Prostate supplements are dietary supplements marketed to promote prostate health and reduce the risk of prostate-related conditions like prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (also known as an enlarged prostate). The evidence supporting the use of supplements like lycopene, selenium, and saw palmetto is generally weak, but there are some exceptions.

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1. Selenium

Selenium is an essential mineral with antioxidant properties, meaning that it fights unstable molecules called free radicals that damage DNA in cells. The damage can cause cells to age faster, increasing the risk of aging-related diseases like cancer. 

The evidence supporting the use of selenium supplements for prostate health is mixed:

  • Pro: Population-based studies show a significant link between low selenium levels and a higher risk of prostate cancer, suggesting that selenium deficiency plays a role.
  • Con: Controlled human trials are less conclusive, with studies among older men showing no change in the risk of prostate cancer with daily doses of 500 micrograms (mcg).

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of selenium for adult males is 55 mcg. Taking excessive doses (900 mcg and over) can cause nausea, diarrhea, hair loss, garlic breath, and nerve pain.

2. Zinc

Zinc is an essential mineral involved with cell turnover, meaning the replacement of old cells with new cells. Zinc is also required for semen production, in which the prostate gland plays a role. Health problems arise when prostate cells can no longer store zinc.

As with selenium, the benefits of zinc supplements are uncertain:

  • Pro: Population-based studies have linked zinc deficiency to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
  • Con: However, the excessive use of zinc can have an inverse effect. Studies have shown that taking more than 75 milligrams (mg) per day or taking zinc supplements for more than 15 years increases the risk of aggressive and potentially lethal prostate cancer. 

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for zinc for males is 11 mg. Taking more than this reduces the absorption of other nutrients like iron and copper. 

3. Lycopene

Lycopene is a plant-based compound called a carotenoid that gives fruits and vegetables (like tomatoes and beets) their red color. Lycopene is thought to support prostate health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. 

The evidence supporting the use of lycopene is also uncertain:

  • Pro: Some small studies have shown that lycopene reduces prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein whose concentration increases with an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer.
  • Con: However, studies investigating the relationship between lycopene supplements and prostate cancer have shown no benefit to supplementation.

Lycopene has no RDA or upper unsafe limit. However, the excessive consumption of lycopene can cause stomach upset and skin color changes.

4. Green Tea

Compounds in green tea called catechins have potent antioxidant effects. Chief among these is epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG), a type of catechin that may prevent certain cancers by inhibiting the growth of mutated cells. 

Evidence is mixed on the benefits of green tea catechins for prostate health:

  • Pro: A 2017 review of studies concluded that three cups or more of green tea daily reduces the risk of prostate cancer by delivering over 500 mg of EGCG daily. Other studies have linked a daily EGCG dose of 400 to 600 mg to a reduced prostate cancer risk.
  • Con: Studies involving men with high-grade precancerous prostate cells have reported that green tea catechins have no effect on whether the cells turned cancerous or not.

Consuming 400 mg daily of EGCG is considered well-tolerated and safe. However, taking them on an empty stomach can cause stomach upset.

5. Modified Citrus Pectin

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) has long been noted for its anticancer effects, specifically its ability to slow tumor development. It appears to block the activity of a specific molecule called galectin-3 that contributes to cancer growth.

Although few studies exist on MCP for prostate health, some of the research is promising:

  • Pro: A 2023 study reported that 85% of people with prostate cancer relapse who were given MCP as part of the treatment plan had no disease progression after 18 months.
  • Con: The above-listed study had no control group (meaning a matched group of individuals not given MCP). Without a control group to make a comparison, it’s hard to know for sure how much the results may have differed, if at all.

MCP is generally regarded as safe by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is well-tolerated by most individuals with few side effects.

6. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that may help reduce circulating male sex hormones (androgens) that can fuel the growth of prostate cancer.

