Beta-Sitosterol for Sports & Fitness
Beta-Sitosterol for Sports & Fitness
What is it?
Beta-sitosterol is one of a group of organic compounds found in plants that, alone and in
combination with similar plant sterols, reduces blood levels of cholesterol.1 2 3
Where is it found?
Beta-sitosterol is one of several plant sterols (cholesterol is the main animal sterol)
found in almost all plants. High levels are found in rice bran, wheat germ, corn oil, and soybeans.
Peanuts and its products, such as peanut
oil, peanut butter, and peanut flour, are
good sources of plant sterols, particularly beta-sitosterol.4
Why do athletes use it?*
Some athletes say that beta-sitosterol
- helps boost resistance to infection.
What do the advocates say?*
A combination of beta-sitosterol (BSS) and BSSG, a related compound, is known to enhance
some parts of the immune system in animals and humans. While not proven to prevent infections
in athletes, this combination has been shown to prevent the decline in immune function often
experienced at the end of an ultramarathon.
How much is usually taken by athletes?
BSS, a natural sterol found in many plants, has been shown in a double-blind trial to
improve immune function in marathon runners when combined with a related substance called
B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG).5 This implies that beta-sitosterol might reduce
infections in athletes who engage in intensive exercise, though studies are still needed to
prove this. The usual amount of this combination used in research is 20 mg of BSS and 200 mcg
of BSSG three times per day.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Ingesting plant sterols interferes with
beta-carotene and vitamin E absorption,
resulting in lower blood levels of these nutrients.6
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with beta-sitosterol.
*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for
beta-sitosterol based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual
opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or
published scientific articles on beta-sitosterol. For more complete and detailed information,
including references and safety information, see
Beta-Sitosterol as a nutritional supplement.
References
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1. Lees AM, Mok HYI, Lee RS, et al. Plant sterols as cholesterol-lowering
agents: clinical trials in patients with hypercholesterolemia and studies of sterol balance.
Atherosclerosis 1977;28:325-38.
2. Pelletier X, Belbraouet S, Mirabel D, et al. A diet moderately
enriched in phytosterols lowers plasma cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolemic
humans. Ann Nutr Metab 1995;39:291-5.
3. Jones PJ, Raeini-Sarjaz M, Ntanios FY, et al. Modulation of plasma
lipid levels and cholesterol kinetics by phytosterol versus phytostanol esters. J Lipid
Res 2000;41:697-705.
4. Awad AB, Chan KC, Downie AC, Fink CS. Peanuts as a source of
ß-sitosterol, a sterol with anticancer properties. Nutr Cancer
2000;36:238–41.
5. Bouic PJD, Clark A, Lamprecht J, et al. The effect of B-sitosterol
(BSS) and B-sitosterol glucoside (BSSG) mixture on selected immune parameters of marathon
runners: Inhibition of post marathon immune suppression and inflammation. Int J Sports
Med 1999;20:258–62.
6. Richelle M, Enslen M, Hager C, et al. Both free and esterified plant
sterols reduce cholesterol absorption and the bioavailability of beta-carotene and
alpha-tocopherol in normocholesterolemic humans. Am J Clin Nutr
2004;80:171–7.
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It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience,
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