Saw Palmetto Extract

[snakecharmer (imported)]

Is there any OTC supplement that (in reasonable quantity & time) will greatly increase breast size while shrinking the prostate and reducing other adverse male characteristics?

While I am not convinced on a number of the points or practices at the following link, this site is aimed at breast enhancement using herbs and natural methods of enhancement. http://www.flat2fem.com/index-b.html Some of the herbs and practices worked for me and yet I stopped as I was concerned about the possibly phytotoxity of some of the herbs over time.

[Lesley (imported)]

Thanks for all that feed back.

As Saw Palmetto is having an effect on my nipples I will continue with it and then see what happens.

Currently I am taking 130micrograms of the stuff daily.

Only time will tell.

[gandalf (imported)]

your healthy prostate might also be related to your diet instead of your saw palmetto intake.

what do you eat/drink?(dairy?meat?soy? etc)

it's also possible that you have a very strong/healthy prostate due to your genetic upmake.I mean,for example,many constructionworkers get problems with their backs due to the work they do.but some are like indestructible.

you got that or you haven't.

Those are good reasons for the health of my prostate. I do not know of any male relatives (sibs, cousins, uncles, ets.) that had prostate problems so genetics may play a large part in mine being o.k.

Also, I am not a huge meat eater. I probably could live as a vegetarian but don't. I try to get about 3 oz of meat a day. I drink about 5 oz of milk a day, not much cheese due to cholesterol problems. I think that some of the "meat" we get at the senior citizens center may be soy products. Not supposed to be but some there claim that it does not taste like meat. Of course, you are talking to farmers who have raised their own meat and dairy products for years.

I do have back problems...two discs are enlarging soemwhat so I have to watch things.

But I think that the saw palmetto had a hand in how things are.

[gandalf (imported)]

I saw a few days ago a preliminary report from the massive controlled saw palmetto study at Duke University. It said the results so far have been a major disappointment. I personally am convinced that one of the red laser procedures (HOLEP, HOLAP or BIOLTEC) as soon as symptoms are bothersome is the way to go. Medical treatment is just a bandaid.

Speed (bother score 27)

There are probably a number of "studies" about the effacy of saw palmetto. I have tended to believe the various herbal studies by various groups. Each has it's own agenda in how to report the results.

Bob

[testicles2 (imported)]

Those are good reasons for the health of my prostate. I do not know of any male relatives (sibs, cousins, uncles, ets.) that had prostate problems so genetics may play a large part in mine being o.k.

Also, I am not a huge meat eater. I probably could live as a vegetarian but don't. I try to get about 3 oz of meat a day. I drink about 5 oz of milk a day, not much cheese due to cholesterol problems. I think that some of the "meat" we get at the senior citizens center may be soy products. Not supposed to be but some there claim that it does not taste like meat. Of course, you are talking to farmers who have raised their own meat and dairy products for years.

I do have back problems...two discs are enlarging soemwhat so I have to watch things.

But I think that the saw palmetto had a hand in how things are.

could be that all factors sums up in you having a healthy prostate.

(I did read negative things on dairy and prostate).

anyway,good for you that you have a healthy prostate

keep up the good spirits !

[twaddler (imported)]

Several years back I tried that and it got rid of my oily skin altogether if I took it every day. hmmm.. I need to try that again.

[nullorchis (imported)]

A little about the possible side effects of saw palmetto extract, from the Mayo Clinic web site. As with any drug or herb, your results may / will be unique to you and not necesarily be the same as what others experience (for better or worse):

Allergies

Few allergic symptoms have been reported with saw palmetto. A study of people taking the combination product PC-SPES® (no longer commercially available), which includes saw palmetto and seven other herbs, reports that three out of 70 people developed allergic reactions. In one case, the reaction included throat swelling and difficulty breathing.

Side Effects and Warnings

Few severe side effects of saw palmetto are noted in the published scientific literature. The most common complaints involve the stomach and intestines, and include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, bad breath, constipation, and diarrhea. Stomach upset caused by saw palmetto may be reduced by taking it with food. Some reports suggest that there may be less abdominal discomfort with the preparation lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens (LSESR). A small number of reports describe ulcers or liver damage and yellowing of the skin (jaundice), but the role of saw palmetto is not clear in these cases. Similarly, reports of headache, dizziness, insomnia, depression, breathing difficulties, muscle pain, high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythm, and heart disease have been reported, but are not clearly caused by saw palmetto. People with health conditions involving the stomach, liver, heart, or lungs should use caution.

Caution is advised in people scheduled to undergo some surgeries or dental work, who have bleeding disorders, or who are taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

Some men using saw palmetto report difficulty with erections, testicular discomfort, breast tenderness or enlargement, and changes in sexual desire. Saw palmetto may have effects on the body's response to the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone, but no specific effect has been well demonstrated in humans. Men or women taking hormonal medications (such as finasteride/Proscar®/Propecia® or birth control pills) or who have hormone-sensitive conditions should use caution. Tinctures may contain high levels of alcohol and should be avoided when driving or operating heavy machinery.

