Androbalance Saw Palmetto 320mg x 90 softgels (standardised CO2 extract >85% fatty acids and sterols)

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Androbalance Saw Palmetto is a pure encapsulation of Indena's 'Sabalselect®', a supercritical CO2 extract of the saw palmetto berry. The extract is presented in non-bovine softgels, each providing 320mg fatty acids and sterols for convenient once daily dosing.

Supercritical CO2 has extreme solvating power yet leaves behind no solvent residues, producing a pharmaceutical grade extract of extraordinary purity. This same extract has been selected by the NCCAM expert committee as the product of choice for the US National Institute of Health's major trial of saw palmetto in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Evidence Base:

Over 20 randomised clinical trials demonstrating efficacy for BPH (18 of which were double blinded) (222)
Two meta analyses (223,224) and numerous positive reviews (222,225,226,227,228,229,230) supporting efficacy
First randomised clinical trial demonstrating effectiveness in male pattern baldness was recently published (double blind and placebo controlled) (231)
Numerous research studies demonstrating cellular, molecular and biochemical bases for efficacy (232,233,234,235,236,237,238,239,240,241,242,243,244,245,246,247,248,249)
Approved by Germany's 'Commission E' expert panel as a safe and effective treatment for urinary symptoms arising from BPH (250)
Shown in clinical trials to be equally effective as finasteride (251) and the α adrenoceptor blocker tamsulosin (252) for alleviating urinary symptoms in BPH

This evidence pertains to pharmaceutical grade saw palmetto extracts standardised to not less than 85% fatty acids and sterols, given as 160mg twice daily or 320mg once daily (dose equivalence established by clinical trials) (253,254).

Indications:

1) Treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (222,223,224,250). These symptoms may include (255,256):

Dysuria (painful urination)
Nocturia (nocturnal urination)
Frequent urination
Urgency
Hesitancy
Weak stream
Terminal dribbling
Start/stop in urine stream
Incomplete emptying of the bladder

2) Male pattern baldness (231)

Mechanism of Action:

1) In BPH:

Inhibition of 5 alpha reductase (232,246), both types I and II (240,242,249), thereby lowering intra-prostatic levels of DHT
Inhibition of DHT binding to intraprostatic androgen receptors (235)
α adrenoceptor antagonism thereby relaxing bladder and urethral smooth muscle tone and aiding urinary outflow (241,257,258)
Intraprostatic anti-oestrogen activity, thereby inhibiting oestrogen stimulated prostate growth (233)
Anti-inflammatory action by blocking cycloxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways which are implicated in BPH (237,247,259)
Induction of apoptosis in epithelial and stromal cells (244)
Inhibition of prostate response to growth factors (238)
Inhibition of prostate growth stimulation by prolactin (234,245)

2) In male pattern baldness:

Inhibition of 5 alpha reductase (232,246), both types I and II (240,242,249)
Inhibition of androgen receptor binding by DHT (232)
Anti-inflammatory action (237,259) (inflammation within the hair follicle is now thought to be a major contributor to male pattern baldness) (260,261)

Saw palmetto's beneficial effects are achieved without any alterations in circulating levels of testosterone (262) or prostate specific antigen (PSA) (240,243,263).

Warnings & Contraindications:

BPH is not the only cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (264). Rule out differentials such as prostate cancer, urinary tract infections etc. with your Doctor prior to commencement of any therapy.
There is a possibility that saw palmetto could alter your requirements for hormone and α adrenoreceptor modulating medications. Check with your Doctor if you are taking any such medications.

£9.99