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By Neil Levin, CCN, June 21, 2004
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Lucky men! There is a natural product to help avoid balding while it protects prostate health. The herb called "saw palmetto" has been shown in studies to be of use in preventing these two problems of aging in men.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an uncomfortable condition where men cannot void their urine properly because it is difficult both to start and to complete urination. BPH may begin in one's forties, but by age 80 about 80% of men suffer from this embarrassing problem. Medications often are a factor.
In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, saw palmetto extract was as effective at lowering prostate androgen levels affecting BPH as the leading drug, Proscar, but with minimal side effects.
Looking at improvements in rates of hair growth in men, saw palmetto extract was 60% effective versus only 11% for placebo. The most common medications for balding are only moderately effective in maintaining hair, less effective for re-growing it.
Saw palmetto extracts used in the studies were standardized to 85%-95% fatty acid sterols, in doses between 160 and 320 mg./day. It's as safe as vegetable oil!
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