	New customer? Sign Up Current customer? Log In

Home· Vitamins· Minerals· Supplements· Herbs· Home & Grocery· Diet & Fitness· Body & Bath

Homeopathy Sexual Health Aromatherapy Pet Care

FREE Standard Shipping on orders over $49! (Click for details)

Quick Order Form»

Departments

Vitamins Minerals Supplements Herbs Home & Grocery Diet & Fitness Body & Bath

More Ways to Shop

Brands A-Z Natural Remedies Children & Infants Women's Health Men's Health Seniors

Free Catalog

MotherNature.com's Catalog Is Here! Click Here to Get Your Free Copy Today.

Newsletter Sign Up

Weekly health news, sale announcements and coupons!

Library Home > Nutritional and Dietary Supplements > Beta-Sitosterol

BETA-SITOSTEROL

Visit The Healthy Living Bookshelf:

21 Online Health Books From Rodale

View Our Related Product Sections:

High Cholesterol

What does it do? Beta-sitosterol—alone and in combination with similar plant sterols—reduces blood levels of cholesterol.¹ ² ³ This appears to be because beta-sitosterol blocks absorption of cholesterol.⁴ It has also been effective in reducing symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.⁵

Although molecules quite similar to beta-sitosterol inhibit cancer cells in test tubes, the relevance of this information for people remains unknown.⁶

Where is it found? Beta-sitosterol is one of several plant sterols (cholesterol is the main animal sterol) found in almost all plants. High levels are found in rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, and soybeans. Peanuts and its products, such as peanut oil, peanut butter, and peanut flour, are good sources of plant sterols, particularly beta-sitosterol.⁷

Beta-sitosterol has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):

Rating	Health Concerns
	Benign prostatic hyperplasia
	High cholesterol
	Athletic performance (in combination with beta-sitosterol glucoside for reducing the risk of post-exercise infection)
Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit. Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit. An herb is primarily supported by traditional use, or the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.

Who is likely to be deficient? Because beta-sitosterol is not an essential nutrient, deficiencies do not occur.

How much is usually taken? Between 500 mg and 10 grams of beta-sitosterol per day have been used in clinical research to reduce elevated blood cholesterol levels. Between 60 (20 mg three times per day) and 130 mg per day have been used in trials reporting a reduction in prostatic hyperplasia-related symptoms.⁸ ⁹

Are there any side effects or interactions? No significant side effects or interactions have yet been reported in studies on beta-sitosterol.

At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with beta-sitosterol.

References:

1. Lees AM, Mok HYI, Lee RS, et al. Plant sterols as cholesterol-lowering agents: clinical trials in patients with hypercholesterolemia and studies of sterol balance. Atherosclerosis 1977;28:325–38.

2. Pelletier X, Belbraouet S, Mirabel D, et al. A diet moderately enriched in phytosterols lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolemic humans. Ann Nutr Metab 1995;39:291–5.

3. Jones PJ, Raeini-Sarjaz M, Ntanios FY, et al. Modulation of plasma lipid levels and cholesterol kinetics by phytosterol versus phytostanol esters. J Lipid Res 2000;41:697–705.

4. Grundy SM, Ahrens EH Jr, Davignon J. The interaction of cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis in man. J Lipid Res 1969;10:304–15 [review].

5. Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 1995;345:1529–32.

6. Kiriakidis S, Stathi S, Jha HC, et al. Fatty acid esters of sitosterol 3ß-glucoside from soybeans and tempeh (fermented soybeans) as antiproliferative substances. J Clin Biochem Nutr 1997;22:139–47.

7. Awad AB, Chan KC, Downie AC, Fink CS. Peanuts as a source of ß-sitosterol, a sterol with anticancer properties. Nutr Cancer 2000;36:238–41.

8. Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Lancet 1995;345:1529–32.

9. Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of ß-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Urol 1997;80:427–32.

Home | Shop | Library | About Us | Security & Privacy Policy

Ordering Help

Shipping & Returns

Have Questions?

Other Services

Accept Credit Cards Online

Order By Phone 1-800-439-5506 (M-F 9-5 EST)

Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. Information about each product is taken from the labels of the products or from the manufacturer's advertising material. MotherNature.com is not responsible for any statements or claims that various manufacturers make about their products. We cannot be held responsible for typographical errors or product formulation changes. You should read carefully all product packaging. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.All discounts are taken from suggested retail prices.