I asked my doctor about Flomax....

[HysteryDiagnosis]

and then I read this. I don't care what he says about Flomax, I ain't goin for it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16835506&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
No synergy or addition was observed when beta-sitosterol was tested together with the cocoa polyphenols extract. Our results show that cocoa polyphenols extracts have an antiproliferative effect on prostate cancer cell growth but not on normal cells, at the highest tested concentration.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=16351504&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Estimates associated with nutrients and phytochemicals were attenuated after adjustment for total vegetable intake. Nevertheless, our results support the hypothesis that a phytochemical-rich, plant-based diet is of importance in reducing risks of hormone-related neoplasms.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12149159&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
Phytotherapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

* Gerber GS.

Section of Urology, University of Chicago, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, MC 6038, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. [e-mail]

Phytotherapy has become a more popular treatment option among American men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The most popular herbal agent is saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), which is derived from the berry of the American dwarf palm tree. Pygeum africanum and beta-sitosterol are also used by many patients with BPH, either alone or in combination with saw palmetto. A significant limiting factor to our understanding of the use and effectiveness of phytotherapy is the lack of standardization of these products. Despite this lack of standardization and the variation in results that may be seen with herbal products, there is growing evidence from well-conducted clinical trials that phytotherapeutic agents may lead to subjective and objective symptom improvement beyond a placebo effect in men with BPH. In addition, histologic evidence has been presented demonstrating that saw palmetto causes atrophy and epithelial contraction within the prostate gland. Overall, it is likely that herbal therapy will continue to be used by a growing number of Americans to treat a variety of ailments. Physicians should attempt to remain open-minded regarding alternative approaches and educate themselves so that they may counsel patients in an informed and credible fashion.

PMID: 12149159

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=10958802&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum
1: J Nutr. 2000 Sep;130(9):2127-30.Click here to read Links
Phytosterols as anticancer dietary components: evidence and mechanism of action.

* Awad AB,
* Fink CS.

Department of Physical Therapy, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, USA.

Phytosterols (PS) or plant sterols are structurally similar to cholesterol. The most common PS are beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Epidemiologic and experimental studies suggest that dietary PS may offer protection from the most common cancers in Western societies, such as colon, breast and prostate cancer. This review summarizes the findings of these studies and the possible mechanisms by which PS offer this protection. These include the effect of PS on membrane structure and function of tumor and host tissue, signal transduction pathways that regulate tumor growth and apoptosis, immune function of the host and cholesterol metabolism by the host. In addition, suggestions for future studies to fill the gaps in our knowledge have been given.

PMID: 10958802

[mike_c]

1. if you have an enlarged prostate, you might want to decide...

...what length of time you can live with the symptoms before achieving relief, then take saw palmetto or other herbal remedies for that length of time. If it relieves your symptoms, then no worries. If not, you might consider reevaluating your situation at the end of that interval, i.e. no one should endure pain and discomfort just to make a point.

[Warpy]

2. Exactly. If you can manage herbal remedies

until it's time for surgery, go for it. Just be aware there is little to no quality control in herbal caps, that some companies have been found substituting herbs. Know your companies and be careful. Also let your doc know what herbs you are taking. Some of them do interact with medications.

Also be aware that the surgery is not terribly traumatic and very effective. It sounds a lot worse than it is, at least from what I've seen in practice. Hospitalization is only a day or two and recovery is quick. Most men have no ill aftereffects, although there is some minimal risk as there is with all surgeries and invasive procedures. You will not be able to show off your scar because it will all be internal, nothing on the surface.

Surgery is the best treatment when the symptoms get too annoying to cope with.

[didntvote4shrub]

5. My dad 74 had the surgery last year..

..after having "lived with it" so long he was going into kidney failure and ended up in the emergency room (...what IS it with men and going to the doctor, anyway?!).

Anyway the surgery was really a piece of cake for him, only in the hospital overnight, and he feels better than he has in years now that the toxins are actually getting flushed from his system for a change. I'd be sceptical of the pharma solution too -- the mechanical solution is time-tested, very, very widely done (not hard to find an experienced urologist), and has no side-effects.

[Warpy]

7. My ex FIL had it done almost 30 years ago

and sat in his hospital bed saying he wanted to kick himslf around the room for putting it off so long.

It's an old, tried and true op and nothing at all to fear.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. No point.... I just happen to know that the side effects associated

with toxic drugs outweigh their benefits in many cases. Phytotherapy typically posesses side benefits. I'll take those instead.

1: Planta Med. 2006 Jul;72(9):807-13. Epub 2006 Jun 19.Click here to read Links
Extracts from Pygeum africanum and Other Ethnobotanical Species with Antiandrogenic Activity.

