In Europe, physicians routinely prescribe natural products for men with prostate symptoms. The most effective of these products is beta-sitosterol, a nutrient found in tiny amounts in saw palmetto and other herbs. In Great Britain alone, beta-sitosterol’s benefits have been described in major peer-reviewed medical journals such as the British Journal of Urology and The Lancet, as well as in Cochrane Reviews, a massive database summarizing worldwide medical research.

Beta-sitosterol benefits the prostate by inhibiting the production of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is the enzyme that causes free testosterone to be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Not only does modern medicine believe that DHT causes prostate enlargement, but it is also implicated in male pattern baldness, the “spare tire” effect around the stomach, and reduced libido. Thus, men who use beta-sitosterol for prostate support may find that it also helps increase lean muscle mass, reduce fatty accumulations around the waist, and increase sexual interest and performance.

While studies show that 300 mg of daily beta-sitosterol is an ideal dose for prostate support, a high-quality saw palmetto capsule will provide only about 0.64 mg. This means you would need nearly 500 capsules a day! The alternative is to use pure beta-sitosterol, which can be easily extracted from the bark of pine trees. Using pure beta-sitosterol cuts the needed dose down to one or two capsules per day. Research shows that 80 to 180 mg daily of this nutrient helps support prostate health.