Phytosterol-deficient and high-phytosterol diets developed for controlled feeding studies.
Phytosterols reduce cholesterol absorption and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations, but the quantity and physiological significance of phytosterols in common diets are generally unknown because nutrient databases do not contain comprehensive phytosterol data. The primary aim of this study was to design prototype phytosterol-deficient and high-phytosterol diets for use in controlled feeding studies of the influence of phytosterols on health. A second aim was to quantify the phytosterol content of these prototype diets and three other diets consumed in the United States. This study was conducted from June 2001 to September 2008 and involved designing, preparing, and then analyzing five different diets: an experimental phytosterol-deficient control diet, a relatively high-phytosterol diet based on the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet, American Heart Association diet, Atkins lifetime maintenance plan, and a vegan diet. A single day of meals for each diet was homogenized and the resulting composites were analyzed for free, esterified, and glycosylated phytosterols by gas chromatography. Independent samples t tests were used to compare the diets' total phytosterol content. The total phytosterol content of the experimental phytosterol-deficient diet was 64 mg/2,000 kcal, with progressively larger quantities in Atkins, American Heart Association, vegan, and the high-phytosterol Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (163, 340, 445, and 500 mg/2,000 kcal, respectively). Glycosylated phytosterols, which are often excluded from phytosterol analyses, comprised 15.9%+/-5.9% of total phytosterols. In summary, phytosterol-deficient and high-phytosterol diets that conform to recommended macronutrient guidelines and are palatable can now be used in controlled feeding studies.
Racette
Susan B
SB
Department of Medicine and Program in Physical Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8502, 4444 Forest Park Ave, St Louis, MO 63108, USA. racettes@wustl.edu
Spearie
Catherine Anderson
CA
Phillips
Katherine M
KM
Lin
Xiaobo
X
Ma
Lina
L
Ostlund
Richard E
RE
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary / Q000378:metabolism / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D050528:Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D014676:Diet, Vegetarian; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005504:Food Analysis; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013649:Taste
D002791:Cholesterol, Dietary; D010840:Phytosterols