Does Super Beta Prostate work?
What is in Super Beta Prostate?
Is Super Beta Prostate one of those
supplements like saw palmetto that has been proven in randomized controlled
clinical trials not to help?
Or is it like raspberry ketones, a
supplement promoted by a prominent physician on TV even though there is no
scientific evidence for benefit in humans?
Well it turns out that Super Beta
Prostate contains a substance from plants called beta-sitosterol. Beta-sitosterol has a chemical structure very similar to cholesterol.
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Beta sitosterol (from Chemblink) |
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Cholesterol (from Chemblink) |
Beta-sitosterol is found in our
diet in small amounts. Plants do not contain cholesterol but they do contain other sterols such as beta-sitosterol. Typically when sold as a dietary supplement, beta-sitosterol comes
from soybeans.
Beta-sitosterol is one of many
plant sterols that have been added to margarines like Smart Balance. When taken in sufficient amounts, at least 800 milligrams per day, such
plant sterols can lower serum cholesterol up to 10%. Plant sterols work to
lower cholesterol by making it more difficult for dietary cholesterol to get
absorbed.
The effect of plant sterols on
serum cholesterol has been known for over 50 years.
Okay, but how about Beta-sitosterol
and the prostate?
Beta-sitosterol has been studied as
treatment for symptoms from benign prostate enlargement. Most studies were
fairly short but were randomized and placebo controlled. The two largest studies
treated men for 6 months. One included 200 men; the other 177 men. 38 men continued
treatment for up to 18 months.
Overall a significant improvement
in symptoms related to enlarged prostate were seen. There was reduced urinary
frequency and improved flow and an expected decrease in the International Prostate
Symptom Score, a standard measure of symptoms related to prostate enlargement.
Beta-sitosterol appears safe unless, of course, you have the
disorder called sitosterolemia. Sitosterolemia also called phytosterolemia is probably not as rare as was previously thought but it sure is not common. One of my physician attendings during endocrinology fellowship has it.
So, if beta-sitosterol helps, how does it work?
It may work like finasteride (Proscar) but thus far studies are inconclusive.
It may work like finasteride (Proscar) but thus far studies are inconclusive.
The doses used appear to be around 60-130
milligrams a day.
And it is not clear if higher doses are
more helpful for prostate symptoms.
Beta-sitosterol is the only active
ingredient in Super Beta Prostate.
The rest of those ingredients do
nothing for the prostate and you are better off without them.
If you decide to take
beta-sitosterol, you can find a lot lower cost supplement than Super Beta
Prostate. The product CholestOff contains beta-sitosterol. One pill a day of CholestOff is plenty if you are using for its prostate benefit.
Keep in mind that you never know for sure exactly what you are getting in
dietary supplements since they are not regulated like prescription drugs.
Be well.
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