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 As
one of several phytosterols, plant compounds with chemical
structures similar to that of cholesterol, beta-sitosterol is
commonly found in foods such as wheat germ, soybeans, and corn oil.
Over the past few years, concentrated extracts of this particular
phytosterol have been tested for lowering cholesterol and lessening
such discomforts of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) as frequent
and painful urination.
The reduction of cholesterol levels
appears to be because beta-sitosterol blocks absorption of
cholesterol. A review of several double-blind studies designed to
test the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in men with symptomatic benign
prostatic hyperplasia showed that the phytosterol (beta-sitostero)
significantly improved urological symptoms and flow measure in study
participants.
Europeans have long taken beta-sitosterol and
other plant remedies for prostate problems and growing numbers of
American men are following suit. Beta-sitosterol products are now
widely available in health-food outlets, and promising research
results on beta-sitosterol for BPH are being published.
Other
purported benefits of Beta-sitosterol include boosting immunity and
normalizing blood sugar, relieving inflammation, healing ulcers,
enhancing uterine tone, and alleviating cramps. However, these
health benefits of beta-sitosterol have not been substantiated by
scientific evidence.
Dosage and
Administration
Beta-sitosterol typically comes in
mixtures with other phytosterols and also with substances such as
pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto extract. In Europe, doses used for
BPH are 20 to 130 milligrams of beta-sitosterol three times daily
with meals. Maintenance doses are 10 to 65 milligrams of
beta-sitosterol two to three times daily with
meals.
Supporting
Literature
Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch
HJ, Senge T. Randomized placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical
trial of beta-sitosterol in patient with benign prostatic
hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet. 1995; 345;
1529-1532.
Grundy SM, Ahrens EH Jr, Davignon J. The interaction
of cholesterol absorption and cholesterol synthesis in man. J Lipid
Res 1969;10:304-15
Wilt TJ, Mac Donald R, Ishani A.
Beta-sitosterol for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a
systematic review. BMU Int. 1999;
83:976-983.
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