Cholesterol isn't completely a malicious substance. The body actually produces it and uses it in cell membranes, hormones, and bile. It also gets recycled and reused. However, [generally,] the body makes enough without dietary consumption and there is a need to check its absorption in the digestive tract. Plant sterols are substances naturally present in different plant foods, "especially grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and legumes." Similar in chemical makeup and shape to cholesterol, plant sterols work by displacing it in the digestive tract (to the tune of 50 to 80%) to prevent absorbing too much. This displacement is crucial to help stave off high blood cholesterol and heart disease. Most modern diets average around .4 grams (400 mg) a day of plant sterols, but though much more difficult to attain, really ought to be at least 1.3 g (1,300 mg) to lower blood cholesterol(1).
A placebo-controlled, crossover human study supplemented participants on a plant sterol-deficient diet averaging about 59 mg a day consumed with beverages containing 0, 400, and 2,000 mg for 4 weeks each, order randomized. Serum LDL cholesterol, "fecal cholesterol excretion and intestinal cholesterol absorption" were monitored. Fecal cholesterol elimination and reduction of LDL cholesterol were more with the moderate and high doses of plant sterols yet it was the highest dose that significantly lowered serum LDL in the participants(2), more consistent with the above statements.
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Sources:
1. "Ingredient Spotlight: Plant Sterols." Isagenix Health, Isagenix Worldwide, Inc. 6 April 2018. Web 3 February 2020. https://www.isagenixhealth.net/ingredient-spotlight-plant-sterols/.
2. Racette, Susan B., Lin, Xiaobo, and others. "Dose effects of dietary phytosterols on cholesterol metabolism: a controlled feeding study." Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jan;91(1):32-8. Epub 2009 Nov 4. PMID: 19889819. GreenMedInfo, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/dietary-phytosterols-improve-whole-body-cholesterol-metabolism-dose-dependent-, Abstract.
A placebo-controlled, crossover human study supplemented participants on a plant sterol-deficient diet averaging about 59 mg a day consumed with beverages containing 0, 400, and 2,000 mg for 4 weeks each, order randomized. Serum LDL cholesterol, "fecal cholesterol excretion and intestinal cholesterol absorption" were monitored. Fecal cholesterol elimination and reduction of LDL cholesterol were more with the moderate and high doses of plant sterols yet it was the highest dose that significantly lowered serum LDL in the participants(2), more consistent with the above statements.
Personal Product Favorite:
https://shorte.isagenix.com/en-us/products/vitality-well-being/individual/shake-booster-heart
Sources:
1. "Ingredient Spotlight: Plant Sterols." Isagenix Health, Isagenix Worldwide, Inc. 6 April 2018. Web 3 February 2020. https://www.isagenixhealth.net/ingredient-spotlight-plant-sterols/.
2. Racette, Susan B., Lin, Xiaobo, and others. "Dose effects of dietary phytosterols on cholesterol metabolism: a controlled feeding study." Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jan;91(1):32-8. Epub 2009 Nov 4. PMID: 19889819. GreenMedInfo, https://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/dietary-phytosterols-improve-whole-body-cholesterol-metabolism-dose-dependent-, Abstract.
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