Maximum Strength Graminex Flower Pollen Extract [Discontinued] by Swanson Ultra

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Taking rye grass pollen extract orally seems to improve symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, urgency, flow rate, dribbling, and pain in patients with mild to moderate BPH (5292,5294). Some researchers report decreased prostate size, improved urinary flow, and decreased residual urine volume (5292,8520); others report no effect on objective BPH measures (8176). Available studies have used a specific rye grass pollen extract (Cernilton) (5292,5294,8176,8177,8520). It is not known if rye grass pollen extract is comparable to finasteride (Proscar) or alpha-blockers. However, rye grass is comparable to Pygeum and Paraprost, a Japanese prostate remedy containing L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, and aminoacetic acid (8176,8177).
• Prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Some research shows that rye grass pollen extract (Cernilton) might relieve some symptoms of chronic prostatitis and associated pelvic pain (5296,95162). One study shows that relief is marked or complete in most patients (5296). Other research shows that taking rye grass pollen extract (Cernilton) can improve pain, micturition, and quality of life but not sexual symptoms or urine volume compared with placebo in patients with chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain (95162). Patients without complicating factors, such as urethral strictures, prostatic calculi, or bladder neck sclerosis, are likely to respond best to rye grass pollen extract (Cernilton) (5293).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Constipation. One small clinical study shows that eating whole-grain rye bread 240 grams or more daily for 3 weeks improves intestinal transit time by 23% compared with white bread in patients with constipation. Patients receiving rye bread reported an average of 1.4 more stools per week compared with no rye bread, along with improved stool softness and ease of defecation. Rye bread also improved intestinal transit time by 41% when compared with various laxatives designed to increase fecal mass or have osmotic effects (95161). More evidence is needed to rate rye grass for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when rye grass is used orally and appropriately at levels found in the diet. Rye grass is a grain used commonly in breads and cereals (95161). ...when rye grass pollen extract is used orally and appropriately. Rye grass pollen extract appears to be safe when taken as directed for up to 24 weeks (5292,5293,5294,5296,8176,8177,8520,95162). Long-term effects are unknown.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using rye grass pollen extract.

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General ...Orally, rye grass is well tolerated. Abdominal distention, heartburn, and nausea have been reported with oral use of rye grass pollen extract (Cernilton) (5293).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, rye grass pollen extract can cause abdominal distention, heartburn, and nausea (5293).

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