title: Use of plant stanol ester margarine among persons with and without cardiovascular disease: early phases of the adoption of a functional food in Finland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The plant stanol ester margarine Benecol is a functional food that has been shown to lower effectively serum total and LDL-cholesterol. The purpose of this post-marketing study is to characterize users of plant stanol ester margarine with and without cardiovascular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of plant stanol ester margarine users was established based on a compilation of 15 surveys conducted by the National Public Health Institute in Finland between 1996-2000. There were 29,772 subjects aged 35-84 years in the cohort. The users of plant stanol ester margarine were identified by the type of bread spread used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The plant stanol ester margarine was used as bread spread by 1332 (4.5%) subjects. Almost half (46%) of the users reported a history of cardiovascular disease. Persons with cardiovascular disease were more likely to use plant stanol ester margarine (8%) than persons without cardiovascular disease (3%). Users with and without cardiovascular disease seemed to share similar characteristics. In particular, they were elderly people with otherwise healthy life-styles and diet. They were less likely smokers, more likely physically active and less likely obese than nonusers. The users reported being in good or average health in general and having used cholesterol-lowering drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plant stanol ester margarine seems to be used by persons for whom it was designed and in a way it was meant: as part of efforts for cardiovascular disease risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Health Promotion, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. meri.simojoki@ktl.fi
authors.forename: Meri
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simojoki
authors.forename: Riitta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luoto
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uutela
authors.forename: Hannu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rita
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Boice
authors.forename: Joseph K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D012855:Sitosterols; C407042:plant stanol ester; D008383:Margarine