Beta-sitosterol

What is beta-sitosterol?

Beta-sitosterol is a substance found in plants. Chemists refer to beta-sitosterol as a plant sterol ester. Beta-sitosterol is found in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. It is used to make medicine.

Beta-sitosterol is used to treat heart disease and high cholesterol levels. It is also used to strengthen the immune system and prevent colon cancer, as well as for gallstones, colds and flu, HIV/AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, psoriasis, allergies, cervical cancer, fibromyalgia, systemic lupus erythematosus, asthma, hair loss, bronchitis, migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome. Some men use beta-sitosterol for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate) and some people use it to treat symptoms of menopause. In addition, beta-sitosterol is used to increase sexual activity. Marathon runners sometimes use beta sitosterol to reduce pain and swelling after a run. Some people apply beta sitosterol to the skin to treat wounds and burns. In food manufacturing, beta sitosterol is added to certain types of margarine that are used as part of a cholesterol-lowering diet and to prevent heart disease. In some countries it is permitted to advertise such margarine products as being able to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. However, although there is much scientific evidence that beta sitosterol lowers cholesterol levels, there is still no evidence that long-term use actually reduces the risk of developing coronary heart disease. One should not confuse beta sitosterol with sitostanol, even though both beta sitosterol and sitostanol are used to reduce cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol levels and appear to be equally effective.

How does beta sitosterol work?

Beta sitosterol is a plant compound that is similar to cholesterol. It may help reduce cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of cholesterol that enters the body. Beta-sitosterol may also bind to the prostate to help reduce inflammatory swelling.

Potential health benefits of beta sitosterol

Beta sitosterol may help lower cholesterol levels

One of the most common uses for beta sitosterol is to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract (1). This can lower levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease such as coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis. Studies show that people who manage to maintain low total cholesterol levels and low LDL cholesterol levels tend to not only eat less fat, but also eat more foods that are relatively rich in fiber and other plant compounds such as sterols. To help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, experts recommend consuming at least 2 grams of plant sterols such as beta sitosterol in the form of healthy foods like nuts and seeds. Studies show that beta sitosterol can lower levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol without having a negative effect on levels of healthy HDL cholesterol (2). Recommended doses of beta sitosterol for lowering LDL cholesterol levels are at least 200 mg or more per day. Since phytosterols such as beta sitosterol can lower LDL cholesterol levels but cannot raise levels of healthy HDL cholesterol, it is still important to consume healthy fats as part of your daily diet.

Beta sitosterol has antioxidant properties

Beta sitosterol has antioxidant properties that can protect the body's cells from oxidative damage. One study has shown that beta sitosterol can reduce oxidative damage associated with diabetes by increasing antioxidant levels in the pancreas (3).

Beta sitosterol can normalize blood glucose levels and reduce damage from elevated blood glucose levels

Beta sitosterol has shown positive results in studies when it comes to stimulating insulin secretion and reducing blood sugar levels (3, 4). It has also been shown to lower glycated hemoglobin levels, which are a measure of the damage caused by permanently elevated blood glucose levels (3).

Beta sitosterol could support the function of the immune system

Studies suggest that beta sitosterol could improve the function of the immune system (5). For example, a double-blind study with marathon runners showed that beta sitosterol can improve immune function. This suggests that beta sitosterol could reduce infections in athletes undergoing intense physical training.

Beta sitosterol may have anti-cancer effects

Studies suggest that beta sitosterol may be able to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells and inhibit the growth of colon cancer and breast cancer cells (6). However, it is not used as a sole agent for cancer treatment, but could be considered as an adjunctive treatment with other drugs and procedures.

