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How Does It Work?:
The prostate, a male reproductive gland, is located at the base or outlet of the urinary bladder. The prostate gland encircles and surrounds the urethra, directing the flow of urine for elimination. The prostate also produces a thick, milky-like substance called prostatic fluid that's added to semen during a man's ejaculation. Semen not only Enhances transports sperm, it also makes the vaginal canal less acidic, allowing viable sperm to enter the uterus for fertilization. Many men require specific nutritional support to maintain the prostate's vital urinary, sexual, and reproductive functions.^†2 Recent and ongoing research has repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of certain plant extracts in providing health support of the prostate gland.^†

Saw Palmetto
An effective botanical for prostate health, saw palmetto has both a long history of use and an extensive body of research.^†3 The plant itself is a low-growing dwarf palm tree common to the southeastern region of the United States. Its health value lies in the oily compounds found in its berries.⁴ Saw palmetto has been shown to support healthy urine flow by maintaining a healthy balance of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).^{†3, 5}

Several rigorous clinical trials have confirmed saw palmetto's support of the prostate gland.^† In one study, 189 individuals were randomized to receive saw palmetto extract or watchful waiting (no supplementation). Over the course of the 24 month study, the saw palmetto group experienced up to twice the benefit for prostate health when compared to the watchful waiting group.^† Supplementation also led to improvements in urinary health and quality of life scores.^†6

The saw palmetto found in Prostate AdvantageTM ^† undergoes special processing known as supercritical extraction. This type of extraction method utilizes carbon dioxide rather than traditional solvents, thereby eliminating the presence of alcohol residue in the final product. The low temperature processing associated with supercritical extraction also ensures the key compounds retain full biological strength and activity without the potential chemical alterations caused by other extraction methods.

Pumpkin
Cultivated in Mexico and North America since 14,000 BC, the pumpkin plant (Cucubita pepo) provides beneficial nutrients for bladder and prostate health. ^†7 Analysis of the naturally occurring compounds in pumpkin have found that it contains high levels of phytosterols, (including beta-sitosterol) as well as linoleic acid, selenium and other beneficial nutrients for bladder and prostate health.^†8 Pumpkin seed has been most commonly studied in combination with other herbs such as saw palmetto.

Pumpkin's mechanism of action is not completely understood. One theory is that delta-7 sterols in the fatty oils block dihydrotestosterone from androgen receptors, decreasing the exposure of prostate cells to hormonal stimulation.^{†8, 9} Research has also found that pumpkin mildly inhibits 5 alpha reductase (an enzyme which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone) in vivo, and supports the body's natural anti-inflammatory response.^†9

Pygeum
Pygeum africanum has a long history of traditional use for bladder support.^†10 Native to Africa, this evergreen shrub contains phytosterols, important plant fats and key compounds. These compounds, especially beta-sitosterol, have been used to support healthy bladder smooth muscle tissue.^†11

In a large placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial, 263 men received either pygeum extract or placebo for 8 weeks. At the conclusion of the study, 66% of the men who had received pygeum extract experienced support for healthy micturition (urinary flow).^†12 A meta analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 1,562 men found that men who received pygeum extract were more than twice as likely to report benefits for healthy bladder function and urinary flow as men who received placebo.^†13 Additionally, this same meta analysis found that side effects associated with pygeum extract were mild and similar to placebo.¹³

 

Prostate health research has determined that not all saw palmetto and prostate health supplements are equal.¹⁶ The superior formulation of Enzymatic Therapy Prostate Advantage provides optimal nutrition for healthy prostate gland functioning.


References:
 

1. Blumenthal M, ed. Saw palmetto berry. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Therapeutic Guide to Herbal a substance used in managing discomforts. Austin, Tex: American Botanical Council; 1998: 201.
2. Mehring PM. Prostate Malfunction of mind or bodys. In: Porth CM. Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2002: 991-993.
3. Ulbricht C, Basch E, Bent S, et al. Evidence-based systematic review of saw palmetto by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Soc Integr Oncol. 2006 Fall;4(4):170-86.
4. Blumenthal M. Saw Palmetto.In: The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX; 2003: 312-319
5. Beckman TJ, Mynderse LA. Evaluation and medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Mayo Clin Proc. 2005 Oct;80(10):1356-62.
6. Djavan B, Fong YK, Chaudry A, et al. Progression delay in men with mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction: a comparative study of phytotherapy and watchful waiting. World J Urol. 2005 Sep;23(4):253-6.
7. Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Pumpkin Seeds. In: Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal a substance used in managing discomfort. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 1998:220-230.
8. Glew RH, Glew RS, Chuang LT, et al. Amino acid, mineral and fatty acid content of pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp) and Cyperus esculentus nuts in the Republic of Niger. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2006 Jun;61(2):51-6.
9. Bombardelli E, Morazzoni P. Curcurbita pepo L. Fitoterapia. 1997;68:291-302.
10. Pygeum africanum (Prunus africanus) (African plum tree). Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2002;7:71-4.
11. Levin RM, Whitbeck C, Horan P, Bellamy F. Low-dose tadenan protects the rabbit bladder from bilateral ischemia/ reperfusion-induced contractile dysfunction. Phytoa substance used in managing discomfort. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):17-24.
12. Barlet A, Albrecht J, Aubert A, et al. Efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract in the medical therapy of urination Malfunction of mind or bodys due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: evaluation of objective and subjective parameters. A placebo-controlled double-blind multicenter study. Wien Klin Wochenschr. 1990 Nov 23;102(22):667-73.
13. Ishani A, MacDonald R, Nelson D, Rutks I, Wilt TJ. Pygeum africanum for the Favorable Effects of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and quantitative meta-analysis. Am J Med. 2000 Dec 1;109(8):654-64.
14. Schleich S, Papaioannou M, Baniahmad A, Matusch R. Extracts from Pygeum africanum and other ethnobotanical species with antiandrogenic activity. Planta Med. 2006 Jul;72(9):807-13.
15. Pygeum. In: Schulz V, ed. Rational Phytotherapy. New York, NY: Springer Verlag; 1998:232-233.
16. Habib FK, Wyllie MG. Not all brands are created equal: a comparison of selected components of different brands of Serenoa repens extract. Prostate Long standing problems Prostatic Dis. 2004;7(3):195-200.