What Are the Health Benefits of Campesterols?

Campesterols are types of phytochemicals, or plant compounds, that have a variety of medicinal benefits. Campesterols chemically resemble cholesterol and are found in many commonly eaten plant-based foods, such as bananas, peppers and potatoes. Due to structural similarity, campesterols seem to be able to prevent the absorption of “bad” LDL cholesterol and balance blood cholesterol levels. Campesterols also display anti-inflammatory properties, which may make them beneficial for arthritis and cardiovascular diseases, among other health conditions. Consult with your doctor before supplementing with campesterols.

Campesterols

Campesterols are phytosterols, a type of plant compound present in many fruits and vegetables, but usually in very small amounts. Campesterols were first isolated from rapeseed, or Brassica campestris. They were later found to inhibit several pro-inflammatory compounds involved in arthritis and some matrix degradation compounds involved in the destruction of cartilage, according to the “PDR for Herbal Medicines.” As such, campesterols are now available as dietary supplements, and they are marketed as being able to help combat arthritis, cardiovascular diseases and prostate enlargement.

Anti-Inflammatory Uses

Campesterols are most commonly used for prostate growth and inflammation, also called benign prostate hyperplasia. Campesterols are important constituents of saw palmetto berry extract, which is an effective natural treatment for benign prostate growth, according to “Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine.” Campesterols are also marketed to people with osteoarthritis, which is characterized by cartilage destruction, mild inflammation and joint pain. Other inflammatory conditions that may be appropriate for campesterol use include fibromyalgia, sinusitis and allergies, although scientific research has yet to validate such claims.

Cholesterol Control

In addition to anti-inflammatory properties, campesterol was also discovered to have an affinity for LDL cholesterol and to be able to reduce its serum levels by up to 10 percent, according to the “Natural Standard Herb & Supplement Reference: Evidence-Based Clinical Reviews.” Consequently, campesterol and other plant sterols may have some value in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure and stroke. However, plant sterols affect people differently, and more research is needed before specific recommendations can be made regarding beneficial dietary or supplemental dosages.

Good Sources

Many vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds contain some campesterol, but usually in low concentrations. The foods that are considered good sources of campesterols include bananas, pomegranates, saw palmetto berries, grapefruit, cucumbers, peppers, onions, potatoes, oats, lemon grass, canola oil, corn oil and coffee beans, according to the “Encyclopedia of Human Nutrition.” As with most nutrients, campersterol levels depend on where food is grown and what the soil quality is. Geneticists are researching how to increase the campesterol content of some plants. Most supplemental forms are currently made from saw palmetto berries.