Pygeum helps prevent and reverse BPH

• Reduces inflammation
• Reduces prostate size²
• Promotes normal urination²
• Rids the prostate of cholesterol deposits that can occur with BPH
• Significantly ameliorates the uncomfortable symptoms associated with BPH including frequent urination and abdominal heaviness²

Pygeum africanum is an evergreen tree that grows in the mountainous forests of Africa. European doctors have been prescribing this bark extract for years to help preserve prostate health and promote a man's overall well being. In fact, in France and other countries, phytotherapeutic preparations (nutritional compounds derived from plants) such as Pygeum are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of BPH. In Asia, Africa, and India, phytotherapeutic medicine is considered a first-line treatment for BPH and has been utilized effectively for centuries.³

The powdered bark was traditionally used as a tea for relief of bladder and urinary disorders. The investigative work that European scientists did in determining the active constituents in the bark led to the development of the modern lipophilic (fat soluble) extracts used today. Thanks to the hundreds of studies that have been done in the past thirty years, we know that Pygeum is highly effective in helping to maintain a healthy prostate.

Active ingredients

Pygeum contains three active compounds that aid prostate health:⁴

• Pentacyclic triterpenoids (ursolic and oleanic acids) help inhibit inflammation, reduce swelling of the prostate, and increase the integrity of small veins and capillaries.
• Phystosterols (beta-sitosterol) act as an anti-inflammatory. Beta-sitosterol has also been shown to reduce the normally elevated levels of prostaglandins in patients with BPH.
• Ferulic esters (docosanol and tetracosanol) help rid the prostate of any cholesterol deposits that typically accompany prostate enlargement.⁵

Recently, numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the usefulness of Pygeum for BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), including reduction of the frequency of nighttime urination,⁶ and the relief of other symptoms associated with BPH.⁷

Clinical studies

A review of 18 controlled clinical trials involving 1,562 men were analyzed and summarized in the 2004 edition of the Cochrane Review.⁸ (Cochrane Reviews synthesize the results from high-quality controlled trials relevant to clinical practice in order to help people make well informed decisions about healthcare.) The studies ranged from 30 to 122 days. Although none of the studies compared Pygeum to standard pharmaceuticals that block male hormones, the review found that when compared to placebo, Pygeum africanum greatly improved urologic symptoms and urine flow.
In fact, the men using Pygeum were more than twice as likely to report an improvement in overall symptoms. The need to get up during the night to urinate was reduced by 19%, residual urine volume or dribbling was reduced by 24%, and peak urine flow was increased by 23%.

The reviewers concluded that a standardized preparation of Pygeum africanum is a useful treatment option for men with lower urinary symptoms consistent with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Helps sexual dysfunction

An Italian study tested Pygeum on 18 patients who had sexual disorders, as well as chronic prostatitis and BPH. The patients, who received 200 mg per day, experienced significant improvement without any side effects.⁹

Quality and recommended dosage

Pygeum extracts range in potency and are usually standardized to a percentage of beta sitosterol. High quality European pharmaceutical grade Pygeum extracts typically contain from 2.5% to 13% beta sitosterol. So in the case of Pygeum, simply listing milligram amounts can be deceiving because a 260 mg amount of 2.5% extract has the same beta sitosterol as 50mg of a 13% extract. Conversely, 50 mg of a 2.5% will not be the same as a 50 mg of a 13% extract.

To make things worse, beta sitosterol is not the only active constituent in Pygeum. In fact, beta sitosterol is extracted from many different plants at a very small fraction of the cost. European Pygeum standards require the beta sitoserol content to be naturally occurring from the Pygeum itself, not added from other sources. The European standard assures you get all the actives found in Pygeum as proven in clinical studies.

Pygeum africanum has been shown to be safe and effective at dosages ranging from 50 mg twice a day to 200 mg once a day. A French study compared the efficacy and safety of Pygeum on 209 patients for 12 months, comparing it at 50 mg twice a day to 100 mg once a day. The double-blind test concluded that both dosages proved equally effective and safe at 2 months, and after 12 months the patients continued to improve.¹⁰

How safe is Pygeum?

There are no known drug interactions associated with Pygeum. In rare cases, stomach upset and nausea can occur.

Caution

Prostate conditions are usually benign, but if you have symptoms of BPH get a PSA test and examination by a doctor to rule out other complications. And don't be afraid to discuss the use of phytonutrients with your doctor. Print out this article and spread the word that Pygeum has been prescribed by European doctors for decades. The studies demonstrate that it works, and thousands of men will testify that it does indeed.  

Page 2 of 2 pages  < 1 2

References