Sterols exist in nature in both free and bound forms. Common phytosterols include sitosterol, stigmasterol, brassicosterol, ergosterol, etc. In addition, there is another form, phytosterol ester, which is formed after the esterification reaction of phytosterols and fatty acids. The fat solubility of plant sterol esters is relatively better, which greatly improves the absorption and utilization rate of sterols.
The European Food Safety Authority recommends a daily intake of 1.5-3g of sterols, which can reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the human body by 7%-11.3%.
Phytosterol esters
Researchers have physically and chemically modified phytosterols.
Physical modifications include micro- and self-emulsification, microencapsulation, biopolymer-based, surfactant-based and lipid-based nanocarriers, etc.
Chemical modifications include esterification, ethoxylation and polyethylene glycol (PEG) modification to improve the fat solubility and water solubility of phytosterols.
Phytosterols for skin
Phytosterol, as a natural oil, can be used as a high-quality skin care raw material due to its good feeling of use. It has the characteristics of good ductility, good permeability, smoothness and non-stickiness, good durability and not easy to deteriorate, and is often used in facial creams.
As the main ingredient of the formula, β-sitosterol has an auxiliary effect in the treatment of erythema, burns, chilblains and chapped.
Some scholars evaluated the effect of nicotinamide (NA) and soy phytosterols on skin barrier recovery after topical application, and proved that the skin barrier integrity can be restored by 90% after one week using a formula containing two active substances (NA and FITO). above. Possibly due to the synergistic effect of nicotinamide and soy phytosterols, the recovery rate of skin barrier function is increased.
Accelerate barrier recovery by regulating endogenous factors in the epidermis. Phytosterols not only have a good moisturizing effect on the skin, promote skin metabolism, inhibit skin inflammation, but also have the effect of repairing erythema caused by sun exposure.
Beta sitosterol for prostate
BS is used to relieve symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).
Pine tree phytosterols are rich in β-sitosterol, which is a natural 5α-reductase inhibitor that can reduce the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, control testosterone and dihydrotestosterone in the human body within the normal range, thereby preventing prostate hyperplasia and androgen. Hormonal alopecia. Moreover, pinesterol is a new food approved by the Ministry of Health, has no side effects, and is safe and reliable.
A 2000 Cochrane review evaluated the effects of beta-sitosterol on benign prostatic hyperplasia, and there was evidence that beta-sitosterol did improve BPH, with beta-sitosterol helping to reduce swelling and inflammation.
The American Urological Association reports that more than 50 percent of men will have BPH by age 60. In addition to increasing your phytosterol intake, other supplements that may benefit prostate problems include saw palmetto and lycopene.
Which is better saw palmetto or beta sitosterol?
Saw palmetto extract is extracted from the fruit of the saw palmetto plant and has long been used to treat BPH symptoms such as urinary problems and frequent urination. Some research suggests that saw palmetto may help alleviate symptoms linked with BPH.
Beta-sitosterol is available as a dietary supplement and is sometimes used to relieve symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Like saw palmetto, beta-sitosterol has been studied for its potential benefits in treating symptoms of enlarged prostate, with some studies suggesting it may help improve urinary flow and reduce urinary frequency.
Reference
[1].Alessia Offerta, Francesco Bonina, Franco Gasparri,et al. In vitroPercutaneous Absorption of Niacinamide and Phytosterols and in vivo Evaluationof their Effect on Skin Barrier Recovery[J]. Current Drug Delivery, 2016, 13(1):111-120.
[2].Yang Li et al, Qualitative and quantitative analysis of β-sitosterol marker in virgin camellia oil and virgin olive oil, Food Quality and Safety (2023). DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad034
