Scientists from Valensa International tested market samples labelled saw palmetto extract from different suppliers and found all samples were masquerading as authentic extract derived from ripened saw palmetto berries, as published in a recent report. The tests were carried out using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) monograph testing protocols.
Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) can be used as an ingredient for maintaining normal prostate function and relieving some lower urinary tract symptoms associated with ageing in men. The saw palmetto is indigenous to Florida and annually produces a fruit (commonly called a ‘berry’). The ripe, dried berries are processed by Valensa with supercritical CO2 to isolate the lipidosterolic extract. But as the scientists found, not all of the extracts on the market are legitimate.
The analyses evaluated the chemical profiles of four dietary supplement ingredients, one of which was USPlus by Valensa, which is verified under the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Ingredient Verification Program for Dietary Ingredients (IVP-DI).
“Our findings were troubling, but not altogether surprising,” said Stephen Hill, VP, Product Management and Technology. “We know that un-ripe saw palmetto berries which are crushed into a powder and encapsulated are not an effective supplement for men’s health, because they simply don’t have the correct concentration of fatty acids, but imitation extracts present the same issue in the marketplace.”
Therefore, Hill said this study focused on other brands claiming to be lipidosterolic extract. “Among the extracts studied, only USPlus contained the complete fatty acid, phytosterol and long-chain alcohol profile meeting the USP monograph, which we fully disclosed in our analysis. We found each of the adulterated versions to contain undeclared lower-cost oils.”
Hill offered the following tips for spotting #sham’ palmetto: consumers should look for the USP verification logo, and any verification the product is ‘Made in USA,’ as berries grown anywhere else are unlikely to be legitimate. He also suggests to look for extract or powdered extract, instead of milled berry powder. “Capsules containing milled berry powder do not have the concentration or dosage power to provide the same benefit as an authentic extract,” he said.
