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Our Members Asked:
I use beta-sitosterol for my prostate. Should it be taken with or without food?
Answer:
When using beta-sitosterol to reduce cholesterol-levels, it must be taken with food, as discussed in the Cholesterol-lowerers Review. However, it is unclear from the clinical literature whether or not this applies to its use in treating symptoms of an enlarged prostate (or BPH — benign prostatic enlargement), although taking it with food may reduce gastrointestinal side effects and most marketed products suggest taking it with foods, as discussed in the Prostate Supplements Review.
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Related CL Answers (3)
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Robert6722
April 05, 2022I am 69 years old and have BPH, which caused me to get up 3-5 times a night to urinate, and caused frequent urgent urination during the day. It was also causing reduced flow when I urinated. I began taking Pure Encapsulation Beta Sitosterol about a year ago, taking 1 capsule (60 mg) a day. The symptoms have improved significantly for me - I am now only getting up once a night for urination, and the day-time urgency has become less frequent and more manageable. (Unfortunately, the Beta Sitosterol has not had any effect on the strength of my urine flow.) I have, however, had one bad side effect - I have developed erectile disfunction.
I have recently cut back on the dosage - I am taking to 2 capsules per week. I am hoping that the reduced dosage will continue to provide the relief from the symptoms of BPH, while improving the ED side effects.
Jack6723
August 22, 2023I used this product for almost a year and it seemed to help me manage my urination urges but I had to quit because my annual physical blood test revealed problems with Liver AST numbers. I definitely have a very large prostate as identified by MRI. I am now looking into the new Aquablation procedure for reduction of prostate size. I am very tired of the urination urgent trips to bathroom. Wish I had changed my diet years ago to lower DHT but I don't think I can wait for six months to a year for shrinkage. Be careful to monitor Liver enzymes while taking Beta Sitosterols. Consumer labs mentioned in one of their reviews that a small number of people could be affected this way. I found it after I had been taking a long time. Liver enzymes were normal in blood tests after I stopped taking it.
ConsumerLab.com
September 11, 2023Elevated liver enzymes have typically been reported when taking higher doses of sterols than typically found in prostate supplements -- such as the doses found in cholesterol-lowering supplements https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/cholesterol-lowering-supplements-review-sterols-policosanol/cholesterol/#liver. Rarely, liver inflammation has also been linked with supplements containing saw palmetto (also a common ingredient in prostate supplements), although it's not clear if the inflammation was caused by saw palmetto or another herbal ingredient https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/prostate-supplements-beta-sitosterol-phytosterols-saw-palmetto/sawpalmetto/#saw-palmetto-liver.
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Researcher
October 06, 2020Has anyone found relief with this product and if so, how long have you been supplementing?
Yahvey6717
June 22, 2021Yes, I have found significant relief for enlarged prostate using Source Naturals Mega Strength Beta Sitosterol. I bought this before I realized there are generally 2 different dosages for BS, depending on needs: lower dosages for prostate, and higher ones for treating high LDL/Cholesterol. I took this product with food, it reports 375mg of BS (way more than the research for prostate with is between 30-91mg). Found very significant results within 4-6 weeks. (Previously, I also got noticeable benefit from saw palmetto but wasn't as significant.) After many months of taking it, I stopped. Results have lasted close to 12 months. I am now seeing some re-emergence of symptoms, and will start taking again.
Lloyd6716
July 26, 2021I am 86 yrs old and have BPH getting up 4 to 5 times at night waking up every 2 hrs or less to pee.
after hearing about Pure encapsulations beta sitosterol I ordered a bottle of 90 capsules (60mg ea.)
and the first night I took two pills. I got up only only 2 times the whole night... couldnt believe it!!! and to think I had a procedure done 6 months ago called Urolift which was pure hell the first month or so and it did absolutely no good about sleeping through the night. Then my Dr. prescribed myrbetriq and all it did was raise my BP.... I heard about "Pure" on ConsumerLab.com (joined) and what a relief. Now when I wake up in the morning it isnt because I have to pee.. I had a good night sleep.
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