Scientists first isolated sterols, plant fats - and their glucosides, sterolins, and other natural compounds found in fruits and vegetables, as far back as 1922. However, their remarkable health benefits were only realized and confirmed by extensive research in the last two decades.

Over 4000 published studies to date have examined phytosterols and 120 studies are double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials. These studies revealed that concentrations of sterols and sterolins offered extraordinary support to the immune system.

Sterols and sterolins are found abundantly in all plant materials and also in shellfish. Raw, unprocessed nuts and seeds and their oils are the richest source. Unfortunately, due to our standard methods of processing foods, the sterols and sterolins are destroyed. Freezing fruits and vegetables destroys the sterolins, and boiling vegetables causes the sterolins to be released into the cooking water.

Research suggests that it is the sterolins, not the sterols, which are the key to the anti-inflammatory, immune-balancing powers of phytosterols. And while a good diet can provide a person with a healthful portion of phytosterols, the sterolins are much harder to come by.

According to Lorna Vanderhaege, an expert in autoimmunity, sterols and sterolins are the preferred supplement of choice for autoimmune disorders. Here is what she has to say:

"Plant sterols and sterolins enhance the ability of T-cells to divide thereby increasing the number of T-cells in the immune system arsenal. They also promote the secretion of immune protective factors. These powerful plant fats do this without enhancing the action of inflammatory agents and the production of damaging antibodies.

By reducing the production of antibodies the immune system can get back into balance and stop destroying the body's own tissues. Inflammation is reduced and healing begins."

"Within thirty days those afflicted with autoimmune disorders see a significant decrease in their symptoms, especially a reduction in inflammation and pain. Most treatments until recently worked by suppressing the entire immune response leaving those afflicted open to infections and cancer.

Sterols and sterolins balance our immune system, providing protection against invaders while inhibiting the damaging effects of antibodies that are attacking body tissues and they do this without side effects or costing a lot, and they act within a very short period of time."
- Lorna Vanderhaege, Healthy Living Guide #132, Jan/Feb 1999

Various combinations of sterols and sterolins have been shown in clinical trials and anecdotal usage to provide nutritional support for joint and muscle-related conditions, pain-fatigue syndromes, neuromuscular conditions, hair and skin conditions, endocrine conditions, and almost all other immune dysfunctions.

There are two manufacturers of sterols/sterolins products, Moducare® and Natur-Leaf®. Both companies and their phytosterols products have an excellent reputation, and both have a number of clinical studies proving the effectiveness of their products.

Although we initially began this web site with Naturleaf Sterols and Sterolins, we have since chosen to use Moducare®, since Moducare® has the clinical research behind it. As well, the response rate from around the world has been fantastic, with no mention of side effects.

Moducare® is also more cost-effective, since you need to take only 3 capsules per day and there are 90 capsules in a bottle, compared to Naturleaf's suggesed use of 6 capsules per day with 60 capsules per bottle.

Moducare® is the only clinically tested plant sterol/sterolin product proven to be effective in immune modulation. Research, including placebo-controlled, double-blind studies, has been published in international medical journals.

Suggested Use: Take one capsule three times daily, or two upon rising and one before bed. For best results, take on an empty stomach.

Each capsule contains: Sterols (from pine) 20 mg and Sterolins (from pine) 0.2 mg. Other ingredients: Rice flour and magnesium silicate.

Caution: If you are pregnant, nursing, a diabetic, an organ transplant recipient or have multiple sclerosis, do not use unless on the advice of and under the direct supervision of a health care professional.

Lorna R. Vanderhaege, author of Healthy Immunity - Scientifically Proven Natural Treatments for Conditions from A-Z, is a huge advocate for Moducare.

She recommends it for all autoimmune diseases except Multiple Sclerosis.

Ankylosing Spondylitis

I have a combination of arthritis, sciatica and ankylosing spondylitis. For many years I've suffered with pains across my back and pelvic area, as well as radiating from my hips down my legs and in my knees. I have experienced great difficulty walking, to the point of having my posture be quite distorted. I've had to climb on my hands and knees to get up the stairs in my house.

After taking sterolins for two days, I felt as if a huge crane had lifted up my spine, and the pain in my back and pelvis disappeared. I no longer have the pain in my hips and down my legs. I can actually roll over in bed without having to hold on to the headboard or hold on to my legs to move them over to the other side.

I have told many people about sterols and sterolins. One of my friends, who has not been able to sleep at night because of her pains, has now had her first good three hours sleep. Thank you very much!

- CS, Ontario, Canada

Allergies

Sterolins have made an incredible difference in my severe cat allergy. Even the strongest antihistamines did nothing to reduce the severity of my attacks. After four months the cats now sleep on the bed and I have no symptoms at all. This is a miracle since I have suffered these allergies since childhood. My life has been changed forever.

- JB, British Columbia, Canada

Alopecia

After 10 - 14 days very fine stubble appeared on my scalp and eyebrows and my beard began to grow again. After 14 weeks it had reached about 1.5 cm in length. My fingernails have also vastly improved and I have not suffered any bouts since taking Moducare.

