Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Plant Sterols

Nutritionists recognize two classes of phytosterols: (1) sterols, which have a double bond in the sterol ring; and (2) stanols, which lack a double bond in the sterol ring .


A mixed Phytosterol complex contains the following distinct plant sterols:

1) Beta-sitosterol

2) Campesterol

3) Stigmasterol


There are distinct structural differences between the above three plant sterols.


In the case of prostate health, it is beta-sitosterol that has been studied and reported to provide relief with respect to the symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate.