Phytosterols - Nature Cures®

Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds that are similar in structure and function to cholesterol. All phytosterols in human blood and tissues are derived from the diet because humans cannot synthesise phytosterols. The modern diet provides far less phytosterols than it used to.

Because phytosterols inhibit the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, daily consumption of foods with at least 0.8 g of plant sterols or stanols lowers human serum LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They can also reduce inflammation and improve urinary tract symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (noncancerous enlargement of the prostate).

High intakes of phytosterols, particularly sitosterol, can inhibit cancerous tumours. Unlike normal cells, abnormal (cancerous) cells lose their ability to respond to death signals that initiate apoptosis (programmed cell death). Foods rich in phytosterols have been found to induce apoptosis in human prostate, breast and colon cancer cells.

Natural sources of phytosterols in alphabetical order

Almonds
Amaranth
Apples
Apricots
Ash gourd
Asparagus
Bamboo shoots
Baobab fruit
Beetroot
Bell peppers (green)
Brussel sprouts
Cabbage
Capers
Cloves
Cucumber
Dill
Legumes
Lemon (peel)
Lettuce
Macadamia nuts

Mung beans
Okra
Olive oil
Orange (peel)
Oregano
Paprika
Peanuts
Pumpkin and seeds
Rapeseed oil
Rice bran oil
Rye
Safflower
Sage
Sesame seeds and oil
Sunflower seeds and oil
Thyme
Tomatoes
Wheat germ
Whole grains

NOTE: Beetroot, cauliflower, cucumber (skin), lemon peel, lettuce, okra, rice bran oil, sage, sesame seeds and oil (cold-pressed), sunflower seeds and oil (cold-pressed) and thyme are the richest sources. Phytosterols are sensitive to heat therefore cooking, milling and refining processes all remove a lot of the sterols in processed foods.

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