Herbs & Supplements

3-beta,5-alpha-stigmastan-3-ol Scientific Name: Stanol Other Names: 24-alpha-ethylcholestanol, Beta-sitostanol, Dihydro-beta-sitosterol, Fucostanol, Phytostanol, Plant Stanol, Plant Stanol Esters, Stigmastanol Who is this for? Uses Stanol is taken to help prevent heart disease by lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, the "bad" types of cholesterol that contribute to heart disease. It does not have a negative effect on HDL cholesterol, the "good" type of cholesterol that helps to protect against heart disease. Stanol can be used by itself or in combination with a low-fat diet and/or cholesterol-lowering drugs such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, commonly called "statins". Some recent study results may show that long-term use of stanol can also help to maintain the flexibility of blood vessels. When should I be careful taking it? >>

Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.

In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.

This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.