A. Vogel

Prostaforce

Capsules

In case of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - based on Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens).

Serenoa Repens helps:

• frequent urination during the day and at night
• incomplete emptying of the bladder
• incontinence
• the thrust and contraction during urination

Why is it used

Saw Palmetto is called in Latin Serenoa Repens or Sabal Serrulata. The Indians of Florida, the Seminole, used this dwarf palm for several purposes. As food or as a medicinal plant, using the leaves and stem. Traditionally, its berries have been used as a tonic for the male reproductive system. It has a reputation for being a sexual stimulant. In addition, its berries are used for urinary disorders and are considered as an aid for women's fertility. Furthermore, the berries have been mainly used for the treatment of inflammations of the upper respiratory tract, such as cough and bronchitis. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a disorder that affects many men in their 40s. Around 50, 50% of men have symptoms of hyperplasia, the main ones being decreased urine flow, frequent urination and frequent urination at night, difficulty in completely emptying the bladder and residual urine in the bladder itself. Symptoms can disrupt quality of life, and an enlarged prostate could lead to serious complications, such as infections and kidney failure. Contrary to popular belief, prostatic hyperplasia is not swelling (hypertrophy) but an increase in the number of cells (hyperplasia) of the prostate. No treatment, apart from surgery, can reduce the number of cells. However, symptoms can be relieved effectively and the progression of hyperplasia can be reduced or even stopped. The clinical picture identifies many elements such as, inflammation of the tissues, increased estrogen and spasms of the sphincter. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is due, in part, to a transformation of testosterone into dihydrostosterone, a ten times stronger hormone, by the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Dihydrostosterone is so powerful that it stimulates cell division in the prostate.

Serenoa Repens is by far the most studied plant and the most effective treatment for the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia . It contains many active components, some water-soluble such as flavonoids, tannins and sugars and others fat-soluble such as carotene, sterols, fatty acids and fatty alcohols. These fat-soluble molecules have been shown to be more active in the treatment. The extracts in the studies were standardized for 80-95% of the soluble components. Palm extracts work in different ways. It inhibits 5-alpha reductase, thereby reducing dihydrostosterone. This appears to be a specific effect on the prostate. It also has an antagonistic effect on dihydrostosterone, at the level of receptors, reducing the impact of cellular dihydrostosterone.

It also has an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and lipo-oxygenase (enzymes responsible for the synthesis of inflammation factors, such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes). Furthermore, serenoa repens has an antispasmodic effect on the urinary tract, treating its symptoms. However, it does not change the levels of the hormone in circulation, which indicates its effectiveness at the cellular level. A recent study on Serenoa Repens shows that the extracts of this plant inhibit the proliferation of prostate cells, as well as the processes of inflammation. The European Cooperative Society recognizes the benefits in cases of mild to moderate symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia.