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About Sitosterolemia

It is important to thoroughly understand any condition you are diagnosed with, and that mostly includes the science of it all. Hopefully, after this section, you can understand this condition better.

Foods that Sitosterolemia makes unhealthy:

  • Vegetable Oil

  • Corn Oil

  • Sesame Seeds

  • Peanuts

  • Soybeans

  • Sesame oil

  • Avocado

  • Chocolate

  • Shellfish

  • Eggs

  • Red meat (pork, beef, lamb, etc.)

  • Heavy cream

  • Whole milk

  • Buttermilk

  • Butter

  • Baked good

  • Fried foods

Sitosterolemia is a rare condition that causes "healthy" fats like lipids and LDL to build up in the arteries. Arteries allow blood to flow from your heart to all other organs and are essential for a healthy, functioning body. Most people who ingest plant sterols from foods then absorb and excrete them in the gut. Sitosterolemia doesn't allow this excretion which causes the build up. This condition occurs when there is a defection in either the ABCG5 or ABCG8 genes, which leads to a hyperabsorption of these lipids and sterols in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Sitosterolemia can present itself in different ways in the body. Some people with the condition are diagnosed very early in their life, and others don't discover it until later. There are two major symptoms seen widely across people with sitosterolemia: Elevated LDL and cholesterol levels, and xanthomas. Due to the build up of fats and cholesterol in the arteries, sitosterolemia can often primarily appear as traditional high cholesterol, however some patients report having levels two or three times the normal amounts. Xanthomas are small, yellowish deposits that appear under the skin as a result of the accumulation of lipids. They are often found above the eyes, on joins like knees, elbows, and on heel and buttocks areas. Sometimes, these xanthomas can be so large they hinder movement, yet other times they are unnoticeable unless one is looking for them specifically.

There has been no specific developed treatment for sitosterolemia, however there are ways to lower lipid levels in the body. Primarily, alterations to diet are essential. Although eliminating all foods that are connected to this condition isn't the answer, until one puts a plan in place with a lipidemiologist or primary care physician, tracking diet is a good start. Additionally, there is a daily pill called Zetia that can be prescribed by your doctor.

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