Phytosterol Complex

Patient One Phytosterol Complex supplies plant sterols to promote healthy heart and prostate function. Beta-sitosterol, the most abundant plant sterols, also contains Campesterol and Stigmasterol for additional health benefits. 

Phytosterols are sterol molecules, structurally similar to cholesterol, which are synthesized by plants and are naturally found in grains, nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetable oils. Typical Western diets provide a low amount of phytosterols--only about 100-200 mg per day (based on beta sitosterol content), in sharp contrast to vegetarian and Japanese diets that contain 345 and 400 mg/day, respectively. Further, natural phytosterols are often removed from vegetable oils during processing, pointing toward supplementation as an effective way to receive these healthy molecules.

Studied for more than 50 years, clinical trials suggest that phytosterols provide statistically significant support for healthy lipid metabolism. When plant sterols travel through the digestive tract, they get in the way of dietary cholesterol (from food such as meat and eggs) being absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, less total cholesterol is absorbed by the body when plant sterols are present. Plant sterols are believed to block absorption of cholesterol in the intestines while promoting healthy production of bile, offering dual-action support for balanced cholesterol levels. Phytosterols support liver receptor function and maintain healthy enzyme activity.

Beta-sitosterol also promotes healthy prostate function. Research suggests phytosterols naturally bind to prostate tissues, where they exert inflammation-modulating activity and influence cell signaling to help promote normal cell growth in the prostate. Phytosterols have been proposed to modulate testosterone; high intakes may also inhibit 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Clinical trials also demonstrate the role of phytosterols in healthy urinary function. In a 6-month randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study with 200 male subjects, it was shown that a mixed phytosterol complex providing beta-sitosterol supported healthy urinary flow. This was also supported in additional studies.