What Is Campesterol & What Foods Can I Find It In?

3D-model of Campesterol (src)

Campesterol is a member of the class of phytosterols, belonging to the sterols. It has a chemical structure that is similar to cholesterol.

The campesterol molecules are believed to compete with cholesterol, and therefore might be able to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the human intestine.

Table of Contents

Campesterol Is A Sterol

Campesterol, a plant sterol found in nature.

Plant sterols are known to have cholesterol-lowering and anticarcinogenic effects.(source )

Campesterol is a precursor to ergosterol, a major component of fungal cell walls. Ergosterol is a biological precursor to vitamin D2.

Benefits Of Campesterol

Campesterol seems to be beneficial for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

It is also believed that campesterol supplementation can increase the cholesterol efflux capacity of macrophages and promote the reverse cholesterol transport in high fat diets.

It is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme fatty acid synthase and has been shown to be useful for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

It might also be anti-inflammatory, and poses anti-aging effects.

You can find other benefits and side-effects in Campesterol: 2 Research-Backed Benefits & One Side-Effect .

Supplementation Of Campesterol

Excessive consumption or supplementation with plant sterols are associated with reductions in beta-carotene and lycopene levels, and it might have a harmful effect on your vitamin E levels. (source )

Foods You Can Find Campesterol In

You find campesterol mostly in fats and oils, snacks, and nuts and seed products.

Flaxseeds in a bowl
You can find campesterol in flaxseeds

Examples of food sources include

Foods in our nutrition tool

You can find regularly updated top ranked lists of foods for over 200+ nutrients in our nutrition tool.

If you are interested in what foods contain the most campesterol we recommend you visit our tool.

Here's our top ranked list of foods that contain Campesterol.

Sara Niemelä

co-founder Care Omnia, Head Content Creator

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Nutrition is my passion. I've spent thousands upon thousands of hours reading, analyzing, categorizing and comparing research studies.

I’m a wife and a mother of three. I enjoy the outdoors, cooking, and spending time with my family.