Ergostanol

PhytochemicalSterolBest with a meal

What is it

Ergostanol is a saturated sterol related to ergosterol, found in some fungi and yeasts. It is a minor component of fungal sterols and has been used as a chemical marker in studies of soil and fungal biology.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

LDL cholesterol lowering (extrapolated from other plant stanols)

Mixed Evidence

Plant stanols as a class have strong evidence for LDL reduction. Specific clinical evidence for isolated ergostanol is essentially absent.

How it works

Like other phytosterols, ergostanol may modestly inhibit cholesterol absorption when consumed in adequate amounts. Plant sterol and stanol research has focused mainly on beta-sitosterol and beta-sitostanol, where there is strong clinical evidence for LDL cholesterol lowering. Ergostanol is not as widely studied or used as the major plant stanols. Most supplement applications are theoretical.

Dosage

There is no established supplement dose. Plant stanols (sitostanol) used for cholesterol lowering are typically dosed at 1.5-3 g/day.

When and how to take it

Plant stanols are most effective when taken with meals containing fat.

1 commercial form

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Ergostanol (minor sterol)

Rarely used as a standalone supplement.

Minimally absorbed; acts in gut

Safety

As a minor sterol component, ergostanol has limited direct safety data. Plant stanols in general are considered safe at typical food-additive doses.

Who should be cautious

Generally safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding at food-additive levels. People with rare sitosterolemia should avoid plant sterol/stanol supplementation.

Interactions

Plant stanols can modestly reduce fat-soluble vitamin (carotenoid) absorption.

Food sources

Some mushrooms and yeasts

Amount
trace
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Is ergostanol the same as ergosterol?⌄

No. Ergostanol is the saturated version of ergosterol, with no double bonds in the sterol ring. They have different properties.

Does it lower cholesterol?⌄

Plant stanols as a class lower cholesterol. Specific evidence for ergostanol alone is essentially absent.

References

Ergostanol on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Ergostanol (ChEBI:172988) — ChEBI link

Ergostanol (PubChem CID 5283641) — PubChem link

Ergostanol on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Ergostanol (PubMed search) — PubMed link

Track Ergostanol with Pilora

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.