The effect of beta sitosterol on the serum lipids of young men with arteriosclerotic heart disease.

or gamma sitosterol) cause decreases in serum cholesterol. In this study, 15 young men with previous mvocardial infarction were given 12 to 18 Gm./day of beta sitosterol with resultant sustained reductions of serum cholesterol and beta lipoprotein lipid. Lipoprotein lipid fractionation was performed by paper electrophoresis. These changes occurred irrespective of initial serum cholesterol or content of diet. Control observations of the effects of diet, weight maintenance, and the inclusion of placebos brought about increased confidence that the changes were due to the administeredl sitosterol.