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Healthwatch

Can Saw Palmetto Treat An Enlarged Prostate?

~3.3 mins read

Scientific evidence shows little or no benefit.

Close-up of ripe berries on a branch of a saw palmetto tree; the berries are used in the making of a dietary supplement.

Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement. It's extracted from berries that grow on saw palmetto palm trees, which are native to the southeastern United States.

By one estimate, more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto specifically. Some evidence suggests that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties, and its use as folk medicine dates back over a century.

But experts at Harvard say men should view its supposed benefits for prostate health skeptically. "Saw palmetto is unlikely to harm you, but it probably won't provide any major benefits either," says Dr. Heidi Rayala, an assistant professor of urology at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

BPH and the potential effect of saw palmetto

It's common for men to develop an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), when they get older. BPH impedes urinary flow through the urethra, causing obstructive symptoms that can worsen with time.

Just how saw palmetto might act on the prostate to improve symptoms isn't entirely clear, however. Some evidence suggest it mimics the effects of certain drugs used for treating BPH, including 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Proscar), which shrink the prostate gland.

In the US, no herbal supplement is approved as BPH treatment. The American Urological Association cautions that studies backing saw palmetto for treating enlarged prostates have numerous flaws, including short durations and a lack of placebo controls. Most of the supporting evidence comes from small studies paid for by companies that sell dietary supplements.

What do randomized clinical trials show?

The best-conducted research shows no benefits from saw palmetto for BPH. During one study, 225 men with moderate to severe BPH were treated with either a placebo or 160 milligrams (mg) of saw palmetto, taken twice daily for a year. The investigators detected no difference in outcomes, but they also acknowledged that doses tested in the study may have been too low to produce measurable effects.

So, during a larger subsequent study, researchers tested higher doses of saw palmetto ranging up to 320 mg given three times a day. Nearly 370 men ages 45 and older were randomized to treatment or placebo groups. After year and a half, men in both groups reported feeling either no worse or a little better. Remarkably, 40% of the placebo-treated men said symptoms had improved, suggesting the simple act of taking a pill could have something to do with the supplement's perceived benefits.

Dr. Michael Barry, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, led the study. He urges men to consult with their doctors before trying saw palmetto, mainly to rule out other potential causes of urinary obstruction, which can include bladder or prostate cancer. And saw palmetto may interfere with the blood's clotting ability, making it risky for men who take blood thinners.

Recent results and comments

The latest evidence on saw palmetto and BPH comes from a Cochrane Review of 27 placebo-controlled studies enrolling a combined 4,656 participants. Results published in 2024 showed no improvement in urinary symptoms or quality of life from taking saw palmetto (alone or with other herbal supplements) over durations ranging up to 17 months.

"If the ingredients in these herbal products worked well for urinary symptoms, drug companies would have already had them approved by the FDA as a medicine that insurance companies would have to cover," Dr. Rayala said. "It's okay to take them, but just be cautious about spending too much of your own money on these alternatives."

"It is easy to understand why so many find taking a naturally occurring supplement for treating urinary difficulties in middle age appealing," said Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "However, evidence of effectiveness with saw palmetto is lacking, and its use for BPH and other common urinary symptoms without a full evaluation of the potential cause should be discouraged."

Harvard Health Publishing

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P7as2

Ankush Bahuguna Shares His Harrowing 40-Hour Cyber Scam Experience & Its Terrifying

~1.6 mins read

If you thought scams only happened to people who weren’t tech-savvy, think again. Popular YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna recently shared a terrifying experience of being held hostage in a cyber arrest scam for almost 40 hours. Yes, 40 hours of sheer mental torture, leaving him shaken and vulnerable. In a detailed Instagram video, Ankush opened up about how scammers manipulated him into believing he was involved in illegal activities, making him lose money, peace of mind, and trust in his instincts. The video has now gone viral, serving as a wake-up call to all of us who think we’re “too smart” to fall for scams. A post shared by Instagram (@instagram) It began with an innocent-sounding automated call after Ankush returned from the gym. The call claimed his courier had been canceled and urged him to press “zero for support.” And like many of us would, he did. The person on the other end alleged that Ankush’s package contained illegal items and had been seized by customs. To make matters worse, the scammer “verified” Ankush’s name and Aadhaar number, making it seem terrifyingly legit. The scammers told Ankush he was under “digital arrest” and that an arrest warrant had been issued in his name. Using his personal information and playing on his fear, they coerced him into complying with their demands. Ankush admitted, “I am still in shock. I can’t believe this happened to me. I’ve lost money and my mental health to this.” Despite sending “I’m okay” texts to friends, Ankush’s close ones noticed something was off. Their instincts eventually helped him realize he was being scammed, but not before the ordeal had taken a toll on him. Addressing those questioning how he fell for it, Ankush said, “Not everyone reacts the same way to panic. Instead of calling this stupid, make people around you aware of it.” Let Ankush’s terrifying ordeal remind us to be a little more cautious in this increasingly digital world. As he rightly put it, “Sharing this so others don’t have to go through what I went through.” Stay safe out there!

Source: scoopwhoop.com

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News_Naija

LASEMA Contains Fire At Medical Centre Corpers Knock FG Over Unpaid N77k Allowance

~1.0 mins read

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency says it has successfully contained a raging fire that engulfed sections of a storey building housing Ago Medical Centre, off Ago Palace Way, Okota. The Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement in the early hours of Saturday. Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the agency activated the state’s emergency response plan and its response team from Oshodi, following distress calls received on its 767/112 Emergency Toll-Free Lines at 18.29hrs on Friday. “Upon arrival at 18.50hrs, LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team discovered that sections of a storey building which housed a hospital were being gutted by fire at the aforementioned address. “Preliminary investigations conducted by LASEMA’s Eagle Response Team revealed that the immediate cause of the inferno was a power surge which led to a spark when public electricity power supply was restored,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He said that no lives were lost nor injuries recorded due to the incident. He noted that the fire was being contained through collaborative efforts of the LASEMA Response Team Fire Unit and other responders, to prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings in the area. “The fire is still raging and responders are battling to put it off. “Response and Recovery Operations are in progress,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He listed emergency responders at the scene as including the LASEMA Response Team, LASEMA Fire Unit, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos Neighbourhood and Security Corps and the Nigeria Police Force. NAN

Read more stories like this on punchng.com

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Investopedia

Air Products Stock Jumps As Activist Investor Pushes Strategy Shift

~1.0 mins read

Air Products and Chemicals (APD) shares soared on Monday following reports that activist investor Mantle Ridge has acquired a stake worth more than $1 billion in the industrial gas provider and plans to push for improvements at the company.

According to , people close to the situation said Mantle Ridge has been accumulating a position in the company since March. The firm reportedly plans to push for numerous changes at Air Products, including succession planning and capital allocation to increase shareholder wealth.

Mantle Ridge will reportedly pressure the Air Products board of directors to plan for an eventual executive leadership transition. In July, the departure of Samir Serhan from the chief operating officer (COO) role created some uncertainty surrounding the company's executive suite. At age 80, Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products CEO since 2014, is among the oldest CEOs of any company in the S&P 500.

Mantle Ridge is also expected to offer ideas on how Air Products can better manage its money. Some analysts think the company has been too focused on areas like clean fuel at the expense of its main business of industrial gases.

Air Products shares finished Monday more than 9% higher. The stock, which has been volatile in 2024, has risen around 14% year-to-date.

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