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Beseha
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The 30-second answer
The strongest evidence on saw palmetto, the best-known prostate supplement ingredient, is not in its favour: the 2023 Cochrane review (27 studies, 4,656 men) found it improves urinary symptoms little or not at all. In Egypt we have Prostate Kit at EGP 650 and Limitless Prostanorm Max at EGP 410, and neither replaces an examination: if you have trouble peeing or pee often, see a doctor first.
What happens to the prostate?
Benign prostate enlargement shows up as urinary problems, per the NHS: difficulty starting to pee or having to strain, a weak flow, feeling the bladder is not empty, dribbling afterwards, and needing to pee more often or urgently, including at night. Symptoms usually develop slowly and may worsen with age. An enlarged prostate does not always need treatment; when symptoms are mild, doctors usually try lifestyle changes first.
Don’t delay the check
The NHS says these symptoms can sometimes be caused by more serious conditions such as prostate cancer, and that finding it early may make it easier to treat. So get the doctor’s diagnosis (examination, urine test, PSA) before any supplement.
What does research say about the ingredients?
- Saw palmetto: the 2023 Cochrane review (27 studies, 4,656 men) found little to no difference in urinary symptoms; the gap was 0.9 points on the 35-point IPSS at 3 to 6 months (9 studies, 1,681 men), and at 12 to 17 months there was no meaningful difference.
- The 2011 JAMA trial: 369 men, with the extract raised up to 3 times the standard dose (960 mg/day) for 72 weeks: symptom scores fell 2.20 points on saw palmetto and 2.99 on placebo, so it did not beat placebo.
- Pumpkin seed: in the German GRANU trial (1,431 men, one year), pumpkin seed extract capsules (500 mg twice a day) did not differ from placebo in responders, while whole pumpkin seed (5 g twice a day) had 58.5% responders against 47.3% on placebo, a difference the authors called “descriptively” significant and said needs confirming.
- Combinations: Cochrane found combinations including saw palmetto may give little to no difference (2.41 points, low-certainty evidence), and says their role is more uncertain.
- Safety: Cochrane found side effects with saw palmetto roughly the same as placebo (moderate-certainty evidence), with no long-term safety data.
- Lycopene: the prostate evidence is from observational, cell and animal studies, not large trials showing it improves symptoms.
The two products available at Beseha
Both contain saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil, so everything above applies to them. Choose by the stated dose and your daily routine, not by marketing promises.
#1
160 mg saw palmetto15 mg zinc
Prostate Kit – 60 Softgels
Herbs, zinc and lycopene, 2 softgels a day
EGP 650
EGP 21.7 per day · 30 days
- The pack: per serving (2 softgels) saw palmetto 160 mg, pumpkin seed oil 1000 mg and nettle 300 mg
- The pack: plus lycopene 3 mg, zinc 15 mg and vitamin B6 10 mg
- 60 softgels at 2 a day last 30 days
Heads-up: The 160 mg of saw palmetto is below the 320 mg tested in the studies; go by the ingredients printed on the pack
#2
Saw palmetto + pumpkin seedBeta-sitosterol
Limitless Prostanorm Max – 30 Tablets
One tablet a day with saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil
EGP 410
EGP 13.7 per day · 30 days
- The pack: with saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil and beta-sitosterol
- The page: one tablet a day, preferably after meals
- 30 tablets last 30 days
Heads-up: Ingredient amounts are not on the page, so I cannot compare its dose with the studies
| Product | Daily dose | Price | Per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limitless Prostanorm Max – 30 Tablets | 1 tablet | EGP 410 | EGP 13.7 |
| Prostate Kit – 60 Softgels | 2 softgels | EGP 650 | EGP 21.7 |
Ask your doctor or pharmacist first if
- You have any of the urinary symptoms above: get a diagnosis first.
- There is blood in your urine, pain when peeing or you cannot pee: that is an emergency, not a supplement.
- You take a prostate medicine or any regular medicine: let your doctor know about the supplement.
- Do not raise the dose: the JAMA trial found no benefit even at 3 times the dose.
Not sure which one?
Beseha pharmacists answer on WhatsApp. Tap the “Ask a pharmacist” button and tell them your symptoms and medicines.
FAQ
Does saw palmetto treat an enlarged prostate?
The 2023 Cochrane review found little to no difference in urinary symptoms versus placebo, and the JAMA trial found no difference even at three times the dose.
Do prostate supplements replace a doctor?
No; a doctor’s diagnosis matters because urinary symptoms can have more serious causes such as prostate cancer, as the NHS explains.
Is pumpkin seed good for the prostate?
In the German GRANU trial, pumpkin seed extract capsules did not differ from placebo, while whole seed showed a difference the authors called descriptive and needing confirmation.
Are prostate supplements safe?
Cochrane found side effects with saw palmetto close to placebo, but there are no long-term safety data.
When should I see a doctor straight away?
If there is blood in your urine, pain when peeing or you cannot pee, per the NHS; for difficulty peeing or peeing often, book a normal appointment.
Should I raise the dose if I feel no difference?
No; in the JAMA trial raising the saw palmetto dose up to three times did no better than placebo.
The bottom line
Prostate symptoms need a diagnosis before any supplement. Saw palmetto and pumpkin seed supplements have very weak evidence in the strongest reviews; if you decide to try one after your doctor reassures you, choose by the stated dose and cost per day, reassess after 3 months and do not raise the dose.
Prostate supplements at Beseha →
Sources
- Franco et al. 2023: Cochrane review of Serenoa repens
- Barry et al. 2011: JAMA, increasing doses of saw palmetto
- Vahlensieck et al. 2015: GRANU pumpkin seed trial
- Ansari 2005: Lycopene and prostate cancer
- NHS: Enlarged prostate
This content is for information and is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or pharmacist. Prices and availability may change; the final price is on the product page.
