Phytosterols show benefits as part of Western diet By Stephen Daniells, 15-Feb-2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 4:12PM "I have good news and bad news," the defense attorney tells his client. "First the bad news. The blood test came back, and your DNA is an exact match with that found at the crime scene."
"Oh, no!" cries the client. "What's the good news?"
"Your cholesterol is only 140."
Daily supplements of phytosterols were associated with a 20 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol levels in metabolic syndrome patients on a Westernized type diet, according to a recent study. In other words, the study subjects were not asked to modify their typical American diets but still experienced a reduction in their cholesterol levels by simply supplementing with plant sterols.
Past studies have reported that daily consumption of 1.5 to 3 grams of phytosterols/-stanols from plant foods can reduce total cholesterol levels by eight to 17 per cent, which may represent a significant reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Phytosterols or plant sterols are cholesterol like molecules found in plants, such as whole grains, fruits, legumes, and vegetables.
Phytosterols are minimally absorbed from the small intestine, so they do not enter the bloodstream. Additionally, phytosterols stop or slow absorption of dietary cholesterol and cholesterol made by the liver.
Learn more about this topic in the article Phytosterols show benefits as part of Western diet.
http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Phytosterols-show-benefits-as-part-of-Western-diet