Cholesterol, High Cholesterol

Plant stanol esters, naturally occurring substance, are associated with a cholesterol-lowering effect of about 10% for total cholesterol and 15% for LDL cholesterol. In contrast, stanol ester margarine at 2-3 g/d stanols are associated with a reduction in total and LDL cholesterol of 15% and 20%, respectively. Stanol ester margarine can be a dietary treatment for those with high cholesterol levels. (102)

Plant sterols did not show a benefit to LDL cholesterol in all trials: Researchers studied oral plant sterol-esters at a dose of 3, 6, and 9 g/day plant sterol-esters, naturally occurring unsaturated fatty acids, in low-fat dressings and spreads in a 8-week parallel study of 84 individuals. No significant changes in LDL cholesterol were seen compared with controls. However, the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol was significantly lower among those consuming 9 g/day plant sterols compared to controls (-9.6% vs. 2.6%). Blood levels of fat-soluble vitamins remained normal during the entire study. The change in the level of triglycerides in the group taking 3 g plant sterols/day was significantly different when compared to the control group (median: -13.3% vs 7.8%). Overall plant sterol-esters were well tolerated. (103)