VI-SPO™ saw palmetto extract, a patented, clinically studied urinary health ingredient from Vidya Herbs, is no newcomer to the supplement industry. It has been incorporated into finished products available nationwide in U.S. online and retail stores. Recently VI-SPO™ has been granted a USPTO patent in relation to the treatment of prostate disorders and supporting in urinary health1. The composition of the saw palmetto is comprised of around 3% beta-sitosterol1. With the recent patent, a new human clinical trial on the way and a state-of-the-art saw palmetto production plant opening in Florida this month, there are exciting advancements in saw palmetto from Vidya Herbs this year.
The Vidya Herbs R&D Center for Excellence recently completed a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on VI-SPO™ that is currently being prepared for publication. Sixty-six healthy male subjects between the ages of 35-60 years old were given either VI-SPO™ (500 mg total capsule with 200 mg active oil) or a placebo once daily for 12 weeks in order to evaluate the effects on urodynamic parameters of urinary health.
In comparison to placebo, the VI-SPO™ cohort saw a significant increase in the average urinary flow rate, significant decrease in urinary delay time and significant decrease in time to maximum urinary flow rate. The VI-SPO™ group also saw a significant increase in maximum urine flow rate by the end of the 12 weeks. Although participants evaluated were healthy subjects, a marginal improvement in quality-of-life was reported as assessed by the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire administered at the end of the study.
This new study demonstrated that a broader population of healthy adult men without lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) can benefit from VI-SPO™, in addition to consumers with prostate health concerns.
These results contribute further to prostate health findings from a previous 2020 human clinical trial on VI-SPO™ published in BMC Urology2. The group supplemented with VI-SPO™ saw a significant reduction in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), residual urine volume, and a significant improvement in maximum urinary flow rate as well as a serum marker related to prostate health2.
VI-SPO™ oil is produced through supercritical CO2 extraction and is standardized to NLT 85% total fatty acids and 2-3% beta-sitosterol. A further purification step allows the material to achieve up to 10 times the levels of beta-sitosterol seen in conventional supercritical saw palmetto extracts on the market. VI-SPO™ is available as either an oil or a spray dried powder.
Vidya Herb’s line of saw palmetto extracts, including VI-SPO™, was previously produced in Bangalore, India. In March 2023, the company will officially open the doors to their brand new 20,000 square foot facility in Bunnell, Florida dedicated to the production of saw palmetto extract. The facility features custom supercritical extraction equipment that has the capability to achieve pressures of up to 1,000 bar.
The new site was established in an effort to move towards sustainable botanical extraction by reducing the company's carbon footprint. The facility eliminates the need to ship the dried saw palmetto berries that are harvested in the southeastern U.S. overseas to India for extraction. Sustainable and efficient, this also means reduced lead times for customers here in the United States.
After the facility’s official opening, current and prospective customers of Vidya Herbs will be able to arrange for an onsite visit to see saw palmetto and other botanical extractions taking place. Vidya Herbs also has plans to produce a variety of other carotenoids at this location as well.
Those interested in receiving further information on VI-SPO™, obtaining samples, or learning more about the Bunnell facility’s supercritical extraction capabilities can reach out to the Vidya Herbs office located in Red Bank, New Jersey via email at (info@vidyaherbsusa.com) or phone (732) 784-1587.
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1. (2023) Composition and Method for Promoting Normal Urinary Function. (US Patent. 11,559,532 B2).
2. Sudeep HV, Thomas JV, Shyamprasad K. BMC Urology. 2020;20:86.
