Often referred to as phytosterols, Plant Sterols are fatty acid esters that are seen in many food sources such as fruits and vegetables, fish, nuts, legumes, seeds and even vegetable oils. Some companies have also fortified their products in such a way that they can lay claim to their beneficial health properties e.g margarine claiming to be heart friendly. Health practitioners believe that consuming at least 1.5g to 2.4g of Plant sterols can reduce blood cholesterol by 7-10% in just a matter of two-three weeks. An average daily diet for humans includes about 300mg of plant sterol; however, for vegetarians it can be twice this amount.
The primary role of plant sterols is its effect on the body??s cholesterol levels and dietary fats. The plant sterol acts as competition for cholesterol from high fat foods and fatty meats. It blocks the absorption of the cholesterol through the intestinal tract, this prevents the cholesterol from entering the blood stream and reduces the probability of the fats being deposited to the organs and causing problems. The bound cholesterol is then excreted out of the body. Overall, plant sterols helps lower the LDL or bad cholesterol in the body.
The European Food Standards Agency (EFSA) confirms that regular consumption of the plant sterols within the specified dosage can help reduce the chances and risks of a person contracting coronary heart disease. Consuming 2.5 to 3.0g of Plant sterols daily can reduce the LDL concentration in just two or three weeks