A prostate supplement addresses urinary incontinence and other symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), while at the same time bolstering overall prostate health.
As men age, the specter of BPH inevitably enters the health equation. This condition, typified by enlargement of the prostate gland, causes urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and more. If a man is lucky enough to live to 80, he stands a 90% chance of having BPH.
Prostate supplements provide a variety of natural ingredients with proven track records of addressing the causes and symptoms of BPH. Below are the best prostate supplements of 2023.
Rankings
1. Prostate Support+ by Nuzena
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Nuzena’s Prostate Support+ is loaded with researched-backed ingredients to help relieve bladder discomfort and help stop annoying nighttime bathroom trips. It also includes various vitamins for proper urinary functioning.
What we like: Nuzena includes only the best ingredients, including Saw Palmetto, which has been rigorously studied for its prostate health benefits. You’ll find no unnecessary additives or fillers in this product, either. And all Nuzena products are third party tested.
Flaws: It’s one of the pricier prostate supplements. But in this case you get what you pay for.
2. VitaBalance Prostate Plus
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VitaBalance Prostate Plus comes in a simple capsule formula designed to help stop nighttime trips to the bathroom and start urinating without pain. It’s third party lab tested and made in a GMP-certified facility to ensure every batch delivers the utmost quality and potency.
What we like: VitaBalance Prostate Plus uses only clinically effective dosages of the most sciefnitfally backed prostate support ingredients, including Stinging nettle root, cat’s claw, green tea and saw palmetto.
Flaws: Some people may view it as expensive.
3. Alpha Rise Ultimate Prostate Support
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If you can ignore the marketing hyperbole, you will discover that Alpha Rise Ultimate Prostate Supplement provides an impressive array of proven ingredients to bolster the health of your prostate gland.
What we like: The list of ingredients is impressive and includes zinc, various amino acids, antioxidants, and a generous portion of saw palmetto. The result is a supplement that does a reliable job of reducing BPH symptoms across the board.
Flaws: One of the more expensive prostate supplements. Not vegan.
4. UltaLife Advanced Prostate Supplement
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UltaLife Advanced Prostate Supplement provides a smart balance of ingredients that address the issue of prostate health from all sides: prevention, treatment, recovery. It also includes plenty of antioxidants that are crucial to protecting organs from oxidative stress.
What we like: UltaLife checks all the right boxes with saw palmetto to address incontinence, zinc to prevent BPH, and beta-sitosterol to arrest or even reverse enlargement. Does it also increase sexual vigor? Only you can say.
Flaws: Requires that you take it three times a day. That may be too much for some guys to remember.
5. Les Labs Prostate Health
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A little known fact is that men who consume above average amounts of boron typically have smaller prostates than other men. LES Labs did their research and included boron (among other things) in their outstanding Prostate Health supplement.
What we like: This is a potent mixture of saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol, boron, and more that addresses all aspects of prostate health. There are no GMOs, no artificial ingredients, and it is produced in the US in a GMP facility.
Flaws: Contains a few ingredients of questionable value.
6. Teraputics ProstatePro
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5-alpha-reductase enzymes are believed to play a role in BPH. Saw palmetto has shown promise in being able to block the activity of these enzymes. Teraputics ProstatePro is rich in saw palmetto.
What we like: There is quite an array of ingredients at work here, and most agree they deliver. The inclusion of beta-sitosterol will interest those looking for a non-pharmaceutical way to reduce prostate size.
Flaws: Points off for the proprietary blend. It also contains bovine gelatin, which will not appeal to vegans.
7. Super Beta Prostate Supplement
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Super Beta Prostate Supplement eschews saw palmetto in favor of beta-sitosterol, which has shown promise in clinical studies for reducing prostate size. The supporting cast of ingredients includes zinc and vitamin D that are known to promote prostate health.
What we like: This supplement approaches BPH from both sides. On the one hand, there is beta-sitosterol to arrest prostate growth. And, on the other hand, there is zinc that is potentially important in fending off BPH, to begin with.
Flaws: Something of an all or nothing product. It either works great or not at all.
