Baywood International Beta S, 90 Tabs

Maintains healthy cholesterol and supports a healthy prostate function

Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol similar in structure to cholesterol, found naturally in fruits, vegetables, beans (especially soy), nuts, and seeds. Phytosterols, (plant sterols) including beta-sitosterol, contain a complex of specific types of plant sterols known as sitosterolins, stigmasterol and campesterol.

How does it work?

Beta-sitosterol actually inhibits intestinal absorption of dietary cholesterol by competing for the limited space for cholesterol during intestinal uptake. It also affects an enzyme that results in the reduction of cholesterol rich lipoprotein, LDL. This can lower the LDL blood levels. Most of the early research focused on its use in lowering cholesterol in heart disease.

Recent research also supports its ability to improve the symptoms related to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and several studies have been published to support its use for this.

What does the citrus pectin do?

Citrus pectin is made of fiber found in the white rind of citrus fruits, which can also be used to lower cholesterol by a mechanism of blocking its dietary absorption. In addition, it was found to inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaque on the walls of blood vessels.

Explaining Cholesterol

Your blood cholesterol levels are affected not only by the saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet, but also by the cholesterol your body produces on its own, due to a myriad of biochemical influences. Cholesterol is actually a necessary component of cell membranes and is an essential building block for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids, which are important for the absorption and metabolism of fat.

Cholesterol is present in all parts of the body, including the brain, nervous system, muscles, skin, liver, intestines, heart, and skeleton. Cholesterol travels in the blood bound to protein carrier packages called lipoproteins. All lipoproteins are formed in the liver and carrycholesterol throughout the body. Blood cholesterol packaged in low density lipoproteins (LDL) carry most of the cholesterol in the blood, and if not removed from the blood properly, cholesterol can build up in arteries, contributing to atherosclerosis. This is why LDL cholesterol is often called "bad cholesterol".