title: Dietary plant sterols and cholesterol metabolism.
abstract: Plant sterols, naturally occurring in foods of plant origin, reduce cholesterol absorption. Experimental studies show plant sterols to be an important part of the serum-cholesterol lowering effect of certain diets and dietary components. Epidemiological data show that individuals with higher intakes of plant sterols from their habitual diets have lower serum-cholesterol levels. To date, the role of naturally occurring plant sterols for lowering serum cholesterol has probably been underestimated. The consumption of dietary plant sterols should be a part of dietary advice to patients with hypercholesterolemia and the general public for the prevention and management of coronary heart disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nutrition, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Box 459, SE-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden Lasse.Ellegard@nutrition.gu.se
authors.forename: Lars H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Ellegård
authors.forename: Susan W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: A Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Normén
authors.forename: Henrik A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Andersson
mesh_terms: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D004032:Diet; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D010840:Phytosterols; D002784:Cholesterol