title: A comparison of the LDL-cholesterol lowering efficacy of plant stanols and plant sterols over a continuous dose range: results of a meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine if plant stanols and plant sterols differ with respect to their low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CH) lowering efficacies across a continuous dose range.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dose-response relationships were evaluated separately for plant stanols and plant sterols and reductions in LDL-CH, using a first-order elimination function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Altogether, 113 publications and 1 unpublished study report (representing 182 strata) complied with the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the assessment. The maximal LDL-CH reductions for plant stanols (16.4%) and plant stanol ester (17.1%) were significantly greater than the maximal LDL-CH reductions for plant sterols (8.3%) and plant sterol ester (8.4%). These findings persisted in several additional analyses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intakes of plant stanols in excess of the recommended 2g/day dose are associated with additional and dose-dependent reductions in LDL-CH, possibly resulting in further reductions in the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).
authors.affiliation: Cantox Health Sciences International, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. kmusa-veloso@cantox.com
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Musa-Veloso
authors.forename: Theresa H
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.forename: Julie Ann
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Elliot
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004951:Esterification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006865:Hydrogenation; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013261:Sterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D013261:Sterols