Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol. It is a compound that is similar to cholesterol but cholesterol is only found in animal foods and beta-sitosterol comes from plants. Several foods have at least small amounts of beta-sitosterol in them, but some people take beta-sitosterol supplements because of potential health benefits.
Dietary supplements of beta-sitosterol often come in the form of functional foods, like margarines. Beta-sitosterol may be effective for heart disease, high cholesterol or an enlarged prostrate.
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Beta-sitosterol is a substance in plants, including foods like vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts, according to WebMD. Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol ester that has medicinal uses. People may take beta-sitosterol for serious conditions like heart disease or for boosting the immune syste... more
Beta-sitosterol is a substance in plants, including foods like vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts, according to WebMD. Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol ester that has medicinal uses.
People may take beta-sitosterol for serious conditions like heart disease or for boosting the immune system. It may also be useful for preventing conditions like hair loss and is used for a variety of conditions related to inflammation.
Some people use beta-sitosterol as a topical treatment. It may help wounds to heal more quickly.
There is some evidence that beta-sitosterol is effective for treating second degree burns. Beta-sitosterol and berberine ointment are both as effective as the conventional burn treatment, silver sulfadiazine.
Even though beta-sitosterol is similar to cholesterol in structure it may help decrease cholesterol levels in the body, according to WebMD. It lowers LDL, “bad,” cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. It does not increase HDL, “good,” cholesterol though.
According to eMedTV.com, beta-sitosterol blocks absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. Beta-sitosterol works mostly within the digestive system. It functions by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine. People get cholesterol from eating animal foods, but the liver also produces cholesterol. Even though some people may not eat any animal products, beta-sitosterol can still lower cholesterol levels by limiting how much of the cholesterol secreted by the liver is absorbed.
Beta-sitosterol should not be confused with sitostanol, which is also used to treat cholesterol. The two substances may be equally as effective at lowering cholesterol, but they are not the same.
Beta-sitosterol may reduce swelling and inflammation in many instances. People who run marathons sometimes take beta-sitosterol for decreasing swelling and pain after running.
The substance can bind itself to the prostate in men to decrease inflammation, according to RXList.com. Even though beta-sitersterol may reduce symptoms of an enlarged prostrate, it does not actually shrink the prostrate, states WebMD. However, less inflammation can relieve urinating difficulties in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia, which is a condition with an enlarged prostate.
Beta-sitosterol may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which may benefit an enlarged prostate because it reduces the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, DHT, according to eMedTV.com. The body needs BHT to enlarge the prostate.
There are other reasons people use beta-sitosterol, but according to WebMD there is not enough evidence to determine whether the supplement is beneficial. Conditions that require more research before beta-sitosterol can be considered an effective treatment for them include:
WebMD also states that beta-sitosterol is likely ineffective for gallstones. It may also be ineffective for tuberculosis, but some evidence shows the opposite.
Beta-sitosterol may be effective for preventing a range of conditions, such as:
According to an About.com article published in April 2012, beta-sitosterol occurs naturally in foods such as soy and flaxseed. Beta-sitosterol can also be added in supplemental form to some foods that are included in diets to lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. These foods may include spreads and margarines.
Based on evidence from past studies that beta-sitosterol can lower cholesterol, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given manufacturers permission to claim their foods may reduce risk of coronary heart disease. However, there is no conclusive evidence that beta-sitosterol can in the long run decrease heart disease risk.
According to WebMD, research has established general dosage amounts for beta-sitosterol supplements based on the use. People with high cholesterol may take between 800 milligrams and 6 grams daily before meals. The amount may either be taken in one sitting or be broken up into two or three doses, according to eMedTV.com.
People who have benign prostatic hyperplasia and wish to reduce symptoms of their enlarged prostates can take between 60 and 130 milligrams daily, but divided into two or three doses.
Different beta-sitosterol products may have other recommendations. Generally, people take beta-sitosterol with meals because this can reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the meal. Some people believe that beta-sitosterol tablets and capsules do not dissolve well. Beta-sitosterol products like margarine that contain fat may be better absorbed.
According to WebMD, beta-sitosterol is likely safe when taken orally. It can, however, cause mild to moderate side effects. Side effects from taking beta-sitosterol by mouth include:
Beta-sitosterol's sexual side effects may be due to its effect on male hormones, particularly testosterone and dihydrotestosterone. Prescription medications that treat hair loss and enlarged prostates are known to have similar effects on hormones and they also cause sexual side effects.
WebMD states that using beta-sitosterol topically is possibly safe.
Some people are prone to an allergic reaction from taking beta-sitosterol. According to eMedTV.com, signs of an allergic reaction include:
Some people should not take beta-sitosterol. It is not approved for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to a lack of research that would prove it is safe. Even women who are looking to become pregnant should talk to their doctors about beta-sitosterol.
People with sitosterolmia, a rare fat storage disease, should avoid beta-sitosterol usage. Sitosterolmia is an inherited disease that results in an excess of beta-sitosterol and similar fats in the body. This makes patients prone to early heart disease. Using beta-sitosterol if one has this disease can worsen the condition.
Although beta-sitosterol usage is probably safe in most people if taken in normal amounts, some people are more prone to experiencing issues with beta-sitosterol than others, according to eMedTV.com. People with allergies, even allergies to dyes or preservatives, should discuss their allergies with their doctors before taking beta-sitosterol.
Anyone with a vitamin deficiency caused by a malabsorption digestive problem should also first consult their doctors before trying beta-sitosterol.
People can experience interactions between their medications and beta-sitosterol supplements. These interactions may cause minor to moderate issues.
According to WebMD, a potential minor interaction may occur between beta-sitosterol and pravastatin (Pravachol). Pravastatin can reduce the amount of beta-sitosterol in the body, which could lessen the effectiveness of beta-sitosterol.
According to RXList.com, a drug called ezetimibe (Zetia) can have a moderate interaction with beta-sitosterol. Ezetimibe may decrease the amount of beta-sitosterol that the body is able to absorb, which could lessen the effects of beta-sitosterol.
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Sources:
| Constipation |
| Decreased Libido |
| Diarrhea |
| Erectile Dysfunction |
| Gas |
| Hives |
| Indigestion |
| Itching |
| Nausea |
| Rashes |
| Swelling Of The Throat |
| Trouble Breathing |
| Wheezing |
| 3-B-D-glucoside , 3-beta-stigmast-5-en-3-ol, 22-23-dihydrostigmasterol, 24-beta-ethyl-delta-5-cholesten-3beta-ol, 24-ethyl-cholesterol, Angelicin, B-Sitosterol, B-Sitosterolin, Beta Sitosterin, Beta Sitosterol, Beta-Sitosterol Glucoside, Beta-Sitosterol Glycoside, Campesterol, Cinchol, Cupreol, Phytosterol Esters, Phytosterols, Plant Sterol Esters, Plant Sterolins, Plant Sterols, Quebrachol, Rhamnol, Sterinol, Sterolins, Stigmasterol, Sitosterin, Sitosterol, Vegetable Oil Sterol Esters |
| Burns |
| Decreases Inflammation |
| Heart Disease Prevention |
| Lowering Cholesterol |