Cranberry and saw palmetto
Moderator: talkhealth
Cranberry and saw palmetto
Are there any real health advantages to either of these-in terms of trips to the toilet and the 'urge to go'along with limiting benign prostate growth?
- Dr Jon Rees
- Posts: 79
- Joined: Mon Nov 21, 2011 3:07 pm
Re: Cranberry and saw palmetto
Hi
cranberry - this has been mainly suggested as a treatment to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (cystitis) - however, the trials that have been done (and there have been lots!) have not shown a convincing benefit, and a large study that combined the results of all the previous research concluded that cranberry does not work - I have pretty much stopped recommending it.
Saw Palmetto is a herbal remedy for men with symptoms from benign prostate enlargement. Whilst it is widely used and advertised, the studies have again failed to show benefit - again a large analysis concluded it was no better than a placebo (dummy pill) 'even at double or triple the standard dose'. Some men swear by it, it seems to be perfectly safe - but I could not recommend it without better evidence that it works.
Hope that helps!
cranberry - this has been mainly suggested as a treatment to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (cystitis) - however, the trials that have been done (and there have been lots!) have not shown a convincing benefit, and a large study that combined the results of all the previous research concluded that cranberry does not work - I have pretty much stopped recommending it.
Saw Palmetto is a herbal remedy for men with symptoms from benign prostate enlargement. Whilst it is widely used and advertised, the studies have again failed to show benefit - again a large analysis concluded it was no better than a placebo (dummy pill) 'even at double or triple the standard dose'. Some men swear by it, it seems to be perfectly safe - but I could not recommend it without better evidence that it works.
Hope that helps!
Dr Jon Rees
GP, Backwell & Nailsea Medical Group with specialist interest in Men’s Health and Urology
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... n_rees.php
GP, Backwell & Nailsea Medical Group with specialist interest in Men’s Health and Urology
http://www.talkhealthpartnership.com/on ... n_rees.php