One type of phytonutrient is phyosterol, which exists in a lot of vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts, cereals and legumes, and occurs throughout the plant kingdom. B-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol are the most typical phytosterols, and are known to be relatives of cholesterol that improve ones health. The differences between the chemical structure of cholesterol and that of phytosterols are very minute, but they are what determine the different impacts these phytosterols make.

Phytosterols function to regulate the fluidity of cell membranes in plants, much in the same way cholesterol functions in animals and humans. Researchers have been looking to phytosterols as a safe alternative for helping people maintain healthy blood cholesterol concentrations, healthy cardiovascular systems and healthy hearts. Phytosterols are known to inhibit the intestinal recycling process of the cholesterol produced by the liver, which in turn reduces the availability of cholesterol to the body; this interference could also inhibit a percentage of dietary cholesterol absorption. This inhibition is probably due to the fact that phytosterols are similar in structure to cholesterol. The most efficient way to intake plant sterols is with or near a meal, however, some research has proved that plant sterols can be effective if they are taken with a meal or not. It is also suggested that when taking plant sterols, they should be divided in doses to increase their beneficial effect.

Essentially all of the research conducted on phytosterols – including mathematical analyses of this research – show strong affiliations between phytosterol intake and the promotion of healthy blood cholesterol concentrations, healthy cardiovascular systerms and healthy hearts.

U.S. FDA: “Phytosterols Lower LDL-Cholesterol”

Following an elaborate review of “the totality of publicly available scientific evidence,” the US Food and Drug Administration have derived a few main points. The first being that “there is significant scientific agreement to support a relationship between consumption of plant sterol esters – especially ß -sitoserol, campesterol, and stigmasterol – and reduction in the risk of developing heart disease. The second is that “plant sterol esters reduce blood total and/or LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) levels to a significant degree.” The third is that blood HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels are not decreased by the consumption of plant. Finally, the fourth is that the benefits can be obtained by individuals with either elevated blood cholesterol levels or normal healthy blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, the blood cholesterol-lowering response takes place regardless of what is consumed the rest of the diet.

New Scientific Research: “Phytosterols Lower LDL-Cholesterol”

New research findings have mentioned the conclusions reached by the US Food and Drug Administration, and have been published since the government’s decisions. One such example is a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, showing that the cardiovascular health of men and women with blood LDL cholesterol concentrations within the “normal” range (blood LDL cholesterol concentration less than 100 mg/dL) received additional support after phytosterols were added to their daily diets, regardless of the nature of their diets. In a study of men and women with initially elevated blood cholesterol concentrations, similar results and benefits were experienced. Studies persistently have shown that phytosterols that are taken in amounts of 2 to 3 grams per day are able to lower LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels by approximately 10 percent. Furthermore, besides their beneficial effects on blood lipid levels, phytoserols can also normalize the inflammatory response of the immune system.

A comprehensive meta-analysis published earlier this year (2009) analyzed the results of 84 clinical trials using phytosterols.6 The authors concluded that their rigorous analysis confirmed the ability of phytosterols to significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels. The ability of phytosterols to reduce LDL concentrations was found to be dose-dependent. Again, they concluded that approximately 2 grams of phytosterols taken on a daily basis seemed to reduce LDL cholesterol by nearly 10%.

There are many nuts, seeds and oils that are classified as phytosterols that can be added to any diet. These substances are extra virgin olive oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, sesame oil, roasted or raw peanuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, flax seed, cashews, almonds, pecans, pistachios, sