The Pros and Cons of Saw Palmetto

The Pros and Cons of Saw Palmetto
by Mary Bodel

In the last decade, doctors have been telling male patients to take saw palmetto
supplements to help fend off BPG, and it may be very effective. Men using it report
that they have fewer problems. The body responds like it used to, and it's a great
relief.

Why would there be any cons to such a wonderful situation? It could be deadly. While
there is no relationship between benign prostate hypoplasia and prostate cancer,
there is a risk involving prostate cancer and the use of saw palmetto.

Many doctors now use a special blood test as a means of diagnosis. The test is called
PSA (prostate specific antigen), and it can detect cancer early in men who are
asymptomatic or help to confirm cancer in men who have symptoms. This can be a
lifesaving test.

If a man is taking saw palmetto, two important things will be a problem. First, the
herb will mask any symptoms a man might have to warn of the problem. These
symptoms can include blood in both urine and semen, pain in the pelvis and swelling
in the upper legs.

What's more dangerous is the masking of the PSA test. It is very likely that this test
will be skewed at least somewhat if the patient is taking saw palmetto.

This does not necessarily mean that you should avoid the herb. What you should do
is talk to your doctor about it. If the herb is stopped for a certain amount of time
before the blood tests, the doctor can safely check for cancer. Therefore, it is very
important that you tell the doc before your pre-checkup blood tests.

Saw palmetto is not a miracle herb, but it can make you more comfortable without
recourse to medications. Handling it properly is the key to safe usage.

About The Author

Mary Bodel

For more information about home remedies, you can visit my site:
/. There are blogs and articles about many herbs
and the conditions they may help. Subjects include stress, back pain, the flu, gout
and cholesterol. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. The
report discusses the uses, side effects, precautions and interactions of popular herbs.
My eBooks, also found on the site, contain information about foods and herbs that
can help you deal with the problems life throws our way. If you have any questions,
feel free to e-mail me at: mary@healing-home-remedies.com. Mary Bodel

As men get older, the prostate will
probably begin to get too large.
Symptoms of this include an urgent
need to urinate, waking up in the
middle of the night (often more than
once) to go, and a weak stream. It
may also feel like you haven't
completely emptied the bladder, and
the flow may start and stop.

This is an uncomfortable problem, but
not life threatening. In fact, it has
nothing to do with the formation, risk
or likelihood of developing prostate
cancer, a much bigger problem.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.