Biologically Active Substance
phytosterol Audio
[ fahy-tos-tuh-rawl, -rol ]
Brand Names:
Animi-3; Animi-3 with Vitamin D
Definitions related to phytosterols:
  • A class of dietary sterols present in plants with chemical structures nearly identical to cholesterol.
    CRCH Nutrition Terminology
    Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, 2021
  • A plant-based compound that can compete with dietary cholesterol to be absorbed by the intestines, resulting in lower blood cholesterol levels. Phytosterols may have some effect in cancer prevention. Also called plant sterol.
    NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • Any sterol found in the plant kingdom.
    NCI
    U.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
  • A class of organic compounds known as sterols or STEROIDS derived from plants.
    NLM Medical Subject Headings
    U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2025
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