Go natural to keep your prostate healthy The Europeans have been way ahead of us on the use of saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Since there's no loss of libido or sexual function with saw palmetto and it works so well to alleviate BPH symptoms, why wouldn't patients and doctors choose the herbal product? Why haven't American doctors taken up the cudgel and fought for better and safer passage for their patients? And surely-even taking the "need" to protect drug company profits into consideration-there will be an explosive increase in the use of saw palmetto for BPH now that the bible of the medical plumbers, the Journal of Urology (JU), has come out unequivocally for using it as the treatment of choice in early BPH. The JU study was the first American one to prove the efficacy of a saw palmetto "blend," as the authors called it. The blend was a combination of saw palmetto, nettle root, and pumpkin seed oil. It is somewhat of a mystery how palmetto works. It doesn't cause hormonal changes, which is why Proscar works-and destroys your sex life. Let me modify that. It works a little, sort of, and destroys your ability, or even desire for sex. Urine flow tests prove unequivocally that palmetto is the superior product. If you are having serious problems with your right of passage (like pain or bleeding), I recommend you see a urologist. BUT, if you have no other signs of disease of the prostate, you can give palmetto a try without seeing a urologist. If it works, and your urine flow is normal again, then passing on the urologist will save you time, misery, and money. Saw palmetto is available just about everywhere these days, and the other two ingredients in the "blend" used in the study--nettle root and pumpkin seed oil--are available in most health food stores. Follow the dosage recommendations for the brand you choose. Shakin' up the mainstream,
Dr. William Campbell Douglass II, MD | 
