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Best Prostate Health Supplements of 2023, According to Dietitians
Last Updated on December 26, 2022
Medically Reviewed by Anthony Dugarte, MD
Many prostate health supplements claim that they can effectively manage symptoms related to an enlarged prostate. When choosing a supplement, it’s important to know if it has effective doses of research-based ingredients.
Emily Hirsch is a registered dietitian with over fifteen years of experience in the health and wellness space. She received her undergraduate degree in dietetics from the University of Rhode Island and her Masters of Science with distinction in nutrition education from California State University, Chico.
Medically Reviewed by
Anthony Dugarte, MD
Medical Reviewer
Anthony Dugarte, M.D., C.S.C.S. is a health and wellness writer and medical content reviewer. In addition to dedicating the last 11 years to medical research, Dr. Dugarte also has more than a decade of experience in strength and conditioning, nutrition, and rehabilitative exercise, as well as authoring and reviewing health and wellness-related content.
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Men looking to support their prostate health may turn to a prostate supplement.
Prostate supplements are designed to help manage the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.
BPH is a common condition that affects millions of men. Studies show that 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and 90% of men over 80 are diagnosed with BPH. (1)
BPH is characterized by:
- Frequent urination
- A feeling of urgency (sudden need to urinate)
- Difficulty starting urination
- Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
- Slowness or dribbling of your urinary stream
- Inability to completely empty the bladder
Some prostate supplement companies would love for you to believe that their supplement can completely treat or even cure BPH.
While this is not the reality, research suggests that these supplements may help relieve symptoms associated with the condition.
Prostate supplements generally use plant-based ingredients to decrease prostate enlargement in hopes of reducing some of the common symptoms of enlarged prostate.
We evaluated some of the prostate health supplements currently on the market and put together a list of our top picks.
Summary of Our Picks
- Best overall: Life Extension PalmettoGuard Saw Palmetto
- Best overall runner-up: NOW Prostate Support Softgels
- Best vegan: Pure Encapsulations ProstaFlo
- Best liquid: Global Healing Prostrex
- Best budget pick: Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto
How We Chose These Brands
To pick the best prostate health supplements, we evaluated each brand based on the following factors.
- Brand Reputation: Does the brand have a good reputation in the industry? Does the manufacturing occur in a facility that adheres to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations?
- Professional Involvement: Are there healthcare professionals involved with developing the product?
- Supported by Research: Are the ingredients in the brand backed by research?
- Price: Is the cost of the product comparable to other similar products?
Best Overall: Life Extension PalmettoGuard Saw Palmetto
Best Overall
Pros
- Contains an effective doses of evidenced-based ingredients
- Product comes with a certificate of analysis to ensure transparency
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Contains gelatin, not suitable for vegans or vegetarians
Our Take
Life Extension’s PalmettoGuard contains effective doses of science-backed ingredients known to reduce BPH symptoms. It also contains some ingredients that may enhance overall prostate health and comes with a reasonable price tag.
While other prostate health supplements may provide a long list of ingredients, Life Extension’s PalmettoGuard focuses on just five, including saw palmetto, nettle root extract, beta-sitosterol (a plant sterol), boron, and rosemary extract.
This supplement contains a combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol. Recent research suggests that this combination may be more effective than consuming saw palmetto on its own. (2)
Life Extension’s product contains 320 mg of saw palmetto, and 90 mg of beta-sitosterol, both of which have shown to be effective in clinical trials at these doses.
One study found that a daily dose of 120 mg of stinging nettle improved urinary flow and bladder emptying in older men diagnosed with BPH. This is the exact dosage provided in Life Extension’s PalmettoGuard. (3)
While there is limited research on boron supplementation and BPH, some small studies suggest that boron intake may help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. (4)
Current research suggests that rosemary extract may target prostate cancer cells through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. (5)
The product is manufactured in an NSF-registered GMP facility to ensure quality and safety.
Price: At around $11.25 for a 1-month supply and a full one-year, money-back guarantee (if you purchase through their website), Life Extension’s PalmettoGuard is definitely worth a try. It is also sold on Amazon for the same price.