- AT, South Africa

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and also Irritable Bowel. I was diagnosed four years ago, but I have had it for about ten years. I have tried several medications and also several natural herbs. Nothing was giving me relief. I heard about using sterols and sterolins and started taking them in the spring of this year. After only a few days, maybe a week, I had a lot more energy and the pain was a LOT less. I had a great summer, I almost thought the Fibromyalgia was gone. The Irritable Bowel was better too.

Then in September I started to have more pain and was more fatigued again. I thought my body was becoming immune to the Moducare so I decided to go off of it for a month. Well let me tell you, that was the worst month I have had in a long time. After 25 days, I went back to the sterolins. Today I am feeling so much better again, I have more energy and the pain is minimal most days.

I also have Type 2 Diabetes and when I am on Moducare, I am able to reduce my medication by half. I want to thank you so much for Moducare, it has been a godsend for me.

- DK, Ontario, Canada

Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

Sterolins have totally turned my life around. I cannot express how I feel, all I can say is that after 11 months of being horribly sick with ulcerative colitis (also diagnosed as Crohn's disease by a second G.I. specialist) I feel almost 100% better! And I can eat just about everything that I used to habitually eat without triggering an onset of violent diarrhea lasting weeks on end - this after being told that I would have to follow a restrictive, severe diet for the rest of my life. With warmest thanks and appreciation,

- DG, Ontario, Canada

I am writing to thank you. I am a 43 year old woman who has had Crohn's disease for 28 years. I have been on so many assorted drugs with terrible side effects. Since I have been taking sterols and sterolins now for 3 months, my Crohn's has stabilized. I can feel comfortable going out on overnight trips now, where before my diarrhea and feeling down were my main concern. I also have not had an arthritis atack since being on Moducare.

- RM, Ottawa, Canada

Hashimoto's Disease

I have Hashimoto's Disease, an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland, complicated by arthritis in my hands and wrists, as well as some fibromyalgia-type pain in my forearm. Although the symptoms can come and go at random, when they come it is very debilitating. Sometimes I can't hold anything, drive properly, and so forth.

A while back, I read about sterols and sterolins and decided to give them a try. I did my own small experiment with it. I used Moducare for a month or so, and then went off it, then back on it for about a month and a half. The idea was to see if it would help and whether I could notice a difference. With Hashimoto's disease, even when you are taking replacement hormones you have good and bad days. During both the periods of time when I was taking sterolins, my good days increased, the hand pain went away, and the fibro-type arm pain disappeared. When I went off Moducare, the problems began to return.

I am pretty convinced that sterolins were instrumental in alleviating my symptoms. As I say, Hashimoto's can be a very wearing, tiring disease and I definitely felt improvements with Moducare. I use many natural products from time to time, and some work and some don't seem to.

- RS, Ontario, Canada

Graves' Disease

I have recently started taking sterols and sterolins with the hopes that it will help balance my immune system because I have Graves' Disease (diagnosed June 1999). The Graves has been managed fairly easily and I take a very low maintenance dose of Tapazole, but I would love to go into remission and not have to take any medication.

After 25 days on the sterolins, I noticed distinct but subtle feelings of well-being and pleasurable sensation in my body, and my joints and stomach felt better as well! I felt happy and light, something I can't remember feeling for at least 3 years. I wasn't aware that I was living with underlying low-level chronic discomfort until the Mooducare started to help me feel better (of course I am following other healthy lifestyle recommendations that are probably helping too). This gives me the optimism that the Graves' may go into remission!

- SK, Concord, Maryland

Lupus

In October of 1997 I was diagnosed with Lupus, my doctor wanted me to start taking steroids and anti-inflammatories. I did not want to go that route of treatment. With the help of friends I was put in touch with an M.D. that also practices natural medicine. I was having joint pain in my hands, they seemed to ache all the time, also pain in my hips that kept me awake at night. When I went to see him I also found out that I had a problem with yeast, Candida, and a wheat and gluten intolerance. I was put on large doses of acidophilus, and some other natural remedies. It seemed to help but I still had pain in my joints with considerable swelling. I started taking sterols and sterolins at the end of July and within 5 - 6 weeks my joints were aching less and less. I can now work in my garden without paying for it the next day. I hope next summer to be able to start playing golf again. Moducare® is a wonderful product. I just wish more doctors would start taking notice of products like it so that more people can benefit the way I have.

- LM, Ontario, Canada

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Just a short note to relate my positive experience with sterols and sterolins. I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for several years, which my specialist was treating with the drugs prednisone, methotrexate, naprosen and plaquinal. None of these cured my disease and all have many serious side effects. I started taking sterolins at the end of November 1998, then after a few days I cut my drug intake in half. At the end of December, I stopped taking all the drugs. since I have been taking Moducare I feel so much better.

- HW, Saskatchewan, Canada

Since taking sterols and sterolins, the inflammation of my finger joints has improved considerably. It might not be a cure, but it certainly stops the pain and seems to improve arthritic conditions in general. I can play golf again without the dreadful pain in my fingers and arms.

- KS, South Africa