Talk:Beta-sitosterol
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[edit] Article Is Grossly Biased / Turns a Blind Eye Towards European Research
The term 'unassessed chemicals' shows a gross bias in the article against studies done in Europe. It is also irrational for American medical professionals to only cite American studies as being relevant.
The fact is that extensive studies have been done in Europe on Beta-sitosterols delivered primarily in herbs and the literature shows that larger doses, especially from Pygeum Africanum (rather than the lower levels found in Saw Palmetto) are very effective in managing BPH.
The comment (just deleted from the article) that study results only show limited results is therefore absolutely absurd and is likely the result of the American practice of 1) only considering American studies and 2) only considering studies of Saw Palmetto and not considering studies of Pygeum Africanum which has far higher levels on Beta-sitosterol.
The European system for studying the efficacy of herbal treatments is rigorously scientific and it's ridiculous to ignore the enormous body of European work as it is equally ridiculous to claim a substance has unproven effects just because one hasn't bothered to comprehensively read the European literature on the subject, or bcause one only reads about Saw Palmetto but not Pygeum Africanum.
Sean7phil (talk) 16:33, 17 January 2008 (UTC)
In reply to the above: It is patently irrational to claim that there is "European science" and "American science", as if the rules of logic and scientific inquiry varied depending upon one's nationality.
The only thing that matters is whether the studies are sufficiently well-performed to draw firm, generalizable conclusions. This is a point of view shared by top-notch scientists in all parts of the world - American and otherwise.
Conversely, second-rate scientists and their advocates are all too often the first to cry "bias!" when their work gets rejected or ignored.
[edit] 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor?
One of the cross-references is about 5-alpha-reductase inhibition. Furthermore, both saw palmetto and African pygeum contain beta-sitosterol as an active component and are said to act by inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase. Yet the article on 5-alpha-reductase doesn't mention beta-sitosterol. Should it, and should this article state that it is, in fact, a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor? Unfree (talk) 06:13, 18 May 2008 (UTC)