Best Overall Runner-Up: NOW Prostate Support Softgels
Best Overall Runner-Up
Pros
- Contains evidenced-based ingredients
- Third-party tested
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Contains gelatin, not suitable for vegans or vegetarians
- Lacking in plant sterols
Our Take
NOW’s Prostate Support Softgels are a reasonably priced, third-party tested prostate supplement that provides ingredients that may help manage BPH symptoms. The product is lacking in plant sterols, which may decrease its effectiveness, and is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians.
NOW’s Prostate Support Softgels made our list because of its simple yet effective ingredient list. The product provides saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed oil, lycopene, vitamin B-6, and zinc.
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, has been shown to reduce BPH symptoms and prohibit the condition’s progression. (6)
Additionally, one recent study noted that over 50% of men over 60 suffer from BPH and also have low levels of zinc. The study suggests that insufficient zinc levels may set the stage for BPH and even prostate cancer. (7)
In addition to providing effective ingredients, NOW’s Prostate Support supplement is also free of major allergens and is third-party tested.
Unfortunately, the product is lacking in plant sterols. Studies have shown that when taken with saw palmetto, plant sterols appear to increase the effectiveness of a prostate supplement. (2)
The product is made with gelatin, which makes it unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans.
NOW’s Prostate Support supplement comes with a reasonable price tag. The suggested dosage is two softgels, 1 to 2 times per day with food.
Price: If purchased through Amazon, a 90-day supply is $25.90 (if taking two pills per day).
Best Vegan: Pure Encapsulations ProstaFlo
Best Vegan
Pros
- Promising research on main ingredient
- Third-party tested
- Free of major allergens
Cons
- Contains only one prostate health ingredient
- Higher price point than similar products
Our Take
Pure Encapsulations’ ProstaFlo contains just pollen extracts, but the research surrounding this one ingredient appears promising. This high-quality product is free of major allergens and is third-party tested but also comes at a steep price point.
This vegan-friendly formula contains just one ingredient – ryegrass pollen extract.
While this isn’t the most common ingredient found in prostate health supplements, the research surrounding its use appears promising.
One review of the literature found that pollen extracts improved symptoms in people with chronic prostatitis, including improvements in pelvic pain, painful urination and ejaculation, and sexual dysfunction. (8)
Additionally, the product is free of major allergens, artificial colors, and sweeteners and is third-party tested.
Price: Pure Encapsulations ProstaFlo is a bit pricier than some other prostate health supplements at $89.95 for a 6-month supply on Amazon, which is about $15.00 per month (or $0.50 per capsule).
Best Liquid: Global Healing Prostrex
Best Liquid
Pros
- Contains evidenced-based ingredients
- Organic formula
- Vegan-friendly
Cons
- Proprietary blend makes it difficult to evaluate if the product contains effective doses of ingredients
- More expensive than some other prostate health supplements
Our Take
Global Healing’s Prostrex contains a variety of organic, evidenced-based ingredients in a liquid form. The product contains a proprietary blend, making it difficult to evaluate its effectiveness, and it is more expensive than some other prostate health supplements.
Global Healing’s Prostrex is a unique liquid supplement that uses a proprietary blend of saw palmetto, pumpkin seed, stinging nettle leaf, and turmeric to help reduce BPH symptoms.
One literature review found that saw palmetto may be recommended as first-line therapy in men with mild to moderate symptoms of BPH. (9)
Pumpkin seed is another common ingredient found in prostate health supplements.
One study analyzed the effects of 320 mg of pumpkin seed oil and 320 mg of saw palmetto on men with BPH and found they were both safe and effective. (10)
Global Healing’s Prostrex contains stinging nettle, which has shown to be effective in improving urinary flow and bladder emptying in men diagnosed with BPH. (3)
The product also contains antioxidants that may help support overall prostate health.
Unfortunately, Global Healing’s Prostrex contains a proprietary blend of ingredients; therefore, it’s unclear whether the product contains effective doses.
However, this product is entirely organic, GMO-free, vegan, gluten-free, and has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Price: A 2-month supply is $34.95 on Amazon, which is a bit more expensive than some other prostate health supplements.
