title: Key points for maximum effectiveness and safety for cholesterol-lowering properties of plant sterols and use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome.
abstract: According to the American Diabetes Association and the Adult Treatment Panel III, the starting point for treating metabolic syndrome (MS) is a change of lifestyle. In addition, action on the main symptoms of MS by means of dietary supplements, can be helpful in view of the chronic course of the disease. The term 'phytosterols' refers to sterols and stanols composed of lipophilic triterpenes, a family that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and whose cholesterol-lowering properties have been amply demonstrated. In the light of the recent literature, the key points for maximum effectiveness and safety of sterols are the following. (A) Plant sterols should be taken with meals: clinical trials have shown that when plant sterols are consumed close to mealtimes, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol may decrease by 9.4%, while when they are taken between meals, the reduction is about 6%. (B) The optimal dosage is 2-2.5 g day(-1) in a single dose. More than 3 g day(-1) has not been found to have any additional beneficial effect and increases the risk of side effects. (C) The food matrix used to dissolve the phytosterols should contain a certain amount of fat. A milk-based matrix appears optimal from this point of view.
authors.affiliation: Human Nutrition Section, Health Sciences Department, University of Pavia, Azienda di Servizi alla Persona, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rondanelli
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Monteferrario
authors.forename: Milena Anna
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Faliva
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Neldo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Antoniello
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010840:Phytosterols
keywords: cholesterol; dietary supplement; metabolic syndrome; plant sterols