Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that lowers blood cholesterol and eases urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate without shrinking it. Short-term effects are well established; long-term benefit for healthy aging is unproven. It raises blood plant-sterol levels — possibly harmful in susceptible people — and lowers absorption of protective plant pigments. Inexpensive and generally well tolerated. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | < 100 mg/dL (lower if high cardiovascular risk) | Primary target of the cholesterol-lowering effect |
| Total cholesterol | < 180–200 mg/dL | Tracks overall response to sterol intake |
| HDL cholesterol | > 50 mg/dL (women), > 40 mg/dL (men) | Ensures sterols are not worsening the overall lipid picture |
| Plasma sitosterol / campesterol | Low-normal; no established optimal cutoff | Detects high-absorber phenotype and sterol accumulation |
| PSA | < 4 ng/mL (age-adjusted) | Screens for prostate disease before attributing symptoms to benign enlargement |
Cadence: Lipids and prostate symptoms at 4–12 weeks after starting, then every 6–12 months; plasma sterols every 6–12 months on chronic high-dose use