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Prostate Problem Guide
Why Do So Many Enlarged Prostate Sufferers Swear By Beta Prostate?
Beta Prostate is one of a range of herbal remedies taken by thousands of men as a form of self-medication for the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and many of them swear by it. But are they right to do so?
Well, the simple answer is that they are indeed right to do so in terms of its success in reducing the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. However, if you consider the effect that it has on their overall health then their decision to self-medicate might not be such a wise idea.
The principle ingredient of Beta Prostate and similar products goes by various different names but by and large consist of sterols which are often extracted from the berries of the palm tree saw palmetto. The primary action of sterols is to inhibit the action of 5-alpha reductase and thus work in a very similar fashion to prescription 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as Finasteride which are routinely prescribed for patients with an enlarged prostate.
The main difference between the two is that Finasteride is produced under controlled and licensed conditions, has been approved for use by the FDA and is used under medical supervision, while Beta Prostate is produced without control or licensing and does not require FDA approval because it is classed as a food supplement.
But at the end of the day does it really matter as long as they both have the same effect? Well, apart from the obvious safety concerns about the quality of production of Beta Prostate, unfortunately it matters a great deal.
At best an enlarged prostate is nothing more than a nuisance and, at worst, it is a condition that can be treated with relative ease. Prostate cancer, on the other hand, is a very different matter.
The vast majority of prostate cancer cases are discovered by a doctor when carrying out routine tests during the treatment of a patient with an enlarged prostate. For men who decide to self-medicate with products such as Beta Prostate these tests will not be carried out until self-medication ceases to be effective and the patient is forced to turn to his doctor. By this stage of course prostate cancer is often quite advanced and treatment options are both limited and often far less effective.
Even if the patient does call in and see his doctor at an early enough stage in the development of prostate cancer he may still run into trouble, as self-medication with Beta Prostate can affect the results of prostate cancer testing, leading to a failure to detect the presence of an existing prostate cancer.
If you decide to self-medicate with Beta Prostate or a similar product then, before you do so, it might be worth considering using the prescription alternative under the supervision of your doctor. The results will be the same but the risks will be far lower.
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