# Campesterol **Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/campesterol **Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia **Updated:** 2026-03-28 **Evidence Score:** 2 / 10 **Category:** Compound **Also Known As:** 24α-methylcholesterol, ergost-5-en-3β-ol, campestanol precursor, plant sterol campesterol, phytosterol campesterol, 24-methyl cholesterol ## Overview Campesterol is a naturally occurring phytosterol found in plant-based foods that structurally resembles cholesterol and competes with it for intestinal absorption via the NPC1L1 transporter. It also serves as a biosynthetic precursor to brassinosteroids in plants and has shown preliminary activity as a ligand for liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) in laboratory studies. ## Health Benefits • May inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption, though this is described generally without specific study details. • Functions as a brassinosteroid precursor in plants, which may have agronomic relevance. • Can test transcriptional activation of liver X receptor α (LXRα) in breast cancer cells, suggesting possible research interest in oncology. • Classified under chemical classes like endocrine disruptors and lipids, indicating potential metabolic interactions. • Low solubility characteristics, relevant for formulation strategies in supplements. ## Mechanism of Action Campesterol competes with dietary and biliary cholesterol for incorporation into mixed micelles in the small intestine, reducing uptake through the NPC1L1 transporter on enterocytes, which lowers circulating LDL-cholesterol levels. In vitro evidence suggests campesterol can activate liver X receptor alpha (LXRα), a nuclear receptor that regulates reverse cholesterol transport genes including ABCA1 and ABCG1. Additionally, campesterol is converted via cytochrome P450 enzymes in plant cells into brassinolide, the bioactive brassinosteroid hormone that governs plant cell elongation and division. ## Clinical Summary Most clinical evidence for campesterol comes from trials studying mixed phytosterol preparations rather than campesterol in isolation, limiting attribution of specific effects. Randomized controlled trials on plant sterol ester-enriched foods (2–3 g/day of total phytosterols including campesterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol) have demonstrated LDL reductions of approximately 8–12% in hypercholesterolemic adults. A 2003 meta-analysis of 41 trials found that 2 g/day of plant sterols reduced LDL by a mean of 10%, but campesterol's individual contribution within these blends is unquantified. Evidence for campesterol's LXRα activation and any anti-cancer relevance remains confined to in vitro cell-line studies with no supporting human trial data. ## Nutritional Profile Campesterol is a plant sterol (phytosterol) with a molecular weight of 400.68 g/mol and molecular formula C28H48O. It is not a macronutrient or micronutrient itself but rather a bioactive sterol compound found in plant-based foods. Typical dietary concentrations in food sources: vegetable oils (rapeseed/canola oil: ~50-100 mg/100g; corn oil: ~30-70 mg/100g; sunflower oil: ~10-30 mg/100g), nuts and seeds (~5-30 mg/100g), whole grains (~5-15 mg/100g), and fruits/vegetables (generally <5 mg/100g). Total daily dietary intake of campesterol in Western diets is estimated at approximately 50-100 mg/day, representing roughly 20-30% of total phytosterol intake, with beta-sitosterol being the dominant phytosterol. Structurally, campesterol differs from cholesterol by the addition of a methyl group at C-24, giving it slightly different membrane interaction properties. Bioavailability is notably low: intestinal absorption is estimated at 5-10% of intake, significantly lower than cholesterol absorption (~50%), due to active efflux by ABCG5/ABCG8 transporters in enterocytes. It is a lipophilic compound requiring dietary fat for micellar solubilization and absorption. No protein, carbohydrate, or fiber content is inherent to campesterol itself. Plasma concentrations in healthy individuals typically range from 2-8 µmol/L, used clinically as a biomarker of intestinal cholesterol absorption efficiency. It contains no vitamins or minerals. ## Dosage & Preparation No clinically studied dosage ranges or forms are available in the research results. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement. ## Safety & Drug Interactions Campesterol and other phytosterols are generally well tolerated at dietary and supplemental doses up to 3 g/day, with gastrointestinal discomfort being the most commonly reported side effect. High phytosterol intake may reduce circulating levels of fat-soluble vitamins, particularly beta-carotene and vitamin E, and supplementation with [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant)s may be advisable for long-term users. Individuals with sitosterolemia, a rare autosomal recessive lipid disorder caused by ABCG5/ABCG8 mutations, should avoid campesterol-enriched products as they accumulate phytosterols abnormally, leading to xanthomas and [cardiovascular risk](/ingredients/condition/heart-health). Safety data in pregnant and breastfeeding women is insufficient, and phytosterol