Plant stanol and sterol esters in prevention of cardiovascular diseases: a review.
Plant sterol and stanol esters have been introduced as an additional dietary means to lower serum total and LDL cholesterol concentration. In short-term studies they lower LDL cholesterol by 10%, and according to a meta-analysis by Malcolm Law the incidence of coronary heart disease is considered to be reduced by over 20% in long-term use of these products. Plant stanol and sterol esters are not identical sterols; they have different metabolic effects and their long-term efficacy seems to be different. The present review deals with the differences of the sterols and discusses what is known of their role in preventing the cardiovascular diseases.
Miettinen
T A
TA
Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland. tatu.a.miettinen@helsinki.fi
Gylling
H
H
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D010840:Phytosterols; D012855:Sitosterols; C407042:plant stanol ester; D002784:Cholesterol