In March 2019 researchers from Iran, Serbia and China published their review of the medical scientific literature to assess the effect of phytosterols and phytostanol supplementation on body weight, BMI, waist circumference and body fat. A total of 79 studies were included in the review. Results showed that phytosterols and phytostanol supplementation appeared to significantly reduce BMI. However, the supplementation did not appear to have any significant effect on body weight, waist circumference or body fat.
Ghaedi E et al. Possible anti-obesity effects of phytosterols and phytostanols supplementation in humans: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytother Res. 2019 Mar 5. [Epub ahead of print]