Re: beta-sitosterol - drug guide

JOHN WHIPPLE 2003-07-05 17:24:19

I'm responding to this because I've been planning to get some of this stuff
and try it. Seems that the number one reason people take Beta-Sitosterol is
that it's supposed to be good for men just in general. This is from a
medical site, not a site selling it. I have both an enlarged prostate and
moderately high cholesterol. Here's some info that I found a long time ago
and saved. Notice the 1999 heading - I better find my way to the
procrastinators newsgroup. :)

Beta-Sitosterol:
Why 'Eat your fruits and vegetables' is good advice
November 1999

by Daniel J. Bourassa, D.C.
Beta-sitosterol is one more reason why your grandmother was right when she
instructed you to "eat your fruits and vegetables." Beta-sitosterol, one of
the main subcomponents of a group of plant sterols known as phytosterols, is
a white, waxy substance. While beta-sitosterol has a chemical structure that
is very similar to that of cholesterol, it is only manufactured by plants,
not by mammals. In fact, beta-sitosterol is found in many plant oils we use
on a daily basis, such as corn and soy oil. Unfortunately, the average
American diet provides only 200 to 300 mg of beta-sitosterol per day-far
less than the optimum levels required for health benefits, according to one
authority.(1) Research into beta-sitosterol has shown beneficial effects
against a wide variety of human ailments.

Controlling Cholesterol

For the last 30-plus years, beta-sitosterol has been known to safely reduce
cholesterol levels. Beta-sitosterol's close chemical resemblance to
cholesterol allows it to be incorporated into mammal cellular membranes,
thereby blocking the absorption of cholesterol by competitive inhibition.
Though beta-sitosterol is not well-absorbed by the body (5-10%), when
consumed with cholesterol it effectively blocks cholesterol's absorption,
resulting in lower serum cholesterol levels. Beta-sitosterol has also been
shown to favorably influence lipoprotein (HDL, LDL) profiles.

Promoting Prostate Health

Dr. Ward Dean previously described a number of herbal preparations shown to
help prevent and treat prostate problems like benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH).(2) These herbs include saw palmetto extract, Pygeum africanum, and
stinging nettle. Pumpkin seeds are also often used and are occasionally
beneficial in BPH.(3)

In Europe, herbal preparations are often considered prescription drugs
(Permixon-saw palmetto, Tadenan-Pygeum africanum,
Azuprostat-beta-sitosterol). These plant sterols improve prostate symptom
scores, improve quality of life, and reduce urine volume and residual urine
levels. Incredibly, they exert these apparent benefits without reducing the
size of the prostate! Beta-sitosterol-alone or as a constituent of one of
the other herbs-is one of the major active constituents in these herbal
preparations. Indicative of the high regard in which beta-sitosterol is
held, one research team reported that "beta-sitosterol itself is an
effective option in the treatment of BPH."(4)

Anti-Cancer Effects

A number of studies have indicated that beta-sitosterol may have powerful
anti-cancer properties as well. Beta-sitosterol was found to reduce growth
of human prostate(5) and colon cancer cells,(6) and displayed antitumor
activity against lymphocytic leukemia.(7)

In this regard, it is widely accepted that diets high in vegetables and
fruits result in lower incidences of cancer of all types. Diets high in soy
have long been associated with anticancer benefits in many organ systems,
and low cancer mortality rates. Beta-sitosterol appears to be one of the key
compounds in soybeans that suppresses carcinogenosis.(8)

Boosts Immunity

Beta-sitosterol may give a boost to athletes involved in endurance sports.
Marathon runners and endurance athletes often suffer from immune suppression
and reduced inflammatory response during intense training periods and post
event. Beta-sitosterol has been shown to prevent this breakdown in the
immune system.(9) Beta-sitosterol was also noted to enhance lymphocyte
proliferation and NK-cell activity.(10) This enhancement of the immune
system should be of benefit to anyone wishing to boost their immune status,
specially during times of physical stress or active disease process.

Normalizes Blood Sugar

Beta-sitosterol has been shown to normalize blood sugar and insulin levels
in Type II diabetics. The mechanism for this effect is that
beta-sitosterol-3-beta-D-glucoside stimulates the release of insulin in the
presence of non-stimulatory glucose concentrations,(11) and inhibits
glucose-6-phosphatase.(12) The significance of this is that in the liver,
the enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase is the primary pathway for conversion of
dietary carbohydrates to blood sugar. Glucose-6-phosphatase dephosphorylates
glucose-6-phosphate to yield free D-glucose. Free D-glucose then passes into
the blood, elevating blood sugar levels. Slowing the rise of blood glucose
levels by down-regulation of glucose-6-phosphatase helps delay the
age-related worsening of glucose tolerance and delay the onset of Type II
(maturity onset) diabetes.