There is mixed evidence supporting vitamin D supplementation for prostate health:

  • Pro: A 2019 review of studies suggests that supplementing with vitamin D lowers PSA levels. This corresponds to decreased inflammation in men with an enlarged prostate, potentially lowering the risk of prostate cancer.
  • Cons: Still, the researchers could find no relevant association between vitamin D supplementation and the incidence or risk of prostate cancer. 

The RDA for vitamin D for males 18 to 70 years is 15 mcg or 600 international units (IU). Taking excess amounts can cause diarrhea and interact with diuretics (“water pills”), anticoagulants (“blood thinners”), and other drugs.

7. Soy

Soy found in tofu, miso, soy milk, and other foods contain plant-based compounds called isoflavones that may support prostate health. One type known as genistein has been shown in lab studies to impair the growth of prostate tissues in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.

Even so, studies to date have yielded mixed results:

  • Pros: A 2024 population-based study reported that the “consumption of soy products can reduce the overall risk of prostate cancer in men,” with non-fermented products like edamame having the most impact.
  • Cons: A 2016 review of studies concluded that isoflavones “do not play an important role in PSA levels” in either men with prostate cancer or those without.

Soy is generally well-tolerated in non-allergic individuals but may cause bloating, stomach pain, and diarrhea in some, particularly with fermented soy.

8. Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto is a shrub-like palm plant whose berries are commonly used in herbal medicine to treat urinary problems like overactive bladder or incontinence. There is also evidence, albeit weak, that it may help with conditions like BPH and prostatitis (prostate inflammation).

  • Pro: A 2022 review in the journal Drugs & Aging suggested that a proprietary extract of saw palmetto (called Permixon) has anti-inflammatory effects similar to alpha blockers like finasteride used to treat BPH.
  • Con: Experts at the National Institute of Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) have concluded that, based on current research, saw palmetto has no tangible effect on BPH symptoms.

Saw palmetto is generally safe and well-tolerated with only mild side effects, like upset stomach and headaches. 

9. African Cherry Bark

Alternative practitioners commonly cite African cherry bark as an effective natural treatment for BPH. African cherry bark contains steroid-like compounds called phytosterols that may help lower prostate inflammation.

Among the research currently available:

  • Pro: Lab studies have identified several chemicals in African cherry bark (like triterpenes and beta-sitosterol) that actively kill cancer cells, along with others (like atraric acid and ferulic acid) that block the effects of androgens on prostate cancer growth.
  • Con: Outside of test tube research, no studies have shown a direct association between African cherry bark and the risk of BPH, prostatitis, or prostate cancer.

Studies have safely used African cherry bark at doses between 100 and 200 mg daily for one to two months.

10. Rye Grass Pollen Extract

Rye grass pollen (Secale cereal), marketed as an extract under the brand name Cernilton, is an over-the-counter remedy used for the treatment of BPH, chronic prostatitis, and chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). 

Rye grass pollen extract works by relaxing the muscles of the urinary tract, relieving pressure on the prostate gland. It also blocks the conversion of testosterone into the active version called dihydrotestosterone, potentially lowering the risk of prostate cancer progression.

Even so, the results remain mixed:

  • Pro: A 2019 review of studies supports the use of a broad category of grass pollen, including rye grass pollen, as a useful complementary therapy for BPH and chronic prostatitis.
  • Con: A Cochrane review could only conclude that Cernilton was “well tolerated and modestly effective” in easing urinary symptoms associated with BPH. There is no research into the benefits of rye pollen grass with prostate cancer.

Research involving a proprietary rye grass pollen extract, called Cernilton, suggests that the extract is safe and well tolerated. Even so, people with a severe allergy to rye should avoid it.

Facts About Dietary Supplements

Dietary supplements are not stringently regulated in the United States, and none are approved by the FDA for the treatment of any medical condition.

To better ensure purity, opt for supplements that have been independently tested and certified by third-party bodies like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), NSF International, or ConsumerLab.

Before starting any supplement, always check with a healthcare provider or pharmacist to ensure you have no medical conditions that contraindicate their use and there are no interactions with any medications you are taking.