24α-methyl Cholesterol is a phytosterol found in vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds that competitively inhibits the absorption of intestinal cholesterol and decreases the transcription of genes important for cholesterol metabolism.
1 The cholesterol lowering effects of phytosterols, such as 24α-methyl cholesterol, have been reported to be beneficial for lowering the incidence of atherosclerotic plaques.
2 24α-methyl Cholesterol can also act as an agonist at liver X receptors (LXR) and, through activation of LXR signaling, has been shown to suppress the proliferation of prostate and breast cancer cells.
3