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.
Other People Are Reading
-
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.
-
