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Extracts of the berries of saw palmetto, a small palm tree native to the southeastern U.S., are used widely to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In this randomized trial conducted in California, 225 men with moderate-to-severe symptoms of BPH received either saw palmetto extract (160 mg twice daily) or placebo. Patients were not permitted to use α-blocking drugs or 5α-reductase inhibitors during the trial.
During 1 year of treatment, no significant differences were noted between saw palmetto recipients and placebo recipients in the two primary outcomes — mean American Urologic Association symptom scores and peak urinary flow rate. In addition, no differences were seen in secondary endpoints, such as quality of life scores, sexual fun…