Best Budget: Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto
Best Budget
Pros
- Contains an effective dosage of saw palmetto
- Third-party tested
- One pill per day
Cons
- Contains gelatin, not suitable for vegans or vegetarians
Our Take
Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto contains an effective dose of saw palmetto and plant sterols to help relieve symptoms of BPH. This high-quality product is also very reasonably priced.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money per month for a high-quality, effective prostate health supplement.
In fact, Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto provides a hefty dose of saw palmetto (500 mg) and is also combined with plant sterols for a very reasonable price.
Additionally, the product is manufactured in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested in an ISO-certified lab.
While many other prostate health supplements provide an array of ingredients to support prostate health, this product only contains saw palmetto and plant sterols.
However, sometimes less is more.
Price: At $15.46 for a 100-day supply, Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto may be worth a try.
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Prostate Health Supplement
When choosing the best prostate health supplement for yourself, consider the following:
The Ingredients Used
A prostate health supplement may contain a laundry list of seemingly wonderful ingredients, but are they backed by sound, scientific research? This will determine whether or not the product will be effective.
Generally, these supplements contain a mix of plant-based ingredients along with some vitamins and minerals, designed to reduce prostate enlargement to produce a stronger urine stream and promote the full emptying of the bladder when urinating.
While the research on some of the ingredients used in some prostate health supplements is promising, many of these supplements use proprietary blends.
These proprietary formulas allow manufacturers to withhold important information about the amount of each ingredient in the formula, making it difficult to analyze its effectiveness and safety.
The following are ingredients used in many prostate health supplements:
-
Saw Palmetto: This is perhaps the most commonly seen and studied herbal supplement for its use in treating BPH symptoms. One review of the literature found that saw palmetto might be recommended as first-line therapy in men with mild to moderate symptoms of BPH. (9) The effective dose of saw palmetto used in most clinical trials is 320 mg per day.
-
Beta-Sitosterol (Along with Other Plant Sterols): You’ll often find these plant sterols in prostate health supplements as they show promise in relieving BPH symptoms when combined with saw palmetto. Doses used in clinical studies generally range from 30 mg to 91 mg daily. One clinical study found that phytosterol-enriched saw palmetto was effective in managing symptoms of BPH. (11)
-
Stinging Nettle: This is another popular herbal remedy that may help manage the symptoms of BPH. The effective dosage of stinging nettle in clinical trials varies from 120 mg to 600 mg per day. One study found that a daily dose of 120 mg of stinging nettle improved urinary flow and bladder emptying in older men diagnosed with BPH, while another study found that a dose of 600 mg of stinging nettle had a better effect in relieving clinical symptoms in BPH patients than a placebo. (3, 1)
-
Pumpkin Seed Oil: This anti-inflammatory compound also shows promise in helping to ease BPH symptoms. One study analyzed the effects of 320 mg of pumpkin seed oil and 320 mg of saw palmetto on men with BPH and found they were both safe and effective. (10)
-
Lycopene: Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. (12) One older study suggested that lycopene supplementation may help reduce BPH symptoms and prohibit the condition’s progression. (6)
-
Vitamin D: Research suggests that high doses of vitamin D (6,000 IU) may help decrease the prostate size in men and relieve BPH symptoms. (13)
Dosage
How many pills will you be required to take per day? Consistency is vital when taking a prostate health supplement.
If trying to remember to take multiple pills throughout the day may be a challenge, then the best supplement for you may be one you only have to take once or twice per day.
Third-Party Testing
Does the product have third-party testing?
Third-party testing by an independent lab ensures that your prostate health supplement is free from contaminants, provides potency, and is of the utmost quality.
Look for a third-party label from NSF International, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), or United States Pharmacopeia (USP).
Frequently Asked Questions About Prostate Health Supplements
What supplements should men take for prostate health?
The most studied and most commonly used ingredients in supplements to help ease symptoms of BPH include saw palmetto, plant sterols, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed oil, and sometimes vitamins like vitamin D and various antioxidants.
It’s important to look at the ingredients in your supplement and the dosage it provides to assess its effectiveness.
Before taking any supplements, it’s important to discuss your urinary symptoms with your healthcare provider first. Taking prostate health supplements may mask a more serious underlying health issue.
Are prostate supplements worth taking?
Some prostate supplements do contain evidence-based ingredients like plant sterols and antioxidants that might help delay the symptoms of BPH and support the health of your prostate.
