other · for prostate symptoms
Beta-Sitosterol
A plant compound shaped like cholesterol. How it helps the prostate is still not pinned down.
Say that in clinical terms
A plant sterol structurally similar to cholesterol, proposed to affect prostaglandin metabolism and 5-alpha-reductase activity, though the exact mechanism in the prostate is not established.
How strong is the research?
Solid evidence
Only one study
1 paper read, 1 supporting.
Tested as: Non-glucosidic beta-sitosterol (e.g. Harzol, Azuprostat brands), 20 mg three times daily (60 mg/day) in Berges 1995, or 130 mg/day free beta-sitosterol in Klippel 1997; one pooled trial used a beta-sitosteryl-beta-D-glucoside preparation.
Who was studied: Men with an enlarged prostate causing moderate symptoms, over 4 to 26 weeks.
How much to take
60–130 mg