Other Benefits of Beta-sitosterol

An extensive review of the scientific literature cites studies showing
beta-sitosterol's anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal actions, and
ability to relieve inflammation, heal ulcers, and enhance uterine tone and
alleviate cramps.(1) There is even a Japanese patent for beta-sitosterol as
a treatment for baldness!

Conclusion

Research has shown that beta-sitosterol is an effective adjunct in the
support of benign prostatic hypertrophy. For those already taking supplement
formulas for BPH (ProstaCol, Pygeum africanum, Saw Palmetto Extract,
Stinging Nettle, etc.), who may not experience the full range of positive
results these herbal extracts have been proven to exhibit, the addition of
beta-sitosterol should be considered.

Research also supports a role for beta-sitosterol as an agent to safely
lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular performance, and for the
management of blood sugar levels. Additionally, beta-sitosterol has been
shown to support immune enhancement for athletes and in instances where
increased immune response is desired, such as in cancer and infectious
diseases, including TB and HIV. Mason recommends 300 mg supplement per day,
although there have been no reports of toxic effects at any dosage.

References

1. Mason R, Beta-sitosterol -the "Natural Prostate Miracle"; Young Again
Products, DTM, Inc., NY It has been proposed that the plant extracts
(including beta-sitosterol) exert their effects as 5 alpha-reductase
inhibitors, similar to the prescription drug Finasteride. 5 alpha-reductase
is the primary pathway in the conversion of testosterone to
dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-testosterone's active form.

2. Dean, W, Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy, Near-Universal Malady in Men over
50. Vitamin Research News, Aug, 1998.

3. Bracher, F., Phytotherapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Urologe A 1997
Jan;36(1):10-17.

4. Klippel K. F., et al., 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 Sep;
80(3): 427-32.

5. von Holtz RL, et. al., beta-Sitosterol activates the sphingomyelin cycle
and induces apoptosis in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Nutr Cancer
1998;32(1):8-12.

6. Awad AB, et al., beta-Sitosterol inhibits growth of HT-29 human colon
cancer cells by activating the sphingomyelin cycle. Anticancer Res 1998
Mar-Apr;18(2A):1227

7. Miles DH, Kolpol U, Tumor inhibitors II: constituents and antitumor
activity of Sarracenia flava. Journal Pharm Sci 1976 Feb;65(2):284-5.

8. Kennedy AR, et al., The evidence for soybean products as cancer
preventive agents. Journal of Nutrition 1995 Mar;125(3 Suppl):733S-743S.

9. Bouie PJ, et al., The effects of B-sitosterol (beta-sitosterol) and
B-sitosterol glucoside (beta-sitosterolG) mixture on selected immune
parameters of marathon runners: inhibition of post marathon immune
suppression and inflammation. Int Journal Spots Med 1999 May;20(4):258-62.

10. Bouie PJ, et al., beta-Sitosterol and beta-sitosterol glucoside
stimulate human peripheral blood lymphocyte proliferation: implications for
their use as an immunomodulatory vitamin combination. Int J Immunopharmacol
1996 Dec;18(12):693-700.

11. Ivorra MD, et al., Effect of beta-sitosterol-3-beta-D-glucoside on
insulin secretion in vivo in diabetic rats and in vitro in isolated rat
inslets of Langerhans. Pharmazie 1990 Apr;45(4):271-3.

12. Rahman, et al. in Pure Applied Chemistry 1994.

"kjpjr" wrote in message
news:ohjNa.168285$nr.7904834@twister.southeast.rr.com...

> I have been taking this for about a month -- I stopped taking flomax when

> started this. I take one pill 2x a day and my "functions" are back to
> normal. I have much more control during the day -- seem to be longer

between

> bathroom stops.
>
> At night I am getting up once instead of 3 to 5 times.
>
> I am not connected with the web site or company below in any way shape or
> form -- the stuff seems to be working for me and it is cheaper that Flomax
> even with my fairly good Rx insurance. There may be other places that sell
> this but this is who I am using. I found the product by doing web

searches.

> It didn't seem like the Flomax at 4mg was doing much good and 8mg gave me
> headaches. I had also been on Flomax about a year.
>
> http://www.youngagain.com/betpros30.html
>
>