{"id":16901,"date":"2019-09-16T16:00:02","date_gmt":"2019-09-16T16:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=16901"},"modified":"2026-06-03T12:37:26","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T12:37:26","slug":"beta-sitosterol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/prostate-health\/beta-sitosterol\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor Answers: Does Beta Sitosterol Shrink Prostate?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you have recently been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), you might be exploring your treatment options, and may have come across beta-sitosterols. These naturally occurring plant sterols have been gaining popularity as a potential remedy for prostate issues. But does beta sitosterol shrink prostate?<\/strong>  We spoke with Dr. Hamad, a prostate health specialist, to better understand how beta-sitosterol works, its safety, and its real-world benefits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this interview, Dr. Hamad shares valuable insights drawn from published research and his clinical experience. All of the content here has been carefully reviewed and is based on peer-reviewed data provided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: Where are beta-sitosterols found?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>Beta-sitosterols are plant-based substances and can be found in vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Herbs such as saw palmetto<\/a> and pygeum africanum<\/a> contain beta-sitosterol and have been traditionally used to treat prostate problems<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These substances are called phytosterols and are similar in chemical structure to the cholesterols naturally found in the human body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u03b2<\/strong>–Sitosterol<\/strong> is one of several plant sterols with chemical structures<\/strong> similar to that of cholesterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: How does beta-sitosterol work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>Beta-sitosterol is a plant substance similar to cholesterol. Some research indicates that it might help reduce cholesterol levels<\/a> by limiting the amount of cholesterol that enters the body. It can also bind to the prostate to help reduce prostate<\/a> inflammation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beta-sitosterol works to inhibit the activity of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which is a key trigger in the development of BPH<\/a> and prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finasteride<\/strong><\/a> (Proscar)<\/strong> and other 5-alpha-reductase-inhibitor drugs work on this same hormonal pathway. (Note: This is different from drugs like Flomax, which simply relax the muscles). Although they can provide symptomatic relief, they have well-documented side effects<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple randomized studies have confirmed the efficacy of beta-sitosterol in alleviating the types of prostate discomfort that aging men so frequently encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are the health benefits of beta-sitosterol?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beta-sitosterols and BPH<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>These plant sterols are often used by men to treat an enlarged prostate, a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia<\/a>, or BPH. BPH is common among men 60 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) occurs when the prostate, expands to twice or even three times its regular size. The growing prostate gland<\/a> gradually presses against the urethra and restricts urinary flow. As a result, the bladder muscle becomes stronger, thicker, and more sensitive, causing it to contract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This results in more frequent urination<\/a>, and as the urethra becomes increasingly narrowed, the urine remains in the bladder, accounting for urinary problems. Beta-sitosterols have been shown to help alleviate the symptoms of BPH<\/a> by increasing your urine flow rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This was shown in a systematic review, which assessed 519 men from 4 randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, (lasting 4 to 26 weeks). Three trials used non-glucosidic B-sitosterols and one utilized a preparation that contained 100% B-sitosteryl-B-D-glucoside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In these studies, beta-sitosterol improved urinary symptom scores and urinary flow rates. It also significantly reduced the volume of residual urine in the bladder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the University of Bochum in Herme, Germany, Dr. Berges and his associates used pure beta-sitosterol with 200 men over the course of a year, half of whom received a placebo. They said that ‘significant improvement in symptoms and urinary flow parameters show the effectiveness of beta-sitosterol in the treatment of BPH.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A follow-up study by Dr.Berges in 2000 further highlighted the benefits of beta-sitosterol for urinary symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time they did a long term study, over an eighteen-month period. This was a double-blind study and they measured basic indices to show how the participants were affected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The untreated men got worse with time, while the men treated with beta-sitosterol experienced significant improvement in urinary symptoms<\/a> associated with BPH. The researchers concluded that the beneficial effects of beta-sitosterol treatment. were maintained for eighteen months.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beta-sitosterol and Prostate Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>These plant sterols are also used to treat other prostate conditions, other than BPH. Research is being done to prove how these powerful sterols can be used to prevent colon and prostate cancer. In early studies, beta-sitosterol has been shown to reduce cancer cell growth and even cause cancer cell death<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These studies have been conducted only on prostate cancer<\/a> cells in culture. No tests have been conducted on humans yet. However, these are promising results that beta-sitosterols and other phytosterols can eventually be used to both treat and prevent cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study published in Nutrition and Cancer compared the effect of two dietary sterols on prostate cancer cells in vitro. beta-Sitosterol, the most common plant sterol, and cholesterol, and animal sterol, were compared for effect on cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and sphingomyelin cycle intermediates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cells were treated for up to seven days with sterols. Compared with cholesterol, beta-sitosterol decreased growth by 24% and induced apoptosis fourfold, which was accompanied by cell rounding and a 50% increase in ceramide production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results suggest that the decrease in cell number and increase in apoptosis associated with SIT treatment are mediated by activating the sphingomyelin cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What kinds of supplements contain Beta-sitosterols?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>You can get beta-sitosterols through your diet<\/a>, in foods such as peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, rice bran, and corn oils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, many men opt to use a dietary supplement to meet their needs. This is because they get higher doses of beta-sitosterols than in their food. Studies have shown that beta-sitosterols are safe and have no adverse long-term effects on your health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to understand that dietary supplements are not well regulated. You should do your research before purchasing any. Be sure to read all labels and look for supplements<\/a> that have high amounts of beta-sitosterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also want to buy supplements that contain ingredients such as saw palmetto<\/a>,pygeum<\/a>, and ryegrass pollen<\/a>. Though these are not listed as beta-sitosterols, they are all plants that contain this power phytosterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Q: What are other uses for beta-sitosterol?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Hamad answers: <\/strong>You may be surprised to find that these phytosterols are used for many different conditions besides BPH.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some proposed<\/strong> or traditional<\/strong> uses being researched include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n