Beta-sitosterol

β-sitosterol is one of several phytosterols with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is white in colour and waxy in nature.

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Sources

It is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and found in Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Curcurbita pepo (pumpkin seed), Pygeum africanum, cashew fruit, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, sea-buckthorn and wolfberries.

Uses

Alone and in combination with similar phytosterols, β-sitosterol reduces blood levels of cholesterol, and is sometimes used in treating hypercholesterolemia.

One small study shows a positive effect on male hair loss in combination with Saw palmetto.^[1]

There is some belief that it plays some role in the possible benefits of herbal therapy of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). β-sitosterol itself is used as a medicine in Europe for BPH.

References

1. ^ Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G (2002). "A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia". Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 8 (2): 143-52. doi:10.1089/107555302317371433. PMID 12006122.