Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

roster · Post by **roster** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:13 pm

I noticed that Promise is heavily promoting a yogurt drink with 2g of plant sterols. They claim one daily will help reduce your cholesterol.

Smart Balance mayonnaisse with omega 3 has a new version out, Omega 3 Plus plant sterols.

Is this just a marketing fad or will plant sterol supplements significantly help improve high cholesterol levels?

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:44 pm

I think it is called free-market capitalism, snake oil, corporate profits, and all that good stuff

Really though, I think the best way to keep cholesterol in check is to just eat lots of vegetables, some whole grains, occasional fruits, nuts, and moderate amounts of lean meats.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:33 pm

my understanding of these is they only block the cholesterol you get from foods, the liver produces the rest, they basically line the intestine so not as much cholesterol gets absorbed from food.

Didn't Cod liver oil do the same thing, or was that snake oil?

ractar28 · Post by **ractar28** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:56 am

My wife has me on that stuff. It doesn't taste bad, but since I'm taking Crestor anywya, who knows if it's making any difference. I hope it has the live cultures though for general stomach happiness.

roster · Post by **roster** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:56 am

A couple of good references:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2000/000418.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol/CL00002

Foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols

Foods are now available that have been fortified with sterols or stanols — substances found in plants that help block the absorption of cholesterol.

Margarines, orange juice and yogurt drinks fortified with plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent. The amount of daily plant sterols needed for results is at least 2 grams — which equals about two 8-ounce (237 milliliters) servings of plant sterol-fortified orange juice a day.

Plant sterols or stanols in fortified foods don't appear to affect levels of triglycerides or of "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Nor do they interfere with the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins — vitamins A, D, E and K.

The American Heart Association recommends foods fortified with plant sterols for people with levels of LDL cholesterol over 160 milligrams per deciliter (4.1 mmol/L).

Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

Re: Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

Re: Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

Re: Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol

Re: Plant Sterols for Controlling Cholesterol