Optimally, it is best to start with lifestyle changes and add supplements if those don’t help. Always speak to your doctor to discuss what supplements might be best for you.
What supplements can cause prostate problems?
Some supplements containing vitamin E and zinc could potentially cause prostate problems.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT) was a large clinical trial that studied the effects of taking selenium and vitamin E on the development of prostate cancer. (14)
The study found a significant increase in the risk of prostate cancer in healthy men who took a vitamin E supplement.
Additionally, men who take too many zinc supplements may increase their risk of prostate cancer.
One older study found that men who consumed more than 100 mg of zinc per day were more than twice as likely to develop advanced prostate cancer than those who didn’t take zinc supplements. (15)
What is the main cause of prostate enlargement?
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown; however, scientists believe that the condition may be due to changes in testosterone production as men age.
How can I improve my prostate health?
There are many ways to improve your prostate health without the use of supplements or medications. These include reducing your caffeine and alcohol intake.
Caffeine and alcohol can increase both urine production and bladder irritation, which can worsen symptoms.
Additionally, staying physically active may help to improve your prostate health.
Research suggests that men who are more physically active are less likely to experience prostate complications. (16)
What foods are good for shrinking the prostate?
Increasing your fruit and vegetable intake may decrease your risk of developing BPH.
Other specific foods may not only reduce your risk of developing BPH but may also help to improve symptoms. These foods include:
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Berries (strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries)
• Salmon
• Tomatoes
• Pumpkin seeds
What are the side effects of prostate supplements?
The side effects of taking prostate supplements are generally mild.
According to the National Institutes of Health, taking saw palmetto may cause mild side effects, including digestive symptoms or headache. (17)
When is the best time to take a prostate health supplement?
Always read the label for the ideal time to take any supplement, as the timing can vary.
The Bottom Line
Many prostate health supplements can help reduce the common symptoms associated with BPH, including frequent urination, feeling of urgency, increased urination at night, and the inability to empty the bladder completely.
It can be challenging to evaluate these supplements for effectiveness as the dosage of ingredients may be difficult to find or may vary considerably.
Before choosing a product, it’s essential to examine the ingredient list and dosage to determine its effectiveness.
Additionally, look for third-party testing to ensure it is of the utmost quality.
If supplementation is not for you, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to improve the health of your prostate.
These include limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake, increasing your fruit and vegetable consumption, and participating in some form of exercise regularly.
Urinary tract symptoms can have different causes, including more serious conditions like prostatitis or prostate cancer.
If you’re experiencing any urinary symptoms, it’s essential to discuss them with your healthcare provider to rule out anything more serious.
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17 Sources Used
At WellnessVerge, we only use reputable sources, including peer-reviewed medical journals and well-respected academic institutions.
- The Efficacy of Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized Double-Blind Study in 100 Patients:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3589769/ - A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32620155/ - Efficacy and safety of a combination of Sabal and Urtica extract in lower urinary tract symptoms--long-term follow-up of a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18038253/ - Boron intake and prostate cancer risk:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17851770/ - Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) extract inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation and survival by targeting Akt and mTOR:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347694468_Rosemary_Rosmarinus_officinalis_L_extract_inhibits_prostate_cancer_cell_proliferation_and_survival_by_targeting_Akt_and_mTOR - Lycopene inhibits disease progression in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18156403/ - Zinc Deficiency in Men Over 50 and Its Implications in Prostate Disorders:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7424038/ - The role of flower pollen extract in managing patients affected by chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a comprehensive analysis of all published clinical trials:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5401347/ - Efficacy and safety of a hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (Permixon ® ) for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH): systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29694707/ - Effects of pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto oil in Korean men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2809240/ - A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency:
https://bmcurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12894-020-00648-9 - Lycopene and Risk of Prostate Cancer:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4616444/ - Vitamin D and benign prostatic hyperplasia -- a review:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23930605/ - Vitamin E and the risk of prostate cancer: the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT):
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21990298/ - Zinc Supplement Use and Risk of Prostate Cancer:
https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/95/13/1004/2520319 - Physical Activity and Prostate Cancer: An Updated Review:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27844337/ - National Institutes of Health: Saw Palmetto:
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/saw-palmetto
