Alone and in combination with similar phytosterols, beta-sterol reduces blood levels of cholesterol, and is sometimes used in treating hypercholesterolemia. Beta-sterol inhibits cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Because the structure of beta-sterol is very similar to that of cholesterol, beta-sterol takes the place of dietary and biliary cholesterol in micelles produced in the intestinal lumen. This causes less cholesteol absouption in the body.