8. Prostacet
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Oxidative stress is thought to be a contributing factor in the development of BPH. Prostacet offers a combination of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, and other ingredients like saw palmetto that are known to address BPH symptoms.
What we like: Contains a compelling mixture of herbal and western ingredients that address prostate health and urinary incontinence. And there are plenty of antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress that may contribute to BPH.
Flaws: Proprietary blend labels are never something we want to see. So points off for that.
9. Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto Supplement
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Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto gets right to the point. There are no questionable ingredients, no artificial additives and no need to take out a second mortgage to purchase their outstanding supplement. What they offer is saw palmetto. 500 mg in each capsule.
What we like: 500 mg of saw palmetto in each capsule. Most customers agree it is one of the more potent and effective supplements for enhancing urinary tract health and reducing incontinence. It is also quite affordable.
Flaws: A lot of asterisks in their marketing.
10. Eternal Zen Prostate Complete Support
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Eternal Zen goes all-in on herbal ingredients that buttress the action of the main players; saw palmetto, zinc, and selenium. The traditional herbs are here to enhance overall prostate health and function and to improve urinary function.
What we like: The supplement gets generally high marks for effectiveness and for producing few, if any, side effects. It is produced in the US in a GMP facility under the watchful eye of the FDA. So purity and quality is not an issue.
Flaws: What is an issue is that they drag out the proprietary blend label that prevents us from seeing exactly what we are getting. So points off for that.
11. Proaxil Prostate Supplement
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Proaxil is one of the few vegan-friendly prostate supplements. It embraces a variety of ingredients that address BPH and its symptoms while also enhancing overall prostate health. It is produced in the USA in a GMP facility and offers a 60-day money-back guarantee.
What we like: Proaxil provides an array of beneficial amino acids that bolster prostate health. It includes both saw palmetto to address prostate size and zinc to help slow progression and even prevent BPH in those not yet suffering from it.
Flaws: Proaxil has a dedicated following and typically sells out pretty fast.
Who Needs A Prostate Supplement?
BPH is the exclusive domain of older men. Typically those over 50. The unfortunate truth is that by the time they reach 80, some 90% of all men will have an enlarged prostate. This enlarged prostate, while not dangerous in and of itself, is nonetheless bound to produce a rash of adverse side effects. Primary among them is urinary incontinence.
The best approach to personal healthcare is always a preventative one. A prostate supplement can help men approaching 50 reduce their odds of developing BPH. Or, at least, slow the progression and reduce the severity of symptoms. In men who have already been beset by BPH, a prostate supplement may slow the progression and reduce the symptoms. In most cases, that means reducing urinary incontinence and perhaps restoring sexual vigor.
How We Ranked
BPH and its symptoms affect tens of millions of men every day. These men look to medical science for relief. But the cures offered by mainstream, clinically-based medicine often come at a high price, both literally and in the form of odious side effects. So it is no wonder that so many men are willing to try prostate supplements.
We applied a rigorous methodology to determine which prostate supplements from the current generation were worthy of inclusion on our list. We sifted through thousands of reviews, spent long hours dissecting user feedback, and examined the histories and reputations of the companies offering these supplements.
We also conducted extensive research into the efficacy of various ingredients and their clinical reputations. And we sought out all relevant scientific documentation that might bolster or debunk various claims being bandied about by marketing departments. Only those supplements that emerged unscathed made our list.
FAQs
Q: What is a prostate supplement?
A: A prostate supplement is a non-prescription dietary supplement used by men to combat urinary incontinence in general and BPH in particular. BPH, or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (1), is a common condition that afflicts older men and can cause them to repeatedly awaken during the night to urinate. By itself, it is not a life-threatening condition, but it can produce odious symptoms, including frequent urination and sexual dysfunction.
Q: Is BPH the same as prostate cancer?
A: BPH is often confused for prostate cancer (2). But in reality, there is no direct connection between the two (3). BPH is a non-life threatening condition that is common in older men. It does, however, often produce a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Prostate cancer, on the other hand, can be a life-threatening condition if not caught early. On the whole, however, 5-year survival rates for prostate cancer are generally quite good (4).
