Prosta-Clear HP

Description

Prosta-Clear HP™ supports normal male lower urinary tract function and prostate health. Clinically meaningful levels of key ingredients target urinary flow and frequency as well as prostate-related hormone metabolism. This formula features FLOWENS®—a full-spectrum cranberry powder optimized for men’s health—combined with beta-sitosterol, pyridoxal 5’-phosphate, Albion® TRAACS® zinc bis-glycinate chelate, and highly concentrated, standardized extracts of saw palmetto and pygeum.*

Suggested Use: Take one to two softgels daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use. Individuals taking medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare practitioner. Do not use if tamper seal is damaged.

Bottle Contains: 60 softgels

Ingredients: Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal 5’- phosphate), Zinc (as TRAACS® zinc bis-glycinate chelate), FLOWENS® Cranberry Fruit Solids (Vaccinium macrocarpon)(fruits), Saw Palmetto Extract (Serenoa repens)(dried fruits)(85% free fatty acids), Beta-Sitosterol, Pygeum Extract (Prunus africana)(bark)(2.5% beta-sitosterol)

Other Ingredients: Organic flaxseed oil, softgel (bovine gelatin, vegetable glycerin, purified water, and natural caramel color), sunflower lecithin, tricalcium phosphate, maltodextrin, citric acid, and silica.

Does Not Contain: Wheat, gluten, yeast, soy, dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, or artificial preservatives.

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The Science

As men age, the need for maintaining or supporting normal prostate and lower urinary tract (LUT) health and function increases. Prosta-Clear HP™ represents the latest in specialized formulations for men.

FLOWENS®

Cranberry fruit has a history of use among Native Americans for kidney and urinary health.¹ Modern research supports this traditional use.^1-4 Cranberry fruit is recognized as a rich source of oligosaccharides and phytochemicals, including proanthocyanidins, flavonols, and triterpenoids. FLOWENS® is a 100% all-natural, full-spectrum cranberry powder designed and optimized for men’s health. In a clinical study, FLOWENS® was shown to improve quality of life and support urinary tract function with improvements noted within the first month of supplementation. In a six-month double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, supplementation with 250 or 500 mg/d of FLOWENS resulted in clinically-relevant, dose-dependent improvements in primary (a clinically validated questionnaire) and secondary (e.g., uroflowmetry scores, urine storage) outcome measures related to prostate function in men older than 45 years. No side effects were reported. The researchers suggested that the observed effects may have resulted from activities on detrusor contraction and relaxation, modulation of the micturition reflex, or a reduction in certain cytokines.*¹

Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw palmetto extracts have been widely used in Europe and more recently in the United States as a natural way to help maintain normal prostate health and LUT function. A systematic review⁵ of 18 randomized controlled trials involving 2,939 men and another analysis of 21 clinical trials involving 3,000 men and reviewed by Cochrane⁶ support the safety and efficacy of saw palmetto extract preparations, and animal and human clinical trials continue to support a role for saw palmetto in prostate health.^7-10 Mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated, but there is evidence that saw palmetto inhibits 5-alpha reductase (5AR)—the enzyme that reduces testosterone to the more potent androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT).*^11,12

Other effects have been proposed, including that saw palmetto prevents DHT from binding to androgen receptors, has antiestrogenic and antiproliferative effects, inhibits growth factors, affects alpha-1 adrenoceptors and 1,4-dihydropyridine receptors, and helps maintain healthy fluid balance in prostate tissues.^7,12-15 Prosta-Clear HP™ features a high-quality, standardized (85% free fatty acids) extract to assure the opportunity for the best clinical outcomes.*

Pygeum Africanum (Pygeum africanum)

The use of pygeum dates back approximately 300 years, and extracts are a well-known and often-used alternative for supporting prostate health in many European countries.¹⁶ Numerous open and placebo-controlled studies in large populations have demonstrated its efficacy and acceptability for supporting healthy urine flow and volume, reducing nocturnal voiding, and improving quality of life.^17-21 Multiple mechanisms of action have been proposed for the genitourinary effects of pygeum, which contains numerous beneficial constituents, such as beta-sitosterol. Mechanisms are thought to include 5AR inhibition; estrogenic, antiandrogenic, and antiproliferative effects; and modulation of cell signaling molecules, including cytokines.*^18,20

Beta-Sitosterol

Beta-sitosterol is a plant phytosterol commonly used to promote LUT function in men. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 200 patients were supplemented with 20 mg of beta-sitosterol three times per day or placebo. Significant improvements in urinary flow parameters were observed in the beta-sitosterol group only.²² In a follow-up study, the beneficial effects of beta-sitosterol treatment were maintained for 18 months.²³ In a six-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial (n = 177), 130 mg/d of beta-sitosterol resulted in significant improvements in patients’ quality of life, urinary flow rate, and residual volume compared to placebo.²⁴ A systematic review of clinical trials also supported the benefits of beta-sitosterol to LUT function in men.*²⁵

Zinc and Vitamin B6

Zinc is highly concentrated in the prostate gland, and a lack of zinc may be associated with a reduced DNA damage and repair response in prostate tissue.²⁶ Therefore, zinc adequacy is vital for optimal prostate health, especially with advancing age.²⁷ In this formula, zinc is provided as the highly absorbable Albion® TRAACS® zinc bis-glycinate chelate. Pyridoxal 5’-phosphate (P5P) is the active form of vitamin B6. In a population-based prospective study of 525 men, Kasperzyk et al found that high vitamin B6 intake had an inverse association with prostate-related mortality.*²⁸

 

References:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26049866

2. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23890348

3. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26613004

4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24228191

5. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9820264

6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12137626

7. Saw palmetto: clinical overview. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Kunz T, Dinda K, eds. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 2003:309-319. http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/DocServer/Saw_Palmetto.pdf?docID=167. Accessed May 24, 2016.

8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20944533

9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26104840

10. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23235581

11. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11337315

12. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19262550

13. Saw Palmetto. Somerville, MA: Natural Medicines; 2016. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=971. Accessed May 24, 2016.

14. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1281103

15. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15033918

16. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10929430

17. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9787978

18. Pygeum Africanum. Somerville, MA: Natural Medicines; 2016. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbssupplements/professional.aspx?productid=388. Accessed May 24, 2016.

19. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11099686

20. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20503393

21. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11869585

22. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7540705

23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10792163

24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9313662

25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10368239

26. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18356318

27. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24204440

28. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19571228