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Dr. Kim Mulvihill reporting There are surprising new findings about a popular herbal remedy used by millions of men.
We're talking about saw palmetto: An herb used by men to treat symptoms related to enlarged prostates. A new study should make us think twice about its use.
In San Francisco's north beach, ask about BPH, and you get a variety of answers.
"I've definitely heard about it. Some men having problems"
"I don't have it, I think."
"I don't have it either "
B-P-H is a benign enlargement of the prostate; a condition common in men over fifty that makes it difficult to urinate.
Millions of men with b-p-h use an herbal remedy called saw palmetto to alleviate symptoms.
"I've been taking saw palmetto as kind of hedging my bets"
"It's gonna happen. You know the longer you're alive, the more chance you have of developing it."
A new study looked at saw palmetto, and the herb took a direct hit. The findings show saw palmetto does not work better than a placebo for men with an enlarged prostate.
Andy Avins, M.D., Researcher, Kaiser Permanente Oakand: "As a scientist, I'm quite pleased with the study. As a clinician, I'm obviously disappointed "
Dr. Andy Avins of Kaiser Permanente Oakland is one of the researchers He says saw palmetto was so promising because other treatments for b-p-h either have side effects or include surgery.
"I always prefer to have more options for my patients than fewer options the results of this were obviously a let down for all of us"
Previous studies showed saw palmetto worked. So what makes this study better? They took the time to make a really good placebo. You can't tell which one's the real thing? Not only that - they both taste and smell like saw palmetto: Terrible.
Andy Avins, M.D., Researcher, Kaiser Permanente Oakand: "The placebo was so awful it was good "
But does that mean men should toss it out?
Andy Avins, M.D., Researcher, Kaiser Permanente Oakand: " If men tried it and they feel a benefit, I think its probably safe to use in the short-term as long as they're doing it under the guidance of physicians"
Keep in mind, there's tremendous variation in the dose of saw palmetto that men take. This study looked at 160 milligrams -- twice day. It's possible that a higher dose -- which a lot of men are taking -- might show a benefit, and in fact, they hope to study that next.
So it might not help... but could it hurt?
You always have to weigh the risks and benefits in this study, there was no evidence of toxicity to the liver or kidneys.
It appeared to be safe for a year long study.
I agree with Dr Avins, safe to use at least in the short term, and keep your doctor in the loop.