Q: What causes prostate cancer?
A: As of this writing, there is no clinical evidence that points directly to any specific cause of prostate cancer. There are, however, several known risk factors (5), including age, smoking, and genetics. The most important thing is that men over 50 have regular exams to either rule out prostate cancer or to alert them to its presence so they can commence treatment in a timely fashion.
Q: Can a prostate supplement improve my sex drive?
A: Unfortunately, one of the potential symptoms of BPH is sexual dysfunction. This may take the form of reduced sex drive, or the inability to maintain an erection. But however it manifests you may be able to turn the tide by using a prostate supplement. Keep in mind that many prescription drugs that treat BPH can aggravate sexual dysfunction, which makes prostate supplements an even more attractive alternative.
Q: Does diet affect prostate health?
A: Yes, both diet and exercise are believed to play a fundamental role in prostate health. Researchers at Harvard suggest eating a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables if you want to reduce your risk of BPH and prostate cancer (6). They also stress the importance of exercise in maintaining a healthy prostate.
Q: How do I know if the prostate supplement works?
A: The only way to know is to give it time and keep track of your symptoms. Most prostate supplements are not going to produce overnight results. You should, in fact, give a supplement at least a full month to begin showing results. The easiest metric to track will be trips to the bathroom. If you were making 10 trips every night, and after a month on a prostate supplement you are down to 4 or 5, that is a pretty clear indication the supplement is working.
Q: Where is the prostate gland located?
A: The prostate gland is located under the bladder. In younger men, it is about the size of a walnut. But once men pass 50, it begins to get progressively larger. Due to the way the reproductive system is organized, the urethra (7) runs from the bladder through the prostate on its way to the penis. Because of this, swelling of the prostate from BPH puts pressure on the urethra that can lead to urinary incontinence.
Q: What happens if I do not take a supplement for an enlarged prostate?
A: An enlarged prostate by itself does not typically present any danger to a man’s health. But it can produce some pretty unpleasant side effects, including frequent urination and sexual dysfunction. If you choose to do nothing, those symptoms are likely to get more pronounced over time. They may even progress to the point that Transurethral Resection of the Prostate, or TURP (8), is called for.
Q: Can a supplement shrink my prostate?
A: There are prescription drugs known as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors that will shrink the prostate (9). But they often come with a slew of adverse sexual side effects (10). Prostate supplements, on the other hand, do not have the same ironclad reputation for shrinking the prostate as 5-alpha drugs do. But ingredients like saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol have shown promise and produce almost no negative side effects.
Q: Are prostate supplements guaranteed to work?
A: There is no way a manufacturer can guarantee that a prostate supplement will produce the results you seek. What they can, and some do, offer is a money-back satisfaction guarantee. That is, if you are not satisfied with the results, some will return your money. But as for guaranteeing success, that is simply not possible.
Q: At what point should I seek treatment for BPH?
A: In most cases, a prostate supplement can provide relief from the worst BPH symptoms. In some instances, however, a supplement may not be enough. You should consider seeking medical treatment if the BPH has progressed to the point that it is interfering with your quality of life. Also, if suspected BPH is not responding to supplemental treatment, you may want to be tested for prostate cancer.
Q: How common is BPH?
A: BPH is incredibly common. In fact, nearly half of all men between 50 and 60 have it. The percentage only grows as men get older, with as many as 90% of men over 80 suffering from an enlarged prostate. So, if you are experiencing BPH symptoms, you are certainly not alone.
Q: How common is prostate cancer?
A: Prostate cancer is not as common as BPH, but it still affects 1 in every 9 adult males (11). With the chances of developing prostate cancer increasing with age. Just remember that there is no known connection between BPH and prostate cancer, even if the two sometimes coexist.
Q: Can a prostate supplement reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer?
A: If it does its job properly, a prostate supplement bolsters prostate health and alleviates some of the worst symptoms of BPH. However, there is no link between BPH and prostate cancer. As such, it is not possible to state with any certainty that treating the symptoms of BPH will reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.
