous
Will using PROPel help with libido, mood elevation, sexual difficulties?
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