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Healthwatch

Can Saw Palmetto Treat An Enlarged Prostate?

~3.3 mins read

Scientific evidence shows little or no benefit.

Close-up of ripe berries on a branch of a saw palmetto tree; the berries are used in the making of a dietary supplement.

Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement. It's extracted from berries that grow on saw palmetto palm trees, which are native to the southeastern United States.

By one estimate, more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto specifically. Some evidence suggests that saw palmetto has anti-inflammatory properties, and its use as folk medicine dates back over a century.

But experts at Harvard say men should view its supposed benefits for prostate health skeptically. "Saw palmetto is unlikely to harm you, but it probably won't provide any major benefits either," says Dr. Heidi Rayala, an assistant professor of urology at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

BPH and the potential effect of saw palmetto

It's common for men to develop an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), when they get older. BPH impedes urinary flow through the urethra, causing obstructive symptoms that can worsen with time.

Just how saw palmetto might act on the prostate to improve symptoms isn't entirely clear, however. Some evidence suggest it mimics the effects of certain drugs used for treating BPH, including 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as finasteride (Proscar), which shrink the prostate gland.

In the US, no herbal supplement is approved as BPH treatment. The American Urological Association cautions that studies backing saw palmetto for treating enlarged prostates have numerous flaws, including short durations and a lack of placebo controls. Most of the supporting evidence comes from small studies paid for by companies that sell dietary supplements.

What do randomized clinical trials show?

The best-conducted research shows no benefits from saw palmetto for BPH. During one study, 225 men with moderate to severe BPH were treated with either a placebo or 160 milligrams (mg) of saw palmetto, taken twice daily for a year. The investigators detected no difference in outcomes, but they also acknowledged that doses tested in the study may have been too low to produce measurable effects.

So, during a larger subsequent study, researchers tested higher doses of saw palmetto ranging up to 320 mg given three times a day. Nearly 370 men ages 45 and older were randomized to treatment or placebo groups. After year and a half, men in both groups reported feeling either no worse or a little better. Remarkably, 40% of the placebo-treated men said symptoms had improved, suggesting the simple act of taking a pill could have something to do with the supplement's perceived benefits.

Dr. Michael Barry, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, led the study. He urges men to consult with their doctors before trying saw palmetto, mainly to rule out other potential causes of urinary obstruction, which can include bladder or prostate cancer. And saw palmetto may interfere with the blood's clotting ability, making it risky for men who take blood thinners.

Recent results and comments

The latest evidence on saw palmetto and BPH comes from a Cochrane Review of 27 placebo-controlled studies enrolling a combined 4,656 participants. Results published in 2024 showed no improvement in urinary symptoms or quality of life from taking saw palmetto (alone or with other herbal supplements) over durations ranging up to 17 months.

"If the ingredients in these herbal products worked well for urinary symptoms, drug companies would have already had them approved by the FDA as a medicine that insurance companies would have to cover," Dr. Rayala said. "It's okay to take them, but just be cautious about spending too much of your own money on these alternatives."

"It is easy to understand why so many find taking a naturally occurring supplement for treating urinary difficulties in middle age appealing," said Dr. Marc Garnick, the Gorman Brothers Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and editor in chief of the Harvard Medical School Guide to Prostate Diseases. "However, evidence of effectiveness with saw palmetto is lacking, and its use for BPH and other common urinary symptoms without a full evaluation of the potential cause should be discouraged."

Harvard Health Publishing

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Investopedia

Believe It Or Not, Incomes Rose 4% Last Year

~1.0 mins read

Median income fully recovered from the pandemic last year, the first statistically significant increase since 2019, the Census Bureau found.

According to data released this week, real median household income rose by 4% in 2023 to reach $80,610. The data underscores the hot labor market in 2023, when 2.7 million jobs were created and strong monthly jobs reports helped keep the U.S. economy from sliding into a recession that many economists forecast.

“These robust income gains reflect the labor market that produced strong employment and wage gains,” wrote the White House Council of Economic Advisers.

Household income rose evenly throughout different earnings brackets and groups, while income inequality measurements showed some improvements.

The data did show that the bottom 10% of workers increased their wages by 6.7%, better than the 4.6% earnings growth for the top 10%. The poverty rate also dropped slightly.

