 | | October 2007
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Top herbs for prostate health  
According to Men's Health Network, a full 50% of men will develop one of three prostate diseases - enlarged prostate, prostate cancer or inflammation of the prostate - or may even have more than one. The good news: Herbs can help! Here are recent research findings about four such herbs proven to promote prostate health:
Half of all men will suffer prostate problems, but there are safe, natural options available. |
. Saw palmetto: This well studied herb appears to ease the symptoms of enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The most common prostate health problem, BPH is a non-cancerous condition that makes it difficult and uncomfortable to urinate. One study of men with moderate BPH found that symptom scores were significantly reduced in men who took 160 mg of saw palmetto twice daily for six months, compared to a placebo group. A separate study found that saw palmetto may delay the progression of mild symptoms of bladder outlet obstruction into BPH. In the case of prostate cancer, saw palmetto may be used for hormonal support - but only under medical supervision.
. Pygeum: A meta-analysis of 18 different trials involving more than 1,500 patients with BPH found that the herb pygeum reduced residual urine volume by 24% compared to placebo and increased peak urine flow by 23%. Pygeum may also help alleviate the symptoms of bacterial and nonbacterial prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate gland, some preliminary evidence suggests.
. Pumpkin seed extract: Especially in combination with saw palmetto, this herb may improve urinary flow and decrease frequency of urination in men with BPH. In one study, 2,245 patients suffering from early stages of BPH received daily one to two capsules of pumpkin seed extract. After 12 weeks, prostate symptoms improved significantly, as did quality of life scores. The researchers concluded the herb extract "facilitates an efficient improvement of BPH symptoms, especially in early stages."
. Flaxseed: According to a study at Duke University Medical Center, flaxseed may help slow the growth of prostate tumours. About 160 men, all scheduled to have their prostates removed, were divided into four groups, of which two received flaxseed daily (one group in combination with a low-fat diet). After the men's prostates were removed, the researchers found that the cancer cells of patients who took flaxseed developed about 30 to 40% slower than the cells of those who didn't take flaxseed.
In summary, herbal supplements are well worth exploring for prostate problems. Science as well as tradition point to their usefulness in enhancing prostate health.
A "power pill" for men and women? Â
Pycnogenol, or French maritime pine bark extract, is useful in treating erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and premenopausal symptoms in women, research shows. In a Bulgarian study, 50 patients with mild to moderate ED received a placebo or a combination of L-arginine and Pycnogenol. The men reported their sexual function in diaries during the one-month treatment period.
Both sexes enjoyed multiple benefits from taking Pycnogenol |
In the men who received the active supplement, erectile function was restored to normal. As well, intercourse frequency doubled, testosterone levels increased and cholesterol levels decreased, as did blood pressure. The researchers concluded that the combination "is a promising alternative to treat mild to moderate ED."
A Taiwanese study also focused on Pycnogenol, this time as a possible antidote to premenopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.
Pycnogenol had already been found in clinical trials to alleviate menstrual pain and reduce hyperactivity, so the researchers wondered if it would also prove useful at premenopause.
The answer was yes. Women receiving 200 mg of Pycnogenol daily found that all of their premenopausal symptoms improved. So did their antioxidative status, a measure of health-protecting antioxidants in the body; and LDL/HDL ratio, a cholesterol level scale that predicts risk of cardiovascular disease. In total, about 150 women completed the placebo-controlled study, which relied on a questionnaire to track the occurrence of premenopausal symptoms.
Neither study found Pycnogenol supplementation to result in unwanted side effects.
Mineral linked to strength in elderly Â
Low blood levels of selenium were associated with poor muscle strength in a study of older adults living in Italy.
An international team of researchers measured selenium levels as well as hip flexion, grip, and knee extension strength in a cross-sectional analysis of 891 Tuscan men and women age 65 and up. Men and women in the lowest 25% of strength measurements were considered to have poor muscle strength.
Participants in the lowest versus the highest group of blood selenium levels were found to be at higher risk of poor hip, knee and grip strength.
"Low plasma selenium is independently associated with poor skeletal muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults in Tuscany," the researchers concluded.
Selenium, an essential mineral and potent antioxidant, was already known to play an important role in muscle function; until this study, however, the relationship between selenium levels in the blood and muscle strength in elderly adults had not been addressed.
Natural solutions for healing bedsores Â
Pressure ulcers, or bedsores, may benefit from supplements such as arginine and aloe vera, new research suggests.
Bedsores can develop quickly, worsen rapidly and are often difficult to heal. |
In an Australian study, 16 in-patients with pressure ulcers were divided into three groups. One group received a standard hospital diet. A second group received a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements. A third group received a standard diet plus two high-protein/energy supplements containing additional L-arginine (9 g), vitamin C (500 mg) and zinc (30 mg).
After the three-week study period, only the patients who had received L-arginine, vitamin C and zinc experienced a significant improvement in pressure ulcer healing.
The capacity of aloe vera to enhance leg ulcer healing is demonstrated in a case report involving a 53-year-old farmer who had been involved in a car accident and had a history of deep vein thrombosis. An ulcer in his right leg had not healed in 160 days with conventional therapy.
Aloe vera was then introduced. The ulcer was dressed twice daily with a gel containing aloe vera leaves mixed with a preservative lubricant. By the third week of this regime, the ulcer had become smaller and the pain had decreased. The improvements continued up to day 58, when the ulcer finally closed.
