The Many Benefits of Beta-Sitosterol

What do flaxseeds, soybeans, peanuts, rice bran, wheat germ and corn oil all have in common? Beta-Sitosterol, a phytochemical which has been shown to be effective in increasing the rate of urinary flow and reducing residual urinary volume in patients with enlarged prostates. But there are many more suspected benefits including reduction of free radicals and DNA damage, reduction of blood cholesterol levels and the risk of atherosclerosis. Beta-Sitosterol is also believed to help fight cancer particularly prostate, breast and colon cancer. That's a good return on consumption of foods rich in this valuable phytophenol.

References:

1. The website Phytochemicals; http://www.phytochemicals.info/phytochemicals/beta-sitosterol.php

2. The website Drugs.com
http://www.drugs.com/npp/beta-sitosterol.html

Drugs for the Prostate

Enlarged prostates can be treated with drugs known as alpha blockers. Alpha I blockers enable the relaxation of muscles in the vicinity of the prostate and around the bladder neck. Smooth muscle receptors are targeted and the effect is to facilitate urination. There are some side effects and they can include dizziness, headache, runny nose and low blood pressure. The blood pressure effect merits special attention.

Another type of drug is known as enzyme (5-alpha-reductase) inhibitors. This type of medication lessens the amount of testosterone which is transformed to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Older men tend to have higher levels of DHT in the prostate and this can lead to cellular growth and the condition described as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) which most people know by the phrase prostate enlargement.


Reference:

Prescription for Drug Alternatives; Authors: James F. Balch, M.D., Mark Stengler, N.D., and Robin Young Balch, N.D.; Chapter 25, Pages 343-345; Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; Copyright 2008. (615.535- Lib#).