Campesterol
Overview[edit | edit source]
Campesterol is a phytosterol with a chemical structure similar to that of cholesterol. It is one of the most common plant sterols found in nature and is present in a variety of vegetable oils, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Campesterol is known for its potential health benefits, particularly in the context of cholesterol management and cardiovascular health.
Chemical Structure[edit | edit source]
Campesterol is a sterol with the molecular formula C28H48O. It is structurally similar to cholesterol, differing only by the presence of a methyl group at the C24 position. This slight difference in structure allows campesterol to integrate into cell membranes, influencing their fluidity and function.
Sources[edit | edit source]
Campesterol is found in a wide range of plant-based foods. Some of the richest sources include:
- Vegetable oils such as canola oil, corn oil, and sunflower oil.
- Nuts and seeds, including almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds.
- Fruits like avocados and bananas.
- Vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, and spinach.
Biological Role[edit | edit source]
In plants, campesterol plays a crucial role in maintaining cell membrane structure and function. It is involved in the regulation of membrane fluidity and permeability, which is essential for plant growth and development.
Health Benefits[edit | edit source]
Campesterol is known for its potential to lower LDL cholesterol levels in humans. It competes with cholesterol for absorption in the intestine, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream. This property makes campesterol a valuable component in the management of hypercholesterolemia and the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Metabolism[edit | edit source]
Once ingested, campesterol is absorbed in the intestine and transported to the liver. It is then incorporated into lipoproteins and distributed throughout the body. Unlike cholesterol, campesterol is not synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from dietary sources.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