Beta sitosterol could help prevent prostate problems

Beta sitosterol is also used to reduce symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, which can include problems with control and frequency of urination. Beta sitosterol is believed to help reduce swelling and inflammation of the prostate, which can cause pain and an increased urge to urinate. The exact mechanisms for this are not yet fully understood. All that is known is that they are linked to cholesterol metabolism and anti-inflammatory effects. A 2000 study review aimed at investigating the effects of beta sitosterol on the urinary tract and urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia concluded that beta sitosterol improved both, but did not result in a reduction in prostate size (7). Official statistics show that by the age of 60, over 60 percent of all men suffer from prostate enlargement and that in men aged 85 and over, as many as 90% suffer from this problem. Several studies suggest that beta sitosterol can improve urinary tract symptoms including urine flow. This was also reflected in a significant improvement in the International Prostate Symptom Score, which is a measure of the severity of symptoms of prostate enlargement (8, 11, 12, 13, 14). Beta sitosterol appears to act via similar mechanisms as the prescription drug Procar by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme responsible for the production of DHT in the body (9). DHT is one of the primary hormones involved in benign prostate enlargement. Beta sitosterol can also relieve swelling and inflammation of the prostate, which in turn can reduce pain and urinary urgency. In addition, this can lead to a reduction in the amount of urine remaining in the bladder, which can contribute to a feeling of relief after urination. In addition to this, Beta Sitosterol can reduce the amount of estrogen produced in the male body by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme. Because beta sitosterol acts as an estrogen receptor agonist that binds to estrogen receptors without producing a significant estrogen effect, it can serve as an estrogen receptor blocker that reduces the effect of existing estrogen (10). This estrogen double whammy can lead to an alleviation of prostate problems, as estrogen is the second primary hormonal factor contributing to prostate enlargement besides DHT. In addition to benign enlargement of the prostate, beta sitosterol could also reduce the risk of prostate cancer and inhibit prostate cancer growth. A study with prostate cancer cells of the cell line LNCaP (an androgen-dependent tumor) showed that beta sitosterol reduced the growth of cancer cells by 24% and quadrupled the induced apoptosis (programmed cell death). This was accompanied by a 50% increase in ceramide production (15). Scientific studies suggest that ceramide - an important component of the cell membrane - induces apoptosis (16). In another study, beta sitosterol reduced the growth of androgen-dependent human prostate cancer cells by 70% compared to a placebo (17).

What other health benefits are associated with beta sitosterol?

• Inflammation: Beta sitosterol has anti-inflammatory effects that may counteract the symptoms of prostate inflammation.
• Hair loss: Some men report that the use of beta sitosterol in combination with Saw Palmetto improves hair growth and quality.
• Burns: There is some evidence that treating second-degree burns with beta-sitosterol and berberine ointment works just as well as conventional treatment with silver sulfadiazine.

Safety and side effects

Beta-sitosterol is probably safe and harmless for most people when taken orally. It may cause some side effects such as nausea, digestive problems, flatulence, diarrhea or constipation. Beta-sitosterol has also been linked to reports of erectile dysfunction and a decrease in sexual interest. Beta-sitosterol may be safe and harmless when applied to the skin.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of beta-sitosterol during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid beta-sitosterol.

Sitosterolemia, a rare inherited fat storage disorder: People who suffer from this disease have too much beta-sitosterol and related fats in their bodies. They are more susceptible to early onset heart disease. Taking beta-sitosterol exacerbates this disease, which is why people suffering from sitosterolemia should not take beta-sitosterol.

Dosage

The following dosages have been investigated in scientific studies: Oral intake:

• For benign prostate enlargement: 60 to 130 mg beta-sitosterol per day divided into 2 to 3 single doses.
• For high cholesterol levels: 800 mg to 6 grams of beta-sitosterol per day divided into several doses taken before meals.

Beta-sitosterol is usually used in combination with a low-fat diet.

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
   PMC3296732/
2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/pdf/
   10.1161/01.CIR.10.2.201
3. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
   49669785_Antidiabetic_and_antioxidant_
   potential_of_b-sitosterol_in_Streptozotocin-induced_
   experimental_hyperglycemia
4. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
   339638999_Effect_of_b-sitosterol_on_glucose_
   homeostasis_by_sensitization_
   of_insulin_resistance_via_enhanced_protein_
   expression_of_PPRg_and_glucose_transporter_
   4_in_high_fat_diet_and_streptozotocin-induced_
   diabe
5. https://www.thieme-connect.com/products
   /ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2007-986793
6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17266177/
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10796740/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
   PMC3798925/
9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12006122/
10. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15113961/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10792163/
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7540705/
13. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9313662/
14. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10796740/
15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9824850/
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15796189/
17. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11916349/

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