Want to Cut Cholesterol? Consider Phytosterols
When it comes to plant sterols (commonly referred to as phytosterols) and health, their inclusion in foods such as margarine has been proven to improve cholesterol levels. Now, a study in the April 9, 2007, issue of Lipids in Health and Disease has found that regular use of phytosterol supplements is just as effective in reducing heart disease risk.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, sequential study, sixteen subjects took phytosterols in capsule form. Three weeks after taking the pill containing 1.3 grams of phytosterol esters, participants saw their LDL cholesterol drop by 7%. This could translate into a 5-10% reduction in cardiovascular risk over a lifetime, the study’s authors say. In addition, HDL cholesterol levels increased by 8% after three weeks, but this increase was no longer significant after four weeks. The participants were also on a controlled diet throughout the study, which included an initial four-week placebo phase, two-week washout, and the final four-week phytosterol intervention phase.
Numerous clinical trials have reported that daily consumption of 1.5 to 3 grams of phytosterols found in foods can reduce total cholesterol levels by 8-17%, representing a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether such benefits could be repeated if the delivery system was changed from food to capsules was not known.
The dose used in the study corresponded to the minimum amount of plant sterol esters the FDA requires to satisfy the health claim allowed on foods and dietary supplements containing these heart health ingredients.
“This study is the first study that confirmed regular use of plant sterol ester capsules is an effective strategy in improving lipid profiles,” wrote the authors. “However, to achieve better lipid lowering effects, higher dosages and incorporation of a cholesterol-lowering regimen are recommended.”
Source: Acuff, R.V., Cai, D.J., Dong, Z.-P. and Bell, D. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2007, 6:11.