Q: What is the proper dosage for a prostate supplement?
A: There are many different prostate supplements employing many different ingredient lists. So the dosage of each is going to vary. Some are designed to be taken once a day. Others may call for you to take a tablet or capsule two or three times per day. The only sound advice we can give is to read the instructions on the supplement bottle and follow them to the letter.
Q: Why do so many prostate supplements include saw palmetto?
A: Saw palmetto (also known by its scientific name, ‘Serenoa repens’) has been shown to enhance urinary function in men with BPH (12). And, since one of the primary symptoms of BPH is urinary incontinence, supplement makers often include generous doses of saw palmetto in their prostate supplements. No one is claiming saw palmetto will cure or reverse BPH. But it can, and often does, make living with it significantly easier.
Q: Are omega-3 fatty acids good for my prostate?
A: Omega-3 fatty acids have been getting a lot of press in recent years and for a good reason. They are vital to maintaining eye health, bolstering cardiovascular function, fighting inflammation, and improving bone strength. Studies also indicate that having low levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids can increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer (13)(14). So yes, omega-3 fatty acids are good for your prostate.
Q: Why do prostate supplements include zinc?
A: Zinc is one of the more common ingredients you will find in prostate supplements, and it is there for a good reason. Clinical studies have uncovered a clear and significant link between low levels of zinc and BPH (15). As such, zinc is included to help prevent or slow the development of BPH.
Q: What is prostatitis?
A: Prostatitis is a type of inflammation that can affect the prostate gland. Prostatitis may be caused by a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics. But just as often, its origins remain a mystery. Because its origins are often unknown, it is nearly impossible to determine if a prostate supplement can prevent it from occurring. But it might.
Q: Does BPH affect men of every age?
A: No. BPH is the exclusive domain of older men, typically those over 50. The physiological precursors to BPH may get underway when a man is in his 30s. But symptoms do not usually manifest until, as we said, a man is past 50. After that, prostate enlargement becomes more common and more pronounced.
Q: How does a doctor detect an enlarged prostate?
A: If you are an adult male over 30 and you have undergone a physical recently, you have not doubt been subjected to the probing index finger of the physician. This is called the ‘digital rectal exam’ (16). What the good doctor is checking for are signs that your prostate is enlarged or that there are problematic lumps on the prostate that might indicate prostate cancer.
Q: What are some symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
A: There are several signs that you may have an enlarged prostate. The first would be urinary tract infection (17). That can happen when urinary flow is disrupted. Difficulty initiating urination or fully evacuating the bladder are also telltale signs of an enlarged prostate. The need to urinate frequently and a weak or inconsistent urinary stream may also signal the development of BPH.
Q: What are the potential side effects of invasive prostate treatments?
A: Sometimes, invasive therapies are medically necessary. But in other cases, men choose this type of treatment over supplements. The type of BPH treatment you choose is up to you. But be aware that treatments such as ‘laser vaporization’ (18), ‘radiofrequency therapy’ (19), and ‘transurethral microwave therapy’ (20) may result in urinary tract infections, sexual dysfunction, pain, bleeding from the urethra and more.
Q: What should I do if a prostate supplement is not working?
A: There are many types of prostate supplements on the market, and they embrace many approaches to the treatment of BPH. So if your chosen prostate supplement is not providing the hoped-for relief, you can always try a different one. If you have any questions or feel that your symptoms are getting worse, you should contact your doctor before proceeding.
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Recap
Prostate supplements are a simple, effective, and affordable way for men to obtain relief from the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. They bolster prostate health, reduce the severity of urinary incontinence and, in some cases, may arrest or even reverse the process of prostate enlargement.
Prostate supplements take many different forms and address the issue of prostate health from many different angles. No single approach is likely to work for every man. So you may want to try a variety of supplements before deciding which one works best for you.
The above information is not intended as medical advice. It is intended solely to provide you a more well-rounded understanding of the issues involved so that you can make informed decisions going forward. If you have questions or concerns about BPH, you should discuss the matter with your doctor.
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