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Nutritional Supplement

Beta-Sitosterol

Also indexed as:Phytosterols (Beta-Sitosterol), Plant Sterols (Beta-Sitosterol), Plant Sterols

  • Heart and Circulatory Health

    High Cholesterol

    More than 50 years of research has shown consumption of sitostanol and beta-sitosterol, plant compounds known as phytosterols, lowers cholesterol levels.
    High Cholesterol
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    Beta-sitosterol and sitostanol are examples of phytosterols, plant compounds related to cholesterol. Phytosterols reduce dietary cholesterol absorption and alter cholesterol metabolism, and numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses have found dietary and supplemental phytosterols, especially sitosterols and sitostanols, lower cholesterol levels.4 In particular, clinical trials using margarine and other foods enriched with highly-absorbable sitostanol esters have noted substantial improvements in lipid profiles with an intake of 2–3 grams of sitostanol esters daily.5 Findings from research reviews indicate long-term use of 2 grams of sitostanols and sitosterols daily can reduce LDL-cholesterol levels by as much as 10–20%.6,7 Supplementation with beta-sitosterol or sitostanol has also been shown to enhance the cholesterol-lowering effect of statin drugs.8 In addition to improving lipid levels, beta-sitosterol has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, immune-modulating, liver-protective, and anti-anxiety properties that may add to its health-promoting effects.9

  • Prostate Support

    Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

    Men taking beta-sitosterol, a compound found in many edible plants, have reported improved BPH symptoms and urinary flow.
    Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
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    Beta-sitosterol, a compound found in many edible plants, has also been found to be helpful for men with BPH. In one double-blind trial, 200 men with BPH received 20 mg of beta-sitosterol three times a day or a placebo for six months. Men receiving beta-sitosterol had a significant improvement in urinary flow and an improvement in symptoms, whereas no change was reported in men receiving the placebo.10 Another double-blind study reported similarly positive results using 130 mg per day of beta-sitosterol.11

  • Recovery

    Athletic Performance and Post-Exercise Infection

    Beta-sitosterol, found in many plants, has been shown in one trial to improve immune function in marathon runners when combined with B-sitosterol glucoside. This implies that beta-sitosterol might reduce infections in athletes who engage in intensive exercise.
    Athletic Performance and Post-Exercise Infection
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    Beta-sitosterol, (BSS) a natural sterol found in many plants, has been shown in a double-blind trial to improve immune function in marathon runners when combined with a related substance called B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG).12 This implies that beta-sitosterol might reduce infections in athletes who engage in intensive exercise, though studies are still needed to prove this. The usual amount of this combination used in research is 20 mg of BSS and 200 mcg of BSSG three times per day.

  • Fitness

    Athletic Performance and Post-Exercise Infection

    Beta-sitosterol, found in many plants, has been shown in one trial to improve immune function in marathon runners when combined with B-sitosterol glucoside. This implies that beta-sitosterol might reduce infections in athletes who engage in intensive exercise.
    Athletic Performance and Post-Exercise Infection
    ×

    Beta-sitosterol, (BSS) a natural sterol found in many plants, has been shown in a double-blind trial to improve immune function in marathon runners when combined with a related substance called B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG).13 This implies that beta-sitosterol might reduce infections in athletes who engage in intensive exercise, though studies are still needed to prove this. The usual amount of this combination used in research is 20 mg of BSS and 200 mcg of BSSG three times per day.

What Are Star Ratings?
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Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

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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. Ying J, Zhang Y, Yu K. Phytosterol compositions of enriched products influence their cholesterol-lowering efficacy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Eur J Clin Nutr 2019;73:1579–93.

5. Gylling H, Strandberg TE, Kovanen PT, et al. Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion. Nutrients. 2020;12:2346.

6. Salehi B, Quispe C, Sharifi-Rad J, et al. Phytosterols: From Preclinical Evidence to Potential Clinical Applications. Front Pharmacol 2020;11:599959.

7. Cusack LK, Fernandez ML, Volek JS. The food matrix and sterol characteristics affect the plasma cholesterol lowering of phytosterol/phytostanol. Adv Nutr 2013;4:633–43.

8. Gylling H, Plat J, Turley S, et al. Plant sterols and plant stanols in the management of dyslipidaemia and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis 2014;232:346–60.

9. Babu S, Jayaraman S. An update on β-sitosterol: A potential herbal nutraceutical for diabetic management. Biomed Pharmacother 2020;131:110702.

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

11. 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.

12. Bouic PJD, Clark A, Lamprecht J, et al. The effect of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runners: Inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation. Int J Sports Med 1999;20:258-62.

13. Bouic PJD, Clark A, Lamprecht J, et al. The effect of B-sitosterol (BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon runners: Inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation. Int J Sports Med 1999;20:258-62.

14. 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.

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

16. 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.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.