The food matrix and sterol characteristics affect the plasma cholesterol lowering of phytosterol/phytostanol.
Foods with added phytosterols/phytostanols (PS) are recommended to lower LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) concentrations. Manufacturers have incorporated PS into a variety of common foods. Understanding the cholesterol-lowering impact of the food matrix and the PS characteristics would maximize their success and increase the benefit to consumers. This review systematically examines whether the PS characteristics and the fatty acid composition of foods with added PS affects serum LDL-c. A total of 33 studies published between the years 1998 and 2011 inclusive of 66 individual primary variables (strata) were evaluated. The functional food matrices included margarine, mayonnaise, yogurt, milk, cheese, meat, grain, juice, and chocolate. Consistently, ≥10% reductions in LDL-c were reported when the characteristics of the food matrix included poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids known to lower LDL-c. Also, >10% mean reductions in LDL-c were reported when β-sitostanol and campestanol as well as stanol esters were used. These characteristics allow both low-fat and high-fat foods to successfully incorporate PS and significantly lower LDL-c.
Departments of Kinesiology and.
Laura Kells
LK
Cusack
Maria Luz
ML
Fernandez
Jeff S
JS
Volek
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055951:Functional Food; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012855:Sitosterols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D010840:Phytosterols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012855:Sitosterols; C003535:campestanol; C021255:stigmastanol