Clinical study shows quality of life improvements for men with enlarged prostates through use of standardized saw palmetto extract

Image | adobe.stock/Jahirul Islam

A study recently published in The Canadian Journal of Urology¹, revealed interesting findings regarding Valensa International’s USPlus, a standardized USP-verified saw palmetto extract. The study sought to investigate how USPlus may be a tool for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) sufferers and how saw palmetto extract could be used to helping lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Researchers utilized 45 healthy men with an average age of 55 years old who were dealing with BPH and LUTS. Participants were given 320 mg of USPlus over the course of 12 weeks.² To measure the data, researchers looked at the maximum flow rate, mean voided volume, and voiding time during the beginning to form a baseline and then at weeks six and 12. Additionally, participants were measured by using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Quality of Life (QoL) score.

At the end of the study, researchers saw that participants felt improvements in their conditions. According to the press release,² 65% of men experienced an improvement in IPSS and 100% felt an improvement in their QoL after 12 weeks. Other symptoms that improved were that 50% of men had less straining with urination and a stronger stream within six weeks. 59% of men experienced better control at holding their urine and didn’t need to urinate as often.

Lead investigator Dr. Bilal Chughtai, Department of Urology, Northwell Health, mentioned in the press release,² “This study shows really promising clinical evidence for the use of standardized USP-verified saw palmetto for men suffering with BPH.”

“An enlarged prostate is very uncomfortable for men and can be disruptive to due to lower urinary tract symptoms and its impact on quality of life for both them and their partners," said Umasudhan Palaniswamy, Valensa chief executive officer.² "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, and while there are several proven pharmaceutical solutions to this issue, three-to-four million men in the U.S. 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.”

Palaniswamy additionally explained,² “There is a $600 million market to address the urinary health of men who can benefit from a proven solution like USPlus. This latest study demonstrates the value of supplementing with USPlus to promote better urinary flow, bladder and prostate health for men 40 years and older. It is important to note that while saw palmetto extracts are plentiful on the market, only saw palmetto oil extracts that meet the USP and EU monographs have shown consistent effectiveness in human clinical studies, unlike inexpensive crushed berry powder which has no clinical data.”

References

1. Winograd, J.; Lama, J.; Codelia-Anjum, A.; Bhojani, N.; Elterman, D.S.; Zorn, K.C.; Margolis, E.; Brahmbhatt, J.; Gonzalez, R.; Chughtai, B. Measuring the efficaycy of Serenoa repens (USPlus) extract with mobile uroflowmetry. The Canadian Journal of Urology. 2024, 31 (16). 12053-12059. PMID: 39675037
2. USPlus®: Backed by published clinical science https://valensa.com/usplus-backed-by-published-clinical-science/ (accessed Feb 21, 2025).