Economists Elise Gould and Josh Bivens at the Economic Policy Institute, a nonpartisan think tank, wrote that the improving income data showed that post-pandemic fiscal relief helped the labor market quickly recover after the COVID-19 slowdown.

“Today’s data highlight the extraordinary strength of the recovery from the economic crises caused by the pandemic,” they wrote in a blog post.

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Investopedia

Molina Healthcare Stock Soars 18% As Premium Revenue Surges

~1.2 mins read

Molina Healthcare (MOH) shares skyrocketed 18%, scoring one of the top performances among S&P 500 stocks on Thursday, after the health insurer reported better-than-expected results. Increased premium revenue from government-backed Medicaid plans helped drive the strong results.

Health insurers with exposure to Medicaid have been under pressure in recent months as industry executives and analysts express concerns about a potential drawdown in the number of people receiving benefits from the program. The possible drop in enrollment stems from shifts in the so-called "redeterminations" process, which establishes the eligibility of Medicaid recipients.

However, Molina's strong third-quarter performance suggests the insurer has been successful in navigating redeterminations-related headwinds. One key metric that demonstrates this success is Molina's premium revenue, which jumped 18% year-over-year to reach $9.7 billion. Molina also managed to increase the number of members served by its Medicaid plans to approximately 4.9 million, up nearly 4% from the year-ago period.

"Our results reflect continued operating discipline despite the unprecedented short-term dynamics caused by redeterminations," said Joseph Zubretsky, Molina's chief executive officer. "We believe all of our businesses are well positioned for sustainable profitable growth."

The company noted that winning new contracts, increasing its existing footprint and completing strategic acquisitions helped offset the continued negative impact of Medicaid redeterminations. In July, Molina announced an agreement to acquire Connecticut-based health plan ConnectiCare.

Molina Healthcare stock has had its ups and downs so far this year. Shares tumbled following the insurer's first-quarter earnings release in May but notched solid gains after Molina beat second-quarter profit estimates with its July report.

Following Thursday's post-earnings rise, Molina shares remain down around 10% year-to-date.

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News_Naija

Firm Expands Mental Health Services In Lagos Corpers Knock FG Over Unpaid N77k Allowance

~1.5 mins read

An investment firm, eha Impact Ventures, has facilitated a partnership between its portfolio companies, EHA Clinics and Blueroomcare, to improve access to in-person mental health therapy in Lagos. The clinic is a leading network of primary care facilities in Nigeria. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Blueroomcare, Ebunoluwa Collins, on Tuesday. Collins noted that, according to the World Health Organisation, an estimated 20% of Nigeria’s population experiences some form of mental illness, yet fewer than 10% receive the necessary care. She added that the partnership is set to integrate mental health services into broader healthcare offerings. She added that the collaboration enables Blueroomcare to expand its services beyond virtual sessions to include face-to-face therapy, adding that clients would be able to book appointments through Blueroomcare’s online platform or visit EHA Clinics’ Lagos facility for in-person consultations. “In-person therapy sessions create a structured, distraction-free environment that fosters better engagement between therapists and clients. This partnership allows us to offer a range of mental health support, combining digital accessibility with personalized care. “EHA Clinics will also expand its services to include mental health support, aligning with its broader goal of providing comprehensive patient care,” said Collins. On his part, the Vice President, Business Development at EHA Clinics, Abdulkareem Iyamu, “Integrating mental health services into our clinics ensures individuals receive the full spectrum of care they need. By working with Blueroomcare, we are creating a seamless experience that addresses both physical and mental well-being.” The Chief Executive Officer of EHA Impact Ventures, Evelyn Castle, highlighted the significance of the initiative. “By combining Blueroomcare’s expertise in mental health with EHA Clinics’ clinical infrastructure, we are developing an integrated care model that can be expanded across the continent,” Castle stated. To support service delivery and community engagement, the partnership will implement coordinated booking systems and outreach initiatives in Lagos. The collaboration is expected to enhance access to mental health support in the region. EHA Impact Ventures supports early-stage, high-impact, women-led businesses in Africa, providing flexible funding and business resources. Blueroomcare is a virtual behavioural healthcare provider focused on making mental health support more accessible.

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