Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters Ingredients & Drug Interactions
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters is a dietary supplement by Protocol For Life Balance with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for high cholesterol, heart health support, lowering ldl cholesterol.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.
HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Low disclosure
This softgel contains three active plant sterol ingredients: beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol — compounds that occur naturally in plants and are often grouped together as plant sterols (or phytosterols). The product also includes soy lecithin as an inactive ingredient to help deliver the actives.
Plant sterols work by competing with dietary cholesterol for absorption in your gut, which may help keep your blood cholesterol levels in check. They're extracted and concentrated in supplements like this one to give you more of these compounds than you'd typically get from food alone.
Does it work?
Moderate evidence
Beta-sitosterol and campesterol — the two ingredients we hold evidence for — are rated as likely effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), and possibly effective for familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited high cholesterol) and coronary heart disease. The data on effectiveness for the third ingredient, stigmasterol, isn't on file with us.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Beta-sitosterol and campesterol are generally well tolerated when used short-term, though mild digestive side effects — constipation, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, or nausea — occur in some people. These ingredients may also reduce appetite or cause acne in some cases.
There's a single case report of acute pancreatitis that was thought to be linked to beta-sitosterol, though symptoms resolved when the person stopped taking it. There isn't enough safety data to know whether these plant sterols are safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, so it's best to avoid supplemental use in either case.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you're pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before starting.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we checked. Still, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before adding this to your routine — they can review your specific medications and health situation.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.
This product may be worth considering if you're interested in supporting cholesterol levels or prostate health — the evidence backs its use for those purposes. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or take any medications, clear it with your doctor or pharmacist first.
Mild digestive effects are common, but generally the product is well tolerated.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 2 of 3 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 21, 2012.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters, straight from the product label.
| Brand | Protocol For Life Balance |
|---|---|
| Barcode (UPC) | 707359130784 |
| Net contents | 90 Softgel(s) |
| Market status | On market |
| Date entered into DSLD | Nov 21, 2012 |
| DSLD ID | 15407 |
| Product type | Other Combinations |
| Supplement form | Softgel Capsule |
| Dietary claims / uses | Nutrient, All Other, Structure/Function |
| Intended target group(s) | Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free |
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Stigmasterol | 0 NP | -- |
| CardioAid-S Plant Sterol Esters | 1 g | -- |
| Beta-Sitosterol | 400 mg | -- |
| Campesterol | 0 NP | -- |
Other ingredients: Softgel Capsule, Soy Lecithin
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
SUGGESTED USAGE: As a dietary supplement, take 2 softgels twice daily with meals.
General Statements
Foods containing at least 0.65 grams per serving of plant sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total intake of at least 1.3 grams, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters with Fish Oil supplies 1 gram (1000 mg) of plant sterol esters in a base of fish oil.
For more information on this product go to www.protocolforlife.com/P3078
• Promotes Cardiovascular Health • Supports Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Formulated by doctors and clinical scientists exclusively for licensed healthcare practitioners.
Please Recycle.
HOW IT WORKS: CardioAid(R)-S Plant Sterol Esters is a unique dietary supplement ingredient with the ester forms of the plant sterols Beta-Sitosterol, Campesterol and Stigmasterol. Plant Sterols are plant-derived compounds that are structurally similar to cholesterol. They have been found to compete with cholesterol in the digestive tract, thereby limiting its absorption.
CAUTIONS/INTERACTIONS: Orally, Beta-Sitosterol is usually well tolerated. In some individuals, it can cause minor GI upset. Taking Beta-Sitosterol can exacerbate sitosterolemia, a rare inherited lipid storage disease.
Precautions
Plant Sterols may interact with Zetia (ezetimibe) and statin medications. If you are taking these or other prescription medications, or if you have other health conditions, consult your healthcare practitioner before using this product.
This bottle contains an AGElESS(R) oxygen absorbing packet to ensure freshness. Do not eat packet.
FDA Statement of Identity
A Dietary Supplement
Seals/Symbols
GMP
Formula
Contains fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel) and soy.
• With CardioAid(R)-S Plant Sterol Esters • Plus added Fish Oil
Brand IP Statement(s)
CardioAid(R) is a registered trademark of Archer-Daniels-Midland Company.
In this way, CardioAid(R)-S can help to maintain cholesterol levels already within the normal range.
Formulation
Not manufactured with yeast, wheat, gluten, milk, egg, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens.
Storage
Store in a cool, dry place after opening.
FDA Disclaimer Statement
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
General
CODE P3078 V1
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size2 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container45 Amounts shown are per serving.
CardioAid-S Plant Sterol Esters
No knowninteractions
Plant sterols (and their close relatives, plant stanols) are natural compounds found in plants that can modestly lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol when ta...
CardioAid-S Plant Sterol Esters monograph & interactions- › Stigmasterol
- › Beta-Sitosterol
- › Campesterol
Other (inactive) ingredients: Softgel Capsule, Soy Lecithin. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance Drug Interactions
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters, from the product label.
Protocol For Life Balance
See all Protocol For Life Balance products- Name
- Protocol For Life Balance
- Street Address
- 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd
- City
- Bloomingdale
- State
- IL
- ZipCode
- 60108
Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance: Common Questions
Does Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters by Protocol For Life Balance interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
What are plant sterols, and why are they in this supplement?
Can I take this if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
What side effects might I notice?
Does this product actually lower cholesterol?
Is this a softgel made from animal products?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Plant Sterols
Plant sterols (and their close relatives, plant stanols) are natural compounds found in plants that can modestly lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol when taken regularly in adequate amounts, usual...
Read the full Plant Sterols monograph → Herb & supplement monographBeta-sitosterol
Beta-sitosterol is a plant sterol that may modestly lower LDL ('bad') cholesterol and may help ease urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate. Evidence is moderate for these uses and weaker...
Read the full Beta-sitosterol monograph →Sources & How We Checked
Proto-Sitosterol Plant Sterol Esters's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 10 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Plant Sterols 3 references
- Guardamagna, O., Abello, F., Baracco, V., Federici, G., Bertucci, P., Mozzi, A., Mannucci, L., Gnasso, A., and Cortese, C. Primary hyperlipidemias in children: effect of plant sterol supplementation on plasma lipids and markers of cholesterol synthesis a
- Haque Hussain SS, Weir J, Roberts N. Severe dermatitis secondary to plant sterol supplements. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 Oct;34(7):e276-7. PubMed
- Xue P, Wang Y, Chen Y, et al. A Case of Peripheral Precocious Puberty May Be Caused by a Diet Containing Phytosterols in a 20-Month-Old Boy. Horm Res Paediatr 2022;95(5):484-491. PubMed
Beta-sitosterol 7 references
- Berges RR, Windeler J, Trampisch HJ, et al. Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group. Lancet 1995;345:1529-32.
- Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B. A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Br J Urol 1997;80:427-32.
- Wilt TJ, MacDonald R, Ishani A. beta-sitosterol for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review. BJU Int 1999;83:976-83. PubMed
- Oster P, Schlierf G, Heuck CC, et al. [Sitosterol in familial hyperlipoproteinemia type II. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over study]. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1976;101:1308-11.
- Becker M, Staab D, Von Bergman K. Long-term treatment of severe familial hypercholesterolemia in children: effect of sitosterol and bezafibrate. Pediatrics 1992;89:138-42. DOI
- Prager N, Bickett K, French N, Marcovici G. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of botanically derived inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. J Altern Complement Med 2002
- Lorenze A, Hsueh W, Nasr J. Beta-sitosterol-induced acute pancreatitis: A case report and review of the literature. Cureus. 2020;12(3):e7407. PubMed
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC