What Are the Dangers of Beta Sitosterol?

Beta sitosterol is a substance found in fruits, vegetables nuts and seeds, and is used in herbal medicine. Despite its use in the treatment of high cholesterol and prostate enlargement, beta sitosterols pose a risk for side effects.

Explanation

• Beta sitosterols do not pose any large dangers for most people. The plant-based product does have the potential to cause some side effects in average patients, but it can be uncomfortable or annoying.

Types of Side Effects

• Some side effects of beta sitosterols are gastrointestinal in nature, and include nausea, indigestion, gas, diarrhea and vomiting. There are also reports of beta sitosterols causing impotence and decreased libido.

Risks

• Some patients who take beta sitosterols develop severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions, causing shortness of breath, wheezing, skin hives and chest pain.

Solution

• Because of the risk for allergic reactions or side effects, some patients choose to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables to get more dietary beta sitosterol instead of relying on supplements. Foods that are high in beta sitosterols include avocados, pistachio nuts, raw grape leaves and fava beans.

Considerations

• If you are pregnant or nursing, or suffer from a rare fat storage disease called sitosterolemia, it might not be safe for you to take beta sitosterol supplements.