Quick Summary
-
Which supplements are used to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Two popular supplements for treating the urinary symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are saw palmetto berry extract and beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol (or phytosterol) found in very small amounts in saw palmetto and more commonly obtained from other plant sources (see What It Is). -
What are the health benefits of saw palmetto and what is the right dose?
Well-controlled clinical trials report little to no benefit with saw palmetto in reducing symptoms of BPH, such a urinary frequency (see Saw Palmetto — What It Does). A typical dose is 320 mg per day of extract standardized to 85% to 95% fatty acids (see Saw Palmetto — What to Consider When Buying). 
What are the health benefits of beta-sitosterol and what is the right dose?
Beta-sitosterol has been found in most, but not all studies, to significantly improve perceived symptoms of BPH and urine rate flow (see Beta-Sitosterol — What It Does). Doses used in clinical studies range from 30 mg to 91 mg daily. At a much higher dosage, beta-sitosterol can also lower cholesterol levels (see Beta-Sitosterol — What to Consider When Buying).
What did CL's tests of prostate supplements find?
ConsumerLab.com's tests identified a number of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol supplements that contained the generally recommended amounts of these ingredients. However, CL discovered that one saw palmetto supplement had none of the key expected marker compound for saw palmetto (see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated).-
Which prostate supplements are the best?
Among all of the prostate supplements approved for their quality in this Review, ConsumerLab chose a Top Pick for providing a proper dose of beta-sitosterol for treating symptoms of BPH at a reasonable price.
Although not tested in this Review, we reviewed the evidence regarding a popular prostate formula, Prostadine. -
How safe are prostate supplements made with saw palmetto and/or beta-sitosterol?
Saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol are generally well tolerated, although some individuals may also experience nausea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. Rarely, erectile dysfunction and loss of libido have been reported with use of beta-sitosterol (see Concerns and Cautions). Be sure to check with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis before using, since symptoms of enlarged prostate may signal more serious conditions, such as prostate cancer, that require prompt medical treatment (see Concerns and Cautions).
