Low-fat formulations of plant stanols and sterols.
Clinical trials have shown that an intake of 2 to 3 g/day of esterified plant stanol--when incorporated in margarines or spreads--significantly reduces serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations without affecting serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triglyceride levels. There is also a growing interest in incorporating cholesterol-lowering ingredients into low-fat foods. Esterification of stanols with long-chain fatty acids increases fat solubility by 10-fold and enables the incorporation of plant stanols into different food products, even low-fat foods. It provides a means of introducing an adequate daily amount of stanol for optimal reduction of cholesterol absorption, while maintaining a high-quality food product. Recent clinical trials show that esterified plant stanols effectively reduce serum total and LDL cholesterol levels, even when used in food vehicles with a low-fat content.
Raisio Research & Development, Raisio, Finland. pia.salo@raisiogroup.com
Pia
P
Salo
Ingmar
I
Wester
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; C407042:plant stanol ester