What is Beta-sitosterol?

?-sitosterol is one of several phytosterols(also called plant sterols, a group of steroid alcohol, phytochemicals naturally occurring in plants), with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is white in colour and waxy in nature. It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and found in Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Curcurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), Pygeum africanum, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, and soybeans. Beta-Sitosterol is absorbed and transported through the body by the same mechanism as Cholesterol.

What is the effective supplement dosage?

Take 50 to 400 mg/day of beta-sitosterol with meals as a dietary supplement.

• 300 mg up to 5 grams per day for reduction of high blood cholesterol.
• Between 60 and 130 mg per day for prostatic hyperplasia-related symptoms.
• 300 mg supplement per day is recommended as dietary health supplements.

most effective supplement to lower total and LDL cholesterol

What are the benefits of ?-sitosterol?

• Beta sitosterol helps to prevent hair loss. Studies seem to indicate that it works by stopping the enzyme 5 alpha reductase dead in it's tracks (J Altern Complement Med. 2002 Apr;8(2):143-52.). This 5 alpha reductase enzyme converts testosterone into another hormone called DHT(culprit for hair loss), This would indicate that beta sitosterol would probably work better on people who have only just started losing hair, rather than those who have been bald for years who's hair follicles are more likely to be dead. This is really good news for professional bodybuilder who loses hair due to anabolic steroids.
• When Beta-sitosterol is indigested with meals, it can help reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed into the body from food, Beta-Sitosterol (300 mg per day) compete with Cholesterol for absorption in the Small Intestine, thereby reducing Cholesterol absorption.
• Beta-sitosterol helps to normalize blood sugar and insulin levels in Type II diabetics by stimulating the release of insulin in the presence of non-stimulatory glucose concentrations, and inhibiting glucose-6-phosphatase.
• It appears that diets high in vegetables and fruits prevent cancer to a certain degree. Soybeans are superb sources of protein that reduces the risk of cancer too. Beta-sitosterol is one of the key compounds in soybeans that suppress carcinogenosis.
• It protects the prostate against growth caused by age-related reactivation of increased conversion of testosterone to the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) form.Beta-sitosterol acts against cancer. It is found to reduce the growth of human prostate and colon cancer cells. It also acts against lymphocytic leukemia.
• Beta-Sitosterol may improve the response of TH1 Helper T-Cells in Acquired immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients.

What are the Side effects of ?-sitosterol?

Ecdysterone is safe at moderate/recommended dosage.

• At high dosage levels, ?-sitosterol supplement may cause constipation or diarrhea.
• At high dosage levels,it can interfere with how the body absorbs beta-carotene and vitamin E and, but taking a decent multi-vitamin should balance that out.
• At high dosages levels,it can decrease libido (sex drive),decrease volume of ejaculate; impotence (trouble getting or keeping an erection) and breast tenderness or enlargement.
• You should not take ?-sitosterol if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.