supplements are typically not recommended during pregnancy without medical supervision. ## Scientific Research No specific human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses for campesterol alone are available. The research dossier does not provide PMIDs or detailed study data. ## Historical & Cultural Context No historical or traditional medicinal uses for campesterol are documented in the research dossier. ## Synergistic Combinations Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol, tocopherol, omega-3 fatty acids ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What foods are highest in campesterol? Campesterol is found in highest concentrations in vegetable oils such as rapeseed (canola) oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil, where it can constitute 20–30% of the total phytosterol content. Wheat germ, sesame seeds, and certain legumes are also notable dietary sources, typically providing campesterol in the range of 10–100 mg per 100 g of food. ### Does campesterol lower cholesterol? Campesterol, as part of mixed phytosterol supplements or fortified foods at doses of 2–3 g/day, is associated with LDL cholesterol reductions of roughly 8–12% in clinical trials involving hypercholesterolemic individuals. Its mechanism involves competition with cholesterol for micellar solubilization and NPC1L1-mediated intestinal uptake, effectively reducing the amount of cholesterol entering the bloodstream. However, isolated campesterol trials are lacking, so these figures derive from mixed-sterol interventions. ### Is campesterol safe to take as a supplement? For most healthy adults, campesterol-containing phytosterol supplements are considered safe at doses up to 3 g/day based on available clinical data. The main concerns are modest reductions in fat-soluble carotenoid absorption and contraindication in individuals with sitosterolemia, a genetic condition causing phytosterol accumulation. Regulatory bodies including the FDA and EFSA have approved phytosterol health claims at 2 g/day, reflecting a reasonable safety profile at that dose. ### What is the difference between campesterol and beta-sitosterol? Campesterol (C28 sterol) and beta-sitosterol (C29 sterol) are both plant-derived sterols that differ by a single methyl group on the side chain at carbon-24, giving campesterol one fewer carbon. Both compete with cholesterol at the intestinal NPC1L1 transporter, but beta-sitosterol is typically present in higher quantities in most plant foods and has a larger base of clinical research. Campesterol is also uniquely important as the primary biosynthetic precursor to brassinosteroids in plants, a role beta-sitosterol does not share to the same extent. ### Can campesterol affect cancer risk? In vitro studies have shown that campesterol can activate liver X receptor alpha (LXRα) in breast cancer cell lines, a nuclear receptor involved in cholesterol efflux and potentially in modulating cancer cell proliferation. However, these findings come exclusively from cell-culture experiments and have not been replicated in animal models or human clinical trials, so no conclusions about cancer prevention or treatment can be drawn. At this stage, any claimed anti-cancer benefit of campesterol is speculative and not supported by clinical evidence. ### How does campesterol absorption compare to other plant sterols? Campesterol is one of the major plant sterols and is absorbed similarly to other phytosterols like beta-sitosterol and brassicasterol, though absorption rates vary based on individual digestive health and dietary fat content. Studies suggest campesterol absorption efficiency ranges from 5-15% in most individuals, which is comparable to other plant sterols found in functional foods. The presence of other dietary components and cholesterol can competitively affect how much campesterol your body actually absorbs. ### Does campesterol have different effects in men versus women? Research indicates potential sex-specific responses to campesterol, particularly related to its interaction with estrogen-responsive pathways and its role as a brassinosteroid precursor in cellular signaling. Some studies have examined campesterol's effects on liver X receptor activation differently in male versus female cell models, suggesting hormonal context may influence its biological activity. However, human clinical trials directly comparing campesterol efficacy between sexes remain limited. ### Can campesterol levels in the body be tested or measured? Campesterol can be measured in blood serum through specialized lipid panels and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, though this testing is primarily used in research settings rather than routine clinical practice. Elevated serum campesterol levels may indicate either high dietary intake or potential absorption issues, as people with sitosterolemia (a rare genetic disorder) show abnormally high plant sterol accumulation. Standard cholesterol tests do not typically measure individual plant sterols like campesterol without specific request for advanced lipid profiling. --- *Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com* *License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*