Overview

Plant sterols are substances that are similar to cholesterol but are made in plants. They're found in the highest amounts in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.

Plant sterols might help reduce cholesterol levels by limiting the amount of cholesterol that is able to enter the body. Some plant sterols might also reduce how much cholesterol is made in the body.

People commonly use plant sterols for lowering cholesterol levels. Plant sterols are also used for heart disease, colon cancer, stomach cancer, obesity, heart attack, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.

Don't confuse plant sterols with beta-sitosterol or sitostanol. These are specific types of plant sterols.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Likely Effective for

  • Inherited tendency towards high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia). When used along with a cholesterol-lowering diet, taking plant sterols by mouth reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in children and adults with high cholesterol levels due to familial hypercholesterolemia.
  • High cholesterol. Taking plant sterols by mouth lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels in people with high cholesterol who are also following a cholesterol-lowering diet. But it doesn't seem to reduce triglyceride levels.

Possibly Effective for

  • Heart disease. Eating foods that contain at least 3.4 grams of plant sterols daily as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet might help prevent heart disease.
There is interest in using plant sterols for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Plant sterols are likely safe for most people. They're usually well-tolerated.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Plant sterols are likely safe for most people. They're usually well-tolerated. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if plant sterols are safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Plant sterols are likely safe when taken by mouth in doses of 1.6-2.3 grams daily for up to 6 months.

Sitosterolemia, a rare inherited fat storage disease: People with this condition might have a build up of plant sterols and related fats in their blood and tissues. Taking plant sterols might make this condition worse. Don't take plant sterols if you have sitosterolemia.

Short bowel syndrome, a condition related to removal of part of the gut: Plant sterols should be used cautiously in people with this condition. They might affect liver function.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for PLANT STEROLS overview.

Dosing

In adults, plant sterols have most often been used in doses of 1.6-3 grams by mouth daily for up to 1 year. In children, plant sterols have most often been used in doses of 1.6-2.3 grams by mouth daily for up to 6 months. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.
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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.