Size 60 Softgels

Adults take 2 softgels daily at meal time or as directed by a physician.

Vitamin E (as d-Alpha Tocopherol) 10 IU

With mixed tocopherols providing a minimum of:

d-gamma-tocopherol 90 mg

d-delta plus d-beta tocopherols 35 mg

Zinc (zinc gluconate) 10 mg

Selenium (from Se-methyl-L-selenocysteine) 200 mcg

Standardized Saw Palmetto extract (fruit) 320 mg

Supercritical CO2 extract, (85-95% fatty acids, 0.2% sterols)

Plant sterols (from soy) 150 mg

Standardized Nettle extract (root, 1% sterols) 120 mg

Pumpkin seed oil (cold pressed) 100 mg

Standardized Pygeum extract (bark, 13% total sterols) 50 mg

L-glycine 25 mg

L-alanine 25 mg

L-glutamic acid 25 mg

Lycopene (from Lyc-O-Mato) 15 mg

Lutein 5 mg

Gelatin (capsule), glycerin, water and caramel color.

Inactive Ingredients: Caramel, Gelatin, Glutamic acid, Glycerin, Glycine, Soy, Water

None reported

Not recommended for women.

Keep out of reach of children.

For optimal storage conditions, store in a cool, dry place.

The fat-soluble (liposterolic) extract of the saw palmetto berry has become the leading natural treatment for BPH. Numerous studies have yielded positive data regarding its clinical efficacy in decreasing the severity of symptoms associated with prostate changes. Saw palmetto appears to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to its more active form, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw palmetto also blocks DHT from binding in the prostate. Studies have used 320 mg per day of saw palmetto extract that is standardized to contain approximately 80 to 95% fatty acids. At least seven double-blind studies involving a total of about 500 people have compared the benefits of saw palmetto against placebo over a period of 1 to 3 months. In these studies, the herb significantly improved urinary flow rate and most other measures of prostate disease. A double-blind study followed 1,098 men who received either saw palmetto or the drug Proscar over a period of 6 months (unfortunately, there was no placebo group). The treatments were equally effective, but while Proscar lowered PSA levels and caused a slight worsening of sexual function on average, saw palmetto caused no significant side effects.

Prostatic secretions are known to contain a high concentration of zinc. Zinc accumulates in the muitochondria of prostate cells and effects the oxidation of citric acid. This in turn effects the Krchs cycle and the ability of the cell to produce energy. It is believed that this decrease in the prostate's ability to produce energy can lead to an inhibition of proliferation. Zinc may decrease prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels which in turn can affect the proliferation of prostate tissues. In one preliminary study, 19 men with benign prostatic hyperplasia took 150 mg of zinc daily for two months, and then 50 to 100 mg daily. In 74% of the men, the prostate became smaller.

Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) may increase urinary volume and the maximum flow rate of urine in men with early-stage BPH. It has been successfully combined with both saw palmetto and pygeum to treat BPH in double-blind trials. An appropriate amount appears to be 120 mg twice per day.

Pygeurn Africanum has been approved in Germany, France, and Italy as a remedy for BPH. Controlled studies published over the past 25 years have shown that pygeum is safe and effective for men with BPH of mild or moderate severity. These studies have used 50 to 100 mg of pygeum extract (standardized to contain 13% total sterols) twice per day. This herb contains three compounds that may help the prostate: pentacyclic triterpenoids, which have a diuretic action; phytosterols, which have anti-inflammatory activity; and ferulic esters, which help rid the prostate of any cholesterol deposits that accompany BPH.

Beta-sitosterol, a compound found in many edible plants, has also been found to be helpful for men with BPH. In one double-blind trial, 200 men with BPH received 20 mg of beta-sitosterol three times a day or a placebo for six months. Men receiving beta-sitosterol had a significant improvement in urinary flow and an improvement in symptoms, whereas no change was reported in men receiving the placebo. Another double-blind study reported similarly positive results using 130 mg per day of beta-sitosterol.

Extracts of Nettle root and leaf as well as extracts of Pygeurn Africanum have also been shown to decrease the severity of these symptoms. Both of these herbs appear to inhibit the growth and proliferation of prostatic cells.

