Phytosterols are plant steroids with a structure similar to cholesterol, and are widely distributed in the plant kingdom and specially found in vegetable oil, nuts, seeds and avocados. However, they are not synthesized by the human body and therefore their presence in the body is the result of their consumption as part of the diet.
Particularly, the β-Sitosterol is the most common dietary phytosterol.
Beta-sitosterol is useful for the reduction of serum total cholesterol and LDL levels. In fact, beta-sitosterol has been approved by the FDA (Food and drug Administration) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) for that indication. Research has shown also antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and gallstone-reducing activities