160 mg of SAW PALMETTO is too small a dose to treat a UTI right? Would it be better to get the GNC capsules?

Question

They contain 500 Mg (90 Caps).

Has anyone tried these GNC capsules?

Answer 1

I've never heard of saw palmetto for a uti but here are a few I have. Better off at vitamin shoppe or a privately owned health food store.

Cranberry

Cranberry juice (Vaccinium macrocarpon or Vacinnium oxycoccus) has been used for more than a century as a home remedy to prevent and treat urinary tract infection.

Although it was previously thought that cranberry worked by making the urine more acid, more recent evidence suggests that constituents in cranberry called proanthocyanins prevent bacteria from adhering to the walls of the urinary tract. This is thought to allow urine to wash away the bacteria.

A study published in the Canadian Journal of Urology in 2002 compared pure cranberry juice, cranberry extract tablets, and a placebo in 150 women at high risk for infections. Both the juice and tablets both significantly reduced UTI. Of the two, the tablets were the most effective. The National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Health recently launched a $2.6 million dollar initiative for research into cranberries.

Cranberry juice should be unsweetened. Unsweetened juice can often be found in health food stores.

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Uva Ursi

Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is a herb that is used as a folk remedy for certain types of urinary tract infection. The active component, arbutin, appears to be broken down and then excreted in the kidneys, where it appears to have antiseptic properties.

Uva ursi contains significant amounts of compounds called tannins. Tannins are not believed to be absorbed from the intestines, however, liver damage has occured with people who have taken large doses of tannins. There have been no reports of uva ursi toxicity due to the tannins.

People with kidney or liver disease or pregnant or nursing women or children should not take uva ursi.

Side effects of uva ursi can include brown or green colored urine, nausea, ringing in the ears, or indigestion. Rarely, uva ursi has been associated with retinal damage, seizures, cyanosis, cancer, or even death when taken in large amounts for long periods of time.

Answer 2

Saw Palmetto is not the best remedy for UTI, unless it is related to enlarged prostate gland. 160mg is typical dose in a mix for prostate support. For inflammation of urinary tract, antiseptic dose would be closer to 500mg saw palmetto berry powder or 1ml liquid extract. If you're in pain, use Meadowsweet -- germicidal plus pain & inflammation relief.

Personally, I don't care for GNC except if I find myself in a spot where nothing else is available. I get my supplements at the health food store or online. Too many products out there sold cheaply because they use the discarded part of the plant, like Echinacea LEAF instead of root. Make sure they are selling Saw Palmetto BERRY. Buy liquid extract if they have it, for faster response.

Answer 3

I've never heard of taking saw palmetto for a UTI, but cranberry capsules work very well. I was told to take several each day while you have the infection, and then one a month afterwards to stay infection free.