Health Matters

One type of phytonutrient is phyosterol, which exists in a lot of
vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, cereals and legumes, and occurs
throughout the plant kingdom. B-sitosterol, campesterol, and
stigmasterol are the most typical phytosterols, and are known
to be relatives of cholesterol that improve ones health. The
differences between the chemical structure of cholesterol and
that of phytosterols are very minute, but they are what
determine the different impacts these phytosterols make.

Similar in form and function to cholesterol in animals and
humans, phytosterols function to regulate the fluidity of cell
membranes in plants. Phytosterols have received a great deal
of attention from researchers seeking safer means of helping
people maintain healthy blood cholesterol concentrations,
healthy cardiovascular systems and healthy hearts. It appears
that phytosterols interfere with the intestinal recycling of the
cholesterol produced by the liver, effectively reducing the
availability of cholesterol to the body and may also inhibit a
percentage of dietary cholesterol absorption. This is likely
due to the structural similarity of these compounds with
cholesterol. The most effective way of dosing plant sterols
seems to be with or near a meal. While some research shows
that plant sterols can be effective regardless of when they are
taken, other research suggests that taking phytosterols in
divided doses increases their beneficial effect.

Practically all research that has been conducted on phytosterols
constantly reveal the connections between phytosterol
consumption, when present in foods or dietary supplements,
and the support of healthy cardiovascular systems, healthy
hearts and healthy blood cholesterol concentrations.
U.S. FDA: “Phytosterols Lower LDL-Cholesterol”
Following an elaborate review of “the totality of publicly
available scientific evidence,” the US Food and Drug
Administration have derived a few main points. The first
being that “there is significant scientific agreement to
support a relationship between consumption of plant
sterol esters – especially ? -sitoserol, campesterol, and
stigmasterol – and reduction in the risk of developing
heart disease. The second is that “plant sterol esters
reduce blood total and/or LDL (the “bad” cholesterol)
levels to a significant degree.” The third is that blood
HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels are not decreased
by the consumption of plant. Finally, the fourth is that
the benefits can be obtained by individuals with either
elevated blood cholesterol levels or normal healthy
blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the blood
cholesterol-lowering response takes place regardless
of what is consumed the rest of the diet.
New Scientific Research: “Phytosterols Lower
LDL-Cholesterol”

New research findings have mentioned the conclusions
reached by the US Food and Drug Administration, and
have been published since the government’s decisions.
One such example is a study published in the Journal of
Nutrition, showing that the cardiovascular health of men
and women with blood LDL cholesterol concentrations
within the “normal” range (blood LDL cholesterol
concentration less than 100 mg/dL) received additional
support after phytosterols were added to their daily diets,
regardless of the nature of their diets. In a study of men and
women with initially elevated blood cholesterol
concentrations, similar results and benefits were experienced.
Studies persistently have shown that phytosterols that are
taken in amounts of 2 to 3 grams per day are able to lower
LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels by
approximately 10 percent. Furthermore, besides their
beneficial effects on blood lipid levels, phytoserols can also
normalize the inflammatory response of the immune system.

Earlier this year (2009), a comprehensive meta-analysis
study was published; this study analyzed the results of 84
clinical trials that used phytosterols. After rigorous analysis,
it was concluded that phytosterols have the ability to lower
LDL cholesterol levels. This drop in cholesterol levels was
found to be dependent on dosage size. Additionally, the
authors of this meta-analysis concluded that about 2 grams
of phytosterols taken on a daily basis reduced LDL
cholesterol levels by about ten percent.

There are many nuts, seeds and oils that are classified as
phytosterols that can be added to any diet. These substances
are extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sesame oil,
roasted or raw peanuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, flax
seed, cashews, almonds, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds
and walnuts. Phytosterols can also be added to the diet as a
high-quality dietary supplement.

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