* Schleich S,
* Papaioannou M,
* Baniahmad A,
* Matusch R.

Institut fur Pharmazeutische Chemie, Philipps-Universitat Marburg, Marburg, Germany.

Extracts from PYGEUM AFRICANUM, SERENOA REPENS and CUCURBITA PEPO are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). The activity of the androgen receptor (AR) is known to control growth of the prostate. Here, we examined extracts of these plants for their antiandrogenic activity using an AR responsive reporter gene assay for drug discovery.

A selective dichloromethane extract from the stem barks of PYGEUM AFRICANUM revealed the highest antiandrogenic effect. Bioactivity-directed fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of N-butylbenzenesulfonamide (NBBS) indicating that extracts of the stem bark of P. AFRICANUM harbour androgen antagonistic activity. This compound may provide a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of BPH and human PCa. AR:human androgen receptor BPH:benign prostate hyperplasia C. pep: CUCURBITA PEPOIPSS:international prostate symptom score NBBS: N-butylbenzenesulfonamide P. africanum: PYGEUM AFRICANUMPCa:prostate cancer QoL:quality of life R1881:methyltrienolone RLU:relative light units S. repens: SERENOA REPENS.

PMID: 16783690

[Double T]

4. Agreed, there are plenty of over-the-counter substitutes.......

at the health food store to correct an enlarged prostate problem, without any adverse side effects.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

6. ANYTHING pharma has to spend that much money

to sell is bound to suck on some level.

[BuddhaGirl]

8. my husband has taken this for several years

now, and has found some relief:




It is made by NOW...a very reputable supplement company.

http://www.nowfoods.com/index.php?action=itemdetail&item_id=3128

[HysteryDiagnosis]

9. Very reputable indeed..... started by an M.D. who decided to

read "other research" much to his surprise I'd imagine. For those lurkers who may think that the sterols/stanols contained in such products may be "dangerous" consider what the FDA says about them with regard to your ticker.

T00-40 Print Media: Ruth Welch, 202-205-4144
September 5, 2000
Consumer Inquiries 888-INFOFDA

FDA AUTHORIZES NEW CORONARY HEART DISEASE HEALTH CLAIM FOR PLANT STEROL AND PLANT STANOL ESTERS

The FDA has authorized use of labeling health claims about the role of plant sterol or plant stanol esters in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) for foods containing these substances. This interim final rule is based on FDA's conclusion that plant sterol esters and plant stanol esters may reduce the risk of CHD by lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Coronary heart disease, one of the most common and serious forms of cardiovascular disease, causes more deaths in the U.S. than any other disease. Risk factors for CHD include high total cholesterol levels and high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol.

This new health claim is based on evidence that plant sterol or plant stanol esters may help to reduce the risk of CHD. Plant sterols are present in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, and other plant sources. Plant stanols occur naturally in even smaller quantities from some of the same sources. For example, both plant sterols and stanols are found in vegetable oils.

Foods that may qualify for the health claim based on plant sterol ester content include spreads and salad dressings. Among the foods that may qualify for claims based on plant stanol ester content are spreads, salad dressings, snack bars, and dietary supplements in softgel form.

Foods that carry the claim must also meet the requirements for low saturated fat and low cholesterol, and must also contain no more than 13 grams of total fat per serving and per 50 grams. However, spreads and salad dressings are not required to meet the limit for total fat per 50 grams if the label of the food bears a disclosure statement referring consumers to the Nutrition Facts section of the label for information about fat content. In addition, except for salad dressing and dietary supplements, the food must contain at least 10% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) or Daily Reference Value (DRV) for vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium, protein, or fiber. FDA is also requiring, consistent with other health claims to reduce the risk of CHD, that the claim state that plant sterol and plant stanol esters should be consumed as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Scientific studies show that 1.3 grams per day of plant sterol esters or 3.4 grams per day of plant stanol esters in the diet are needed to show a significant cholesterol lowering effect. In order to qualify for this health claim, a food must contain at least 0.65 grams of plant sterol esters per serving or at least 1.7 grams of plant stanol esters per serving. The claim must specify that the daily dietary intake of plant sterol esters or plant stanol esters should be consumed in two servings eaten at different times of the day with other foods.

An example of a health claim about the relationship between plant sterol esters and reduced risk of heart disease is:

Foods containing at least 0.65 grams per serving of plant sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 1.3 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of supplies ____ grams of plant sterol esters.

An example of a health claim about the relationship between plant stanol esters and reduced risk of heart disease is:

Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include two servings of foods that provide a daily total of at least 3.4 grams of plant stanol esters in two meals may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of supplies ___ grams of plant stanol esters.