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Why You Should Supplement Beta-Sitosterol Beta-sitosterol, a plant chemical called phytosterol, is found in every vegetable we eat. While we consume some every day, we do not get enough in our diets. Research attaches many benefits to beta-sitosterol, including supporting prostate health and maintaining a healthy cholesterol level. Help for BPH and Other Prostate Problems Europeans have long used beta-sitosterol for prostate problems, and it is now growing popular among American men. Promising results from research are published regularly. A Lancet study found that men with BPH who were given beta-sitosterol daily for six months showed significant improvement in urinary difficulties. Those given a placebo reported no relief. A 1999 review of four clinical trials involving 519 men with mild to moderate BPH revealed that beta-sitosterol provided notable relief from urinary problems. It also increased urine flow and caused few side effects. Interestingly, benefits matched those commonly seen with prescription BPH drugs. Shows Promise for Cholesterol Support Research conducted during the past thirty years has also indicated that beta-sitosterol has positive effects on both cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Dietary supplementation has been shown to affect both the absorption of dietary cholesterol and the systemic levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, helping to normalize both. While many studies have been done, further research is needed before specific health benefits can be established.