title: Fat type in phytosterol products influence their cholesterol-lowering potential: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.
abstract: The most common form of phytosterol (PS) fortified foods are fat spreads and dairy products. The predominant fats used are soybean/sunflower (SS) or rapeseed/canola (RC) oils and animal fat (D) in dairy products. This review aimed to investigate whether the carrier fat is a determinant of the hypocholesterolaemic effects of PS fortified foods. Databases were searched using relevant keywords and published RCTs from 1990 investigating the effects of dietary PS intervention (≥1.5g per day) on total cholesterol and LDL-C were included. After methodological quality assessment and data extraction, a total of 32 RCTs (RC, n=15; SS, n=9; D, n=8) were included. As expected, all fat groups significantly reduced TC and LDL-C (p<0.01). When compared across different carrier fats, RC as the main carrier fat, reduced LDL-C significantly more than the SS spreads (p=0.01). Therefore, a combination of monounsaturated fatty acid rich spread with adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids (as evident in RC spreads) may be the superior carrier fat for the delivery of PS for optimal blood cholesterol-lowering. The findings of this research provide useful evidence for optimising the hypocholesterolaemic effects of PS and support further investigation into the possible mechanisms behind these findings.
authors: Nutraceuticals Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, 305C Medical Science Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Jessica.Ferguson@uon.edu.au.
authors: Jessica J A
authors: JJ
authors: Ferguson
authors: School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Newcastle Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Elizabeth.Stojanovski@newcastle.edu.au.
authors: Elizabeth
authors: E
authors: Stojanovski
authors: School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health & Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Lesley-wicks@newcastle.edu.au.
authors: Lesley
authors: L
authors: MacDonald-Wicks
authors: Nutraceuticals Research Group, School of Biomedical Sciences & Pharmacy, 305C Medical Science Building, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. Electronic address: Manohar.Garg@newcastle.edu.au.
authors: Manohar L
authors: ML
authors: Garg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010840:Phytosterols; D010938:Plant Oils; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Canola; Cholesterol; Dairy; Phytosterols; Rapeseed; Sunflower