Phytosterols, such as those found in extracts of pumpkin seeds have demonstrated positive effects on urine flow, and frequency of urination. Pumpkin seed oil has been used in combination with saw palmetto in two double-blind human studies to effectively reduce symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Animal studies have shown that pumpkin seed extracts may improve the function of the bladder and urethra; this might partially account for BPH symptom relief.

1. Emili E, Lo Cigno M, Petrone U. Clinical trial of a new drug for treating hypertrophy of the prostate (Permixon®) [in Italian]. Urologia. 1983;50:1042-1048.

2. Champault G, Patel JC, Bonnard AM. A double-blind trial of an extract of the plant Serenoa repens in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1984;18:461-462.

3. Tasca A, Barulli M, Cavazzana A, et al. Treatment of obstructive symptomatology caused by prostatic adenoma using an extract of Serenoa repens. Double-blind clinical study vs. placebo [in Italian]. Minerva Urol Nefrol. 1985;37:87-91.

4. Boccafoschi C, Annoscia S. Comparison of Serenoa repens extract with placebo by controlled clinical trial in patients with prostatic adenomatosis [in Italian]. Urologia. 1983;50:1257-1268.

5. Smith HR, Memon A, Smart CJ, et al. The value of Permixon® in benign prostatic hypertrophy. Br J Urol. 1986;58:36-40.

6. Descotes JL, Rambeaud JJ, Deschaseaux P, et al. Placebo-controlled evaluation of the efficacy and tolerability of Permixon® in benign prostatic hyperplasia after exclusion of placebo responders. Clin Drug Invest. 1995;9:291-297.

7. Mattei FM, Capone M, Acconcia A, et al. Serenoa repens extract in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy [in Italian]. Urologia. 1988;55:547-552.

8. Plosker GL, Brogden RN. Serenoa repens (Permixon®). A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic efficacy in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Drugs Aging. 1996;9:379-395.

9. Carraro JC, Raynaud JP, Koch G, et al. Comparison of phytotherapy (Permixon®) with finasteride in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia: a randomized international study of 1,098 patients. Prostate. 1996;29:231-240.

1.Chatelain. C.. Autet. W.. Brachman, F. U999 Comparison of once and twice daily dosage forms of Pygeum africanum extract in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a randomized, double-blind study, with long-term open label extension. Urology (1999);54:473-478.

2.Barlet A, Albrecht J, Aubert A, et al. Efficacy of Pygeum africanum extract in the treatment of micturational disorders due to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Evaluation of objective and subjective parameters. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial. Wein Klin Wochenschr 1990;102:667-73.

3.Andro M-C, Riffaud J-P. Pygeum africanum extract for the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A review of 25 years of published experience. Curr Ther Res 1995;56:796 [review].

4.Krzeski T, Kazón M, Borkowski A, et al. Combined extracts of Urtica dioica and Pygeum africanum in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: Double-blind comparison of two doses. Clin Ther 1993;15:1011-20.

5.Costello. L. C., Franklin, R. B. Novel role of zinc in the regulation of prostate citrate metabolism and its inplications in prostate cancer. Prostate (1998);35:285-96.

6.Hardell. L., Degerman. A.. Tomic, R.. Marklund. S Bergfors. M. levels of selenium in plasma and glutathionc peroxidase in erythrocytes in patients with prostate cancer or benign hyperplasia. Eur J. Cancer Prev (1995);4:91-95.

7.Lichius. i. J.. Muth, C. The inhibiting effects of Urtica dioica root extracts on expenimentally induced prostatic ltyperplasia in the mouse. Planta Med (l997):63:307-3 10.

8.Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 1995;345:1529-32.

9.Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of ß-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Urol 1997;80:427-32.

10.Damrau F. Benign prostatic hypertrophy: amino acid therapy for symptomatic relief. J Am Geriatr Soc 1962;10:426-30.

11.Feinblatt HM, Gant JC. Palliative treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: value of glycine, alanine, glutamic acid combination. J Maine Med Assoc 1958;46:99-102.

This is a statement of nutritional support. This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to medically diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your health care provider before using any supplement.