Supplement Scholar
Compound

Phytosterols (Plant Sterols)

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Phytosterols (Plant Sterols). Plant sterols/stanols competitively inhibit cholesterol absorption.

How it works. Compete with cholesterol for micellar incorporation in gut.

What the research supports. 1 graded claims. Strongest: Reduces LDL ~10% at 2 g/d (strong).

How much to take. Typical dose: 2 g/d with meals.

Side effects and interactions. 2 medication interactions listed. Serious: Sitosterolemia in rare genetic disorder.

Stacking. Pairs well with Omega-3, CoQ10.

Common forms. Available as Sitosterol, Stanol esters.

Key studies. 8 studies cited. The strongest are listed with links to PubMed.

Community. Experiences from people who have tried Phytosterols (Plant Sterols). Anecdotes are not medical advice.

Phytosterols (Plant Sterols). Plant sterols/stanols competitively inhibit cholesterol absorption.

Molecular structureC29H50O · 414.7 g/mol

What it is

Plant sterols/stanols competitively inhibit cholesterol absorption.

Also called

Beta-sitosterol

Food sources

Vegetable oilsNutsFortified foods

Goals

Cardiovascular Health

How it works

Compete with cholesterol for micellar incorporation in gut.

Pathways

  • Cholesterol absorption inhibition

Effects

  • ↓LDL cholesterol decreases

What the research supports

Reduces LDL ~10% at 2 g/dstrong

Strong: consistent results across large trials or meta-analyses. Moderate: several trials, mostly positive. Limited: small or mixed studies. Preclinical: animal or cell research only.

Typical dose
2 g/d with meals
TimingConsistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
With foodWith a meal containing fat for fat-soluble compounds; otherwise either.
Best formMost evidence is based on the sitosterol form.
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Side effects & interactions

Serious

  • Sitosterolemia in rare genetic disorder

Medication interactions

Ezetimibeminor

Additive cholesterol absorption block.

Fat-soluble vitaminsminor

Slight absorption reduction.

Check any supplement–medication combination with your pharmacist before starting.

Combines with

Pairs well

  • Omega-3Anti-inflammatory cardiovascular synergy.
  • CoQ10Supports mitochondrial energetics in cardiac tissue.

Common forms

  • Sitosterol
  • Stanol esters

Key studies

8 studies cited in total.

Plant sterols and stanols on LDL cholesterol ↗
Meta-analysis · J Nutr · 2009

Mean LDL reduction of 8.8%.

PubMed: Phytosterols (Plant Sterols) — Reduces LDL ~10% at 2 g/d ↗
Systematic review · PubMed (NLM) · 2026

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phytosterols (Plant Sterols) and "Reduces LDL ~10% at 2 g/d". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

PubMed: Phytosterols (Plant Sterols) — randomized controlled trial ↗
Systematic review · PubMed (NLM) · 2026

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Phytosterols (Plant Sterols) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Discussion

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