Phytosterols are plant sterols with structures related to cholesterol and which are capable of lowering plasma cholesterol on consumption by humans. Elevated blood cholesterol is one of the well established risk factors for coronary heart disease and lowering this indicator can presumably impact heart disease incidence (Thurnham 1999). Phytosterols are the major constituents of the unsaponifiable fraction of sea buckthorn
oils. The major phytosterol in sea buckthorn oil is sitosterol (β-sitosterol), with 5-avenasterol second in quantitative importance. Other phytosterols are present in relatively minor quantities. The total quantity of phytosterol is quite high in sea buckthorn and may exceed soybean oil by 4–20 times.

It was reported that the total sterol content, varied between subspecies and collection sites, in the seeds, fresh pulp/peel, and the whole berries were 1200–1800, 240–400, and 340–520 mg/kg, respectively (Yang et al. 2001). The seed oil (1094 mg/ 100g) and pulp oil (721 mg/ 100g) are also rich in sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which is known to have anti carcinogenic activity. Clearly, as a source of dietary sterol, sea buckthorn is worthy of further consideration.

Research done on beta sitosterol shows that it is a strong anti inflammatory, can reduce cholesterol levels and supports prostate health.Remember, phytosterols are not hormones. Rather, they are the food for hormone production in the body. Research has found that because phytosterols produce the prohormones DHEA and progesterone, a broad spectrum of conditions can be addressed or prevented through its use. These natural hormone precursors (DHEA and progesterone) made from dioscorea are easily absorbed into the system and have the ability to support the body’s production of hormones. 

Plant sterols and stanols are thought to reduce the absorption of cholesterol by our intestine . This reduction in absorption makes the liver remove more harmful LDL cholesterol from our circulation, thereby reducing the amount of LDL in the blood. It is believed that plant sterols and stanols lower the total cholesterol level and the level of harmful low density lipoproteins (LDL), but seem to have no effect on the heart-friendly HDL cholesterol levels or triglyceride levels.

Typical daily intake of plant sterols/stanols ranges from 160-400mg a day, which is thought to have little effect on cholesterol absorption. If you are a strict vegetarian, you are likely to consume between 600 and 800mg of plant sterols/stanols. Studies suggest that if you consume 2-3g of plant sterols/stanols, this can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 9 - 20%, although there is considerable variation between individuals. Do healthy people need to eat plant sterols? (Read this before you start your next diet.

Sterols: Formidable Disease Fighter Chris O'Brien MARCH 2002

PLANT STEROL ESTERS/STEROLS MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE Veris Research information service Nov.2003

A review of the literature, published in 1999, found a total of four double-blind placebo-controlled studies on beta-sitosterol for BPH, enrolling a total of 519 men.

All but one of these studies found significant benefits in both perceived symptoms and objective measurements, such as urine flow rate.

The largest study followed 200 men with BPH for a period of 6 months. After the trial was completed, many of the participants were followed for an additional year, during which the benefits continued.Similar results were seen in a 6-month double-blind trial of 177 individuals.

Beta-sitosterol binds to prostate tissue and affects the metabolism of prostaglandins, substances found in the body that affect pain and inflammation. However, it is not clear whether this is the correct explanation for how beta-sitosterol might help in BPH.

Wilt TJ, MacDonald R, Ishani A. Beta-sitosterol for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. BJU Int. 1999;83:976–983.

Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. German BPH-Phyto Study group. Br J Urol. 1997;80:427–432.

Kadow C, Abrams PH. A double-blind trial of the effect of beta-sitosteryl glucoside (WA184) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Eur Urol. 1986;12:187–189.

Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet. 1995;345:1529-1532.

Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet. 1995;345:1529–1532.

Berges RR, Kassen A, Senge T. Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia with beta-sitosterol: an 18-month follow-up. BJU Int. 2000;85:842–846.

Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. German BPH-Phyto Study group. Br J Urol. 1997;80:427–432

Schulz V, Hansel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag; 1998:231.