Beta-Sitosterol Complex

Beta-Sitosterol Complex

Beta-sitosterol is a chemical found in all plant foods including rice bran, soybeans, wheat germ, and corn oil. It is one of the main subcomponents of phytosterols (heart-healthy nutrients) and is known to offer a great number of health benefits. Even though it naturally occurs in foods, the amount present in fruits and vegetables is just too small so you need to load up on supplements to achieve its therapeutic benefits.

Benefits of Beta-Sitosterol

For the past several decades, doctors have routinely prescribed a variety of plant-based drugs such as beta-sitosterol in the treatment of a wide array of diseases and improvement of overall health. The following are among the many proven health benefits of beta-sitosterol:

Improves Cholesterol Levels

According to a 2010 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, beta-sitosterol supplementation among men with abnormal cholesterol levels at 2000 mg per day significantly reduced the level of low density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) by increasing fecal cholesterol excretion and intestinal cholesterol absorption.^[1] This finding is highly significant because even the slightest reductions in bad cholesterol levels can drastically reduce one’s risk for heart disease and stroke.

Improves Prostate Health

Beta-sitosterol is widely used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland resulting in urinary problems. Although non-cancerous, BPH can cause the bladder to be blocked, making it impossible or extremely hard to pass urine. Interestingly, results from two high quality studies show that beta-sitosterol supplementation in men with BPH significantly improved the symptoms and urinary flow parameters, indicating the effectiveness of beta-sitosterol in the treatment of this prostate condition.^[2-3]

Boosts Immune Function

Human clinical trials have shown that beta-sitosterol supplementation can help strengthen the immune system by enhancing the functions of T-lymphocytes and natural killer cells.^[4] The reestablishment of these immune parameters may be of great help in preventing chronic immune-mediated abnormalities such as rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases and chronic viral infections.

Fights Cancer

A 2005 study revealed that beta-sitosterol can inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells by inducing programmed cell death and arresting cells at different locations.^[5] This finding suggest that beta-sitosterol can be an effective treatment alternative in other types of cancers.

Accelerates Wound Healing

Results from one high quality study show that the use of moist exposed burn ointment containing beta-sitosterol is effective in treating patients with partial thickness burns of the face.^[6] Similarly, a 2009 study published in the Journal of the Euro-Mediterranean Council for Burns and Fire Disasters reported that beta-sitosterol accelerates the wound healing process by promoting epithelialization, a process in which granulation tissues form.^[7] 

Improves Exercise Recovery

Performing vigorous exercises can lead to pain and inflammation of the muscles in different body parts. Interestingly, one study found that beta-sitosterol supplementation can help prevent exercise-induced muscle pain and inflammation, thereby improving exercise recovery.^[8] According to the study, marathon runners who took beta-sitosterol capsules prior to exercise had less of inflammatory response compared to those who took placebo.

References:

1. Racette SB, Lin X, Lefevre M, et al. Dose effects of dietary phytosterols on cholesterol metabolism: a controlled feeding study. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010;91(1):32-38. doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28070.
2. Wilt T, Ishani A, Macdonald R, Stark G, Mulrow C, Lau J. Beta-sitosterols for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001043.
3. Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, Senge T. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet. 1995;345(8964):1529-32.
4. Bouic PJ, Lamprecht JH. Plant sterols and sterolins: a review of their immune-modulating properties. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4(3):170-7.
5. Awad AB, Burr AT, Fink CS. Effect of resveratrol and beta-sitosterol in combination on reactive oxygen species and prostaglandin release by PC-3 cells. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2005;72(3):219-26.
6. Ang ES, Lee ST, Gan CS, et al. The role of alternative therapy in the management of partial thickness burns of the face–experience with the use of moist exposed burn ointment (MEBO) compared with silver sulphadiazine. Ann Acad Med Singap. 2000;29(1):7-10.
7. Jewo PI, Fadeyibi IO, Babalola OS, et al. A Comparative Study of the Wound Healing Properties of Moist Exposed Burn Ointment (MEBO) and Silver Sulphadiazine. Annals of Burns and Fire Disasters. 2009;22(2):79-82.
8. Bouic PJ, Clark A, Lamprecht J, et al. The effects 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(4):258-62.