β-Sitosterol

CHD and hypercholesterolemia.

BPH and prostatitis.

Gallstones.

Enhances sexual activity.

Prevents colon cancer.

Boosts immune system.

Topically for treating wounds and burns.

Migraine headache, chronic fatigue syndrome, and symptoms of menopause.

Asthma, allergies, bronchitis, SLE, and alopecia.

Areas of potential application currently under investigation include the prevention of breast, ovarian, and lung cancers.

β-sitosterol is one of the major plant sterols found in humans. Its chemical structure is similar to that of cholesterol with an ethyl group added at position 24.

β-sitosterol is available in many nonprescription supplements and with dietary plant consumption.

With a low absorption rate, it inhibits intestinal absorption of cholesterol by competing for limited space with cholesterol in mixed micelles and also accelerates the esterification rate of the lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase enzyme.

In benign prostatic hyperplasia, it binds to prostatic tissue, inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in the prostate, and has anti-inflammatory activity.

Enhances proliferative responses of T cells in vitro.

Inhibits colon cancer growth in vitro.

Alternative for pts seeking modest reductions in LDL-C (<15%): Higher doses (4 g/d) can lead to reductions in LDL-C up to 19.8%, equivalent to doubling the dose of statin in dyslipidemic pts.

Reductions in triglycerides (6–9%) seen as well with 2 g/d doses of sterol.

Μay alter CNS disease progression, especially disorders that are correlated with an altered cholesterol metabolism, such as AD, MS, and ALS-PDC.

Some studies have shown anti-diabetic properties of β-sitosterol.