A novel study has revealed the potential of Valensa International's saw palmetto extract, USPlus, in supporting urinary and bladder health.
The trial, which is published in the Canadian Journal of Urology, found that supplementation with USPlus can reduce inflammation in the lower urinary tract and prostate, leading to reduced symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia.
The results of this study highlight the potential of saw palmetto in supporting men's health.
Combatting lower urinary tract symptoms
Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)— or prostate enlargement — is an uncomfortable but common condition that affects around one in two middle aged men.
Through the swelling of the prostate, men may experience difficulty urinating, trouble holding their urine in and a reduction in quality of life.
Therefore, Valensa International wanted to test if daily supplementation with its saw palmetto extract could alleviate the symptoms of BPH.
To achieve this, 45 healthy middle aged men were given 320mg of USPlus for a period of 12 weeks.
Baseline, 6 and 12 week measures of bladder-related voided volume, voided time and maximum flow rate were measured — as well as each participant's International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life score.
Saw palmetto for improved prostate health
Through this methodology, researchers at the Department of Urology found that participants experienced "significant improvements in uroflowmetry parameters", with increased urinary flow and reduced symptoms of urgency and frequency.
Of the 45 men assessed, 65% experienced an improvement in their IPSS score, while 100% noted an improvement in their quality of life while taking USPlus.
Notably, one in three experienced these results within six weeks of supplementation, suggesting the ingredient can benefit men in a short period of time.
Half of the participants also reported a 'stronger' stream and a reduction in straining when attempting to urinate, while 59% experienced a reduction in the urge to urinate frequently.
These findings suggest that saw palmetto could be an effective nutraceutical for reducing BPH symptoms in men with moderate symptoms.
Capitalising on the men's health market
“An enlarged prostate is very uncomfortable for men and can have a profound impact on quality of life for both them and their partner," commented Umasudhan Palaniswamy, CEO of Valensa.
"Living with frequent and urgent urination can even cause men to wake up repeatedly in the middle of the night to urinate, which can be detrimental to their overall health. While there are several proven pharmaceutical solutions to this issue, three-to-four million men in the US
who suffer from urinary and bladder health issues do not want to go that route. Instead, they want something that is natural, safe and with proven efficacy.”
The men's urinary health market is currently worth USD $600m, and although a range of saw palmetto extracts are available for this indication, Umasudhan recommends that brands look for ingredients that meet the USP and EU monograph requirements.
“USPlus is made from a patented extraction process that yields more of the active constituents than other competitive saw palmetto
ingredients and meets the strict standard of purity and quality from USP," Palaniswamy concluded.