Plant Stanol and Sterol Esters in the Control of Blood Cholesterol Levels: Mechanism and Safety Aspects

Incorporation of plant stanol esters into margarine is among the first examples of a functional food with proven low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering effectiveness. Recently, there have been many studies on the effects of plant stanols/sterols on cholesterol metabolism. It has been fou...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of cardiology 2005-07, Vol.96 (1), p.15-22
Main Authors: Plat, Jogchum, Mensink, Ronald P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cardiology. Vascular system
Cells
Chemical compounds
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, LDL - metabolism
Digestive system
Flowers & plants
Functional foods & nutraceuticals
Humans
Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy
Intestinal Absorption
Low density lipoprotein receptors
Medical sciences
Metabolism
Phytosterols - adverse effects
Phytosterols - pharmacology
Phytosterols - therapeutic use
Phytotherapy
Sitosterols - adverse effects
Sitosterols - pharmacology
Sitosterols - therapeutic use
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Summary:Incorporation of plant stanol esters into margarine is among the first examples of a functional food with proven low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol-lowering effectiveness. Recently, there have been many studies on the effects of plant stanols/sterols on cholesterol metabolism. It has been found that the serum LDL cholesterol-lowering effect of plant stanols/sterols originates from reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption, a process in which changes in micellar composition are thought to play a major role. However, recent findings suggest that there is an additional process in which plant stanols/sterols actively influence cellular cholesterol metabolism within intestinal enterocytes. Furthermore, in response to the reduced supply of exogenous cholesterol, receptor-mediated lipoprotein cholesterol uptake is probably enhanced, as shown by increased LDL receptor expression. At recommended intakes of about 2 to 2.5 g/day, products enriched with plant stanol/sterol esters lower plasma LDL cholesterol levels by 10% to 14% without any reported side effects. Thus, plant stanols/sterols can be considered to be effective and safe cholesterol-lowering functional food ingredients.
ISSN:0002-9149
1879-1913
DOI:10.1016/j.amjcard.2005.03.015