These prostate-related symptoms can be obstructive (frequent urination at night, need to urinate more often, urinary urgency) and irritant (feeling that the bladder is full even after urinating, weak urine flow, urinary dribbling, need to stop and start urinating several times, need to make an effort or to put pressure to urinate).

The occurrence of some degree of Benign Prostatic Growth is 50% in men aged 50-60, 60% in men aged 60-70 and up to 90% in men over 80.

What is Saw Palmetto?

Serenoa repens plant or Saw Palmetto is native to the southern coastal regions of the United States. This belongs to the family of palm trees (Arecaceae) and is a shrubby palm tree with a maximum height of 6 metres. Its leaves are large, yellowish green, have got up to 20 segments and form a crown. The discreet flowers of Saw palmetto are cream-coloured and are found in short, densely pubescent, paniculately-branched inflorescences. The fruit is a deep purple to almost black oval berry with wrinkled skin, pale brown spongy flesh and strong cheese-like aroma.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) contains a large amount of phytochemicals that are very interesting given their healthy properties on the prostate and associated urinary discomfort: sterols, including beta-sitosterol, Flavonoids (isoquercitrin, kaempferol), water-soluble polysaccharides (galactoarabans), and free fatty acids.

References: Gandaglia, 2013. BJU Int.; Pagano, 2014. Phytother Res.; PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, ISBN 1-56363-361-2.