Benefit of Phytosterols & Phytostanols

Phytosterols are naturally occurring chemicals found in all plant foods. Phytostanols are a subgroup of phytosterols. The difference between the two lies in chemical structure, but they have similar benefits.

Cholesterol

• Phytosterols and phytostanols have the well-documented benefit of lowering both total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in humans and decreasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Cancer

• According to the Linus Pauling Institute, animal studies have produced limited data that suggest that taking very high amounts of phytosterols might inhibit the growth of breast and prostate cancers.

BPH

• According to the Linus Pauling Institute, a few clinical trials have found that phytosterols and phytostanols decrease the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Food Sources

• The highest amounts of phytosterols and phytostanols are found in unrefined plant oils, including vegetable, nut, and olive oils. Other good dietary sources are seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grains. A variety of food products have added phytosterols and phytostanols.

Supplements

• Phytosterol supplements are available as beta-sitosterol. You should take these supplements with meals that contain fat, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Also, pregnant or breast-feeding women should not take these supplements, because their effect in higher doses on the developing fetus, if any, is unknown.