Trial explained
CAMUS Trial Saw Palmetto Results: Why Triple Doses Still Failed
The CAMUS trial tested saw palmetto in 369 men aged 45 or older, with doses rising from 320 to 640 to 960 mg a day over 72 weeks. Symptom scores fell 2.20 points on saw palmetto and 2.99 on placebo. It was no better on any other outcome, so it is among the strongest negative results.
Written by the Protoflow label deskUpdated · 4 min read
Design01
How was the CAMUS trial run?
It was double-blind and placebo-controlled at 11 North American sites (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Neither men nor staff knew who got the herb. Men were 45 or older with symptom scores of 8 to 24 on the AUA index. The dose rose at week 24 and again at week 48, so each man ended on 960 mg if still enrolled (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Results02
What did the CAMUS trial find for saw palmetto?
At 72 weeks, placebo had the slightly better score.
| Group | Symptom index change |
|---|---|
| Saw palmetto | Down 2.20 points |
| Placebo | Down 2.99 points |
| Difference | 0.79 points, favoring placebo |
Saw palmetto was no better than placebo on any secondary outcome, and no adverse effects were clearly linked to it (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Meaning03
Why does the CAMUS trial matter for supplement labels?
It tested the doses a bottle would be tempted to claim, and they failed.
- Placebo men improved nearly as much, so relief alone proves little
- Tripled doses gave no extra effect
- It is the 2011 trial, not the earlier STEP trial
A label with 84.5 mg of fruit sits far below those doses (Protoflow bottle label). That makes a hidden benefit less likely, though no trial has tested the capsule.
Protoflow: from $49 a bottle60 capsules · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day guarantee
See packsLimits04
What can the CAMUS trial not tell you?
It tested one extract in men with moderate symptoms. It cannot speak for blends or other products.
If your stream is weak or you wake often, the cause may be BPH, diabetes or something else (MedlinePlus, Nocturia). Keep taking prescribed medicine and ask before changing anything.
See also the Cochrane review and the how it works page.
FAQ05
CAMUS trial questions
What does CAMUS stand for?
It is the name of the study group behind the trial of saw palmetto extract in men with urinary symptoms (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Why did CAMUS raise the dose twice?
The team wanted to know whether higher amounts would work where the first dose did not. They did not (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Was the CAMUS result a fluke?
Cochrane pooled 32 trials and reached the same no-benefit conclusion (Tacklind et al., Cochrane 2012).
Did anyone in CAMUS get sick from saw palmetto?
No adverse effects were clearly attributable to it (Barry et al., JAMA 2011 (CAMUS)).
Is CAMUS the same as the STEP trial?
No. CAMUS is the 2011 trial; STEP was an earlier 2006 study.
Who wrote this06
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the brand pages and linked NIH, FDA, FTC, NICE and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized Protoflow retailer, not by the manufacturer or distributor, PhytoThrive Labs. We make money when you buy through our order links.
Keep reading
Related Protoflow reading
USA Authorized Protoflow Retailer
Ready to try Protoflow?
Check your medicines, then choose a pack. Three or six bottles ship free in the US, cost less per bottle and add four bonus ebooks, and the 60-day guarantee covers every pack.
- Secure checkout on the info page
- 60-day guarantee
- Ships from the U.S.