In theory, PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels may be artificially lowered by saw palmetto, based on a proposed mechanism of action of saw palmetto (inhibition of 5-#945;-reductase). Therefore, there may be a delay in diagnosis of prostate cancer or interference with following PSA levels during treatment or monitoring in men with known prostate cancer.

The combination product PC-SPES®, which contains saw palmetto and seven other herbs, has been found to contain prescription drugs including warfarin, a blood thinner. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning not to use PC-SPES® for this reason, and it is no longer commercially available.

[Paolo]

Doesn't sound any worse than the raft of side effects they rattle off about on prescription drugs now in their ads. As for the allergies, that doesn't sound much worse than shellfish allergies. When trying anything like this, you should always crush up an herbal and add a touch of water. Spread the mix on a sensitive area of skin and see if you break out in a rash. If you do, don't swallow it.

[artisticlicense (imported)]

I am taking Saw Palmetto Extract with my meals in the hope of reducing the size of my prostrate.

Will this extract have that effect?

One side effect that I am noticing is that my nipples are erect most of the time. It is a nice enticing feeling!

Some feed back please!

1st, Congratulations for going natural.

If you are concerned about side effects, like allergies etc. Do a poultice, as Paolo suggested. One should never just accept the adverts of modern commerce, as their main g

oal is $ and sales.

As snakecharmer's 2-cents stated;

One of the big problems with Saw Palmetto products is finding standardized products.

As with many herb preparations, the active ingredients can vary widely between products with some being merely herb powder and others extracts and everything in between.

To take enough herbal powder formulation to get the "actives" in enough amounts to make a difference, one can be subjected to a number of the other non actives which may include non desirable metals and the like. Also, the amount of "actives" may vary from batch to batch. IMHO I would look for the standardized extract preparations and take it from there. Not everyone is going to see the same results with some finding it not ef

fective at all and others finding it quite effective.

The time-of-year, place or region grown, methods of propagation and harvest (wild-crafted or field-grown), scientific analysis and formulation - all have a part in what you are putting in your system. Look for standardized products (results of independent studies; tabulations and suggestions). Most folks who swear by Saw Palmetto (I'm one of 'em) suggest 1000-1700 MG, derived from "Whole Fruit", 3 x's a day with meals. Again, genetics and lifestyle play a part in physiologic need.

Did your Physician tell you that you had an enlarged prostate, or are you 'hedging a bet'? If you are simply proactive, 1000-17000 MG a day would probably 'keep-you-in-line'. I have been taking 1700 MG a day for years - starting from a urinary infection and trouble wetting the ground. My prostate shrank to an 'acceptable' size in 3 months.

The Native Americans depended upon Saw Palmetto for centuries, for food and medication; using the whole plant, root-to-tip, including fruit (berries). The plant is profusely abundant across the southeast and coastal regions of U.S. Nowhere I went as a kid, did we not have to wade through it.

I have to admit that sensitive nipples is something I've never been aware of, but I've never known any real side-effects either (unless you are one of those who is allergic to pollen and plant dusts - which includes mold). A good reason to wash vegetation before consuming.

You will find the standard legal-type warnings on all OTC products, especially Herbal (FDA). The big Pharmaceuticals are afraid of loosing $, and own the FDA. I admit to being a "Conspiricy-theorist",....but I truly believe that the FDA is controlled by big-business and $.

Biggest thing when taking supplements (as most folks do,...pills and tablets ARE easy), do your homework and research,...like you are attempting to do here. Gather info to make an informed choice. I would prefer you consume vegetation in it's natural form, but when that is not an option, research the companies you buy from.

I do use OTC products and have come to depend upon Wonder Labs. I like their philosophy and Mission Statement. They do the "in-house" thing. Products start-to-finish. Old company - new to the Internet. http://www.wonderlabs.com/

A good Internet resource site; http://www.alternativesforhealing.com/

Another good source of info would be from your local herb shop. Most employ a Naturopath, and some employ Holistic Practitioners,...a wealth if friendly advice. You'll find most are glad you asked. No question is a dumb question either.

Good luck.

[artisticlicense (imported)]

Thanks for all that feed back.

As Saw Palmetto is having an effect on my nipples I will continue with it and then see what happens.

Currently I am taking 130micrograms of the stuff daily.

Only time will tell.

PS; if you are M-F, you'll find that a lot of herb shops are willing to make suggestions with no condemnations, but you may want tell them that up front. They know natural markets are a huge resouce for trans-folks, and a lot of herbs DO help most folks "feel" more like they would prefer.

130micrograms of the stuff That's dust-in-a-thimble. May want to increase that amount to at least 450 Milligrams (MG).

Look at the label, is it mcg or mg?

1 microgram (mcg) = 0.001 milligrams. 1 milligram = 1000 micrograms (mcg)