Aloe vera may work in part by stimulating macrophage activity, the case report notes. A macrophage is a type of white blood cell that enhances immunity.
Ease kids' constipation, dermatitis Â
Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms known to improve digestion. Now it appears they may also ease childhood constipation, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms in kids with dermatitis.
Frequency of bowel movements increased in kids with constipation after probiotics. |
In a four-week pilot study, 20 constipated children ranging in age from four to 16 received a daily mixture of probiotics containing bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
The frequency of bowel movements (BMs) per week increased from 2.0 to 3.8 during the study period. In 12 children presenting with fewer than three BMs per week, BMs per week increased significantly from 1.0 to 3.0.
Number of fecal incontinence episodes per week decreased significantly in the entire group, as did the presence of abdominal pain. No side effects were reported.
Although further research is necessary, "this pilot study shows that a mixture of probiotics has positive effects on symptoms of constipation," the researchers concluded.
Separate research from Germany looked at probiotics in 41 children with moderate and severe atopic dermatitis, a chronic skin disease marked by itchy, inflamed skin.
During Lactobacillus supplementation, the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms significantly decreased - to 10% cent during active treatment from 39% during the placebo period. As well, intestinal barrier function improved.
"Impairment of the intestinal mucosal barrier appears to be involved in the [development] of atopic dermatitis," the researchers concluded. "The study suggests that probiotic supplementation may stabilize the intestinal barrier function and decrease gastrointestinal symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis."
Pumpkin: a diabetic's perfect food? Â
Chinese researchers report that compounds from pumpkins could potentially replace or drastically reduce the daily insulin injections endured by many diabetics. They found that pumpkin extract promotes the regeneration of damaged pancreatic cells, boosting levels of insulin-producing beta cells and insulin.
The research group, led by Tao Xia, found that diabetic rats fed the extract had only 5% less insulin and 8% fewer beta cells compared to normal healthy rats.
Xia says, "Pumpkin extract is potentially a very good product for pre-diabetic persons, as well as those who have already developed diabetes." While insulin injections will be necessary for some patients, the pumpkin extract could drastically reduce the amount needed.
Pumpkin's protective effect is thought to be due to both antioxidants and D-chiro-inositol, a molecule that mediates insulin activity.
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 | Goodbye to gambling urges? | A health supplement may help pathological gamblers break the habit, say University of Minnesota researchers. "We were able to reduce people's urges to gamble," said Dr. Jon Grant about the small study on N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an amino acid known as an immune booster and detoxifying agent. In the eight-week trial, 27 people took increasing doses of NAC. "At the end of the trial, 60% of the participants reported fewer urges to gamble," said the researchers. In a second double-blind stage with only those who responded to NAC previously, 83% who stayed with NAC continued to report fewer urges, while nearly 72% of those who were switched to a placebo pill went back to gambling.
What's hot: Stevia
What is it?
A sweet-tasting plant that is over 100 times sweeter than sugar.
Why take it?
As a healthy sugar alternative for anyone, but especially diabetics.
What's the research?
Stevia has a negligible effect on blood sugar, and may actually improve glucose tolerance. Research shows that stevia may also help inhibit tooth decay, treat obesity and reduce blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic in hypertensive people.
 | Hops helps sleep aid | A recent study suggests that adding hops to valerian, a popular sleep-inducing herb, may improve its effectiveness. Swiss researchers looked at people suffering insomnia, particularly the amount of time it takes to get to sleep (sleep latency) after one month on a placebo, a single valerian extract or a valerian and hops combination. The amount of valerian was identical in the two active preparations. The researchers noted that the combination was "significantly superior to both valerian and the placebo in reducing the sleep latency."
 | Proven vision protection | In the latest findings from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), lutein and zeaxanthin were once again linked to a lower risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the number one leading cause of blindness in the elderly. From data on 4,519 participants aged 60 to 80 years, researchers found that "higher dietary intake of lutein/zeaxanthin was independently associated with decreased likelihood of having neovascular AMD."
| Sea buckthorn for healthy heart | Researchers from the University of Turku, Finland, report that sea buckthorn berries may help reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease. A study involving 233 healthy volunteers indicated a sea buckthorn-supplemented group showed a significant decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, compared to subjects in a placebo group. The study authors conclude that "a reductive effect on CRP, a marker of inflammation, and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, was detected."
| Vitamin helps prevent clots | Vitamin E may have a role in reducing the risk of life-threatening blood clots, according to new research. Deep vein clots and pulmonary embolism from blood clots are known collectively as venous thromboembolism (VTE). In almost 40,000 women aged 45 and older who took either 600 IU of vitamin E or a placebo every other day, those who took vitamin E were 21% less likely to develop VTE than women who did not; the reduction was 44% among the women who had a history of clots.
 | Organic best for breast milk! | The breast milk of mothers eating organic meat and dairy products has higher levels of beneficial fatty acids and an overall improved quality, according to new research. In particular, levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are notably higher. "In view of the accumulating evidence [of] various positive effects of CLA on human health, in particular at a very young age, the present results are highly interesting," the Swiss researchers noted. CLA has been studied for its antioxidant, anticancer and bone-building properties, among others.
Mothers who eat apples during pregnancy may help their child avoid the risk of asthma.
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