Dear Dr. Levister: What is saw palmetto. Will it help reduce an enlarged prostate?

T.M.

Dear T.M. Originally used by Native Americans as a remedy for urinary problems saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is now popular as an over-the counter supplement for prostate health. And for good reason. Evidence is building that this herb - extracted from the dark purple berries of the American saw palmetto plant - may help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the fancy name for an enlarged prostate gland.  In Germany, Austria, Italy, and other European countries, saw palmetto is an accepted medical treatment for BPH.

BPH is an overgrowth of the cells in the prostate gland, possibly due to changes in hormone levels that occur with age. It affects many men over age 40 and more than half of men over 60. BPH is not cancer, nor does it cause cancer. But an enlarged prostate that presses on the urethra (tube that carries urine to the bladder) can interfere with urination, causing a frequent, urgent need to urinate (often in the middle of the night), a decreased or stop and start urine flow, and the feeling that you haven't completely emptied your bladder.

The research on saw palmetto is promising. Several studies have shown the herb improves urinary symptoms in men with BPH. How saw palmetto works is not completely understood, but its oily compounds are thought to have various hormonal and anti-inflammatory effects.

Bottom line: Claims to shrink the prostate, reduces symptoms of BPH. Research supports its use for prostate problems. But you can't be sure what you're getting when you buy saw palmetto. If you take it, tell your physician.