Beta-Sitosterol Benefits and Side effects

There are hundreds of “sterol” compounds (such as sterols and sterolins), which are plant-derived and structurally resemble the cholesterol.

One of those is called Beta-sitosterol.

The phytosterols that food mostly contains are beta-sitosterol, compesterol and stigmasterol.

We can find big amounts of phytosterols in plant oils.

This is why in nuts and seeds the concentration of the phytosterols is very high, followed by all fruits and vegetables, in which the amounts aren’t that high, but still considerable.

Though, it is said that including enough fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds in our daily diet helps in many various ways, in particular, to obtain beta-sitosterol. 

Claimed Benefits:

· Immune system support (especially during stress)

· Relieves allergies

· Reduces cancer risk (prostate, breast, colon)

· Anti-inflammatory and Pain relieving activity

· Relieves symptoms of enlarge prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH)

Beta-sitosterol could be found in most plants. This phytosterol and it’s compound, sitosterolin, differentiate from cholesterol in a way that they are not that well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, as cholesterol is. For this reason, they are playing a significant role in controlling the levels of cholesterol.

To an extend, beta-sitosterol, changes the immune function, as well. Its effect on the inflammation and the strength of pain is due to the controlling function it has on the inflammatory proteins. This modifies the production of cytokine and its activity and thus has an influence on the prostate enlargement and some allergies.

Health conditions related:

 Multiple Sclerosis

 Lupus

 Hyperlipidemia

 Colds and Flu

 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Some studies give proofs of what good effects may dietary phytosterols have. At first place, it is said to provide protection from the most wide-spread cancers, such as colon, breast and prostate cancer.

Laboratory test studies provide more evidences of the way phytosterols, and this sitosterol, in particular, influence the structure and function of cell membranes in healthy, as well as in cancerous tissue.

The result from it is a change in cellular signaling pathways, which are to regulate tumor growth and apoptosis (known as “cell death”). It also gives an explanation of the stimulation of immune system, regarding the quantity of this sitosterol.

Some studies were made on the human feeding. They show that if margarine, containing phytosterol (not less than 40 grams of phytosterols, containing beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol), is consumed for 3-4 weeks, will significantly lower the concentrations of LDL cholesterol (with about 20%).

 The levels of LDL cholesterol could be reduced with 5-15%, as well, if the doses of margarine per day are 2-6 grams. This is mostly done in cases of elevated cholesterol levels.

In the case of prostate, there are some scientific evidences of the good effect of beta-sitosterol. There are four studies, concerning prostate health – randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. They all prove the fact that beta-sitosterol eases the symptoms of BPH (frequency and volume of urination).

When talking about the immune function, it is proved that in humans beta-sitosterol can normalize the function of T-helper lymphocytes and natural killer cells, that usually are affected by some stressful events and thus suppressing the function of the immune system.

That immune suppression could be caused by any competition sports, like a running marathon, for example, and this sitosterol is also said to normalize the ratio of catabolic stress hormones (cortisol) to anabolic (rebuilding) hormones, example of which is DHEA.

Side effects:

There are no serious side effects or drug interactions, concerning beta-sitosterol. Many people experiment diarrhea or constipation at high dosage levels.  Even though there haven’t been any long-term safety studies on beta-sitosterol and its compound, their widespread usage in the daily diet is indirectly making them be accepted as rather safe.

Sources:

• supplementwatch.com/suplib/supplement.asp?DocId=2088&templateId=100
• Cardiovasc Drug Rev. 2005 Spring;23(1):57-70. Title:Efficacy and safety of sitosterol in the management of blood cholesterol levels. By Fernandez ML, Lega-Lopez S.(Pubmed).