Better Eat Eat these Beta Sitosterol Foods to Stay Healthy

Beta sitosterol foods are becoming popular among the masses and deserve attention too. This article breaks down all the health impacts and related theories of the plant sterols. 

Introduction: 

Our bodies are home to several vital compounds one of which is sterols. Sterols are a class of molecules that resemble fat and are found naturally in plants and animals. 

The most common sterols are stigmasterol, campesterol, and ß-sitosterol which are found in plants (also called Phytosterols). Another one that is commonly known is cholesterol which is found in animals. In all of these sterols, beta sitosterol is one very important type of sterol extracted from plants. If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, you might be interested in supplements that promote cardiovascular health. In general, you might want to look at those which maintain healthy levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The plant sterol known as beta-sitosterol is one such. Let us explore it along with beta sitosterol foods recommended for human consumption. 

What is Beta Sitosterol?

Also termed β-sitosterol is a plant-based sterol that remembers cholesterol in its molecular structure with its four-ring structure and a hydrocarbon tail. This similar molecular structure allows it to compete with cholesterol in our diet for absorption in the digestive system. It exists as a white, waxy powder with a distinct smell.  

The most prevalent plant sterol in the diet is sitosterol which is not produced by the body. This characteristic is a notable distinction from its similar cousin, cholesterol. While over 50% of dietary cholesterol is absorbed in a healthy body, only less than 5% of plant sterols are absorbed. This means that human bodies have lower amounts of plant sterols than cholesterol. 

Health Benefits of Beta Siltosterol Foods:

Beta Siltosterol has many strong health benefits to human beings. First, it has a significant impact on reducing cholesterol levels and lowering low-density lipoprotein. A daily dose of 2 grams of beta-sitosterol is beneficial in lowering LDL cholesterol. Prostate and other tissue edema may also be lessened with its assistance. It also has a role in treating problems like male pattern baldness, heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and several other health issues. 

It also has been related to cancer treatment from recent research which discovered that beta-sitosterol caused breast cancer cells to undergo apoptosis, in layman's terms, death of cancer cells. However these results were taken from test tube experimentation rather than actual human subjects. One thing to point out here is that, although Beta Siltrosterol shares a similar molecular structure with cholesterol but differs in one fundamental function. It cannot be turned into testosterone whereas cholesterol can. 

Recommended Beta Sitosterol Foods:

A well-balanced diet can ensure proper intake of this sterol along with other essential compounds needed by our bodies. First, you can find Beta-Sitosterol in nuts like walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, and sesame seeds. These nuts are in large quantities and should be included in daily diet. This plant sterol is also an active component of well-known cholesterol-lowering margarine spreads.

Foods that we already know are super healthy for us are also full of beta sitosterol. Some of these foods are margarines, orange juice, and cereals which are also recommended to be used for daily human consumption for many other reasons. Vegetables including Brussels sprouts, avocado, and cauliflower are also rich in them. It is also available as a dietary supplement. Other foods include wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, rice, peanuts, lentils, and peas. 

Wrapping up:

One of a class of chemical substances found in plants, beta-sitosterol lowers blood cholesterol levels both when taken alone and in conjunction with other plant sterols of a similar kind. This specific kind of sterol is present in nearly all plants and is one of the primary constituents of a class of plant sterols called phytosterols, which also share many structural similarities with cholesterol. Including the above-stated beta sitosterol foods can also benefit you in treating your prostate enlargement condition (if any), high cholesterol problems and other health conditions. Including greens in your diet will also promote beta-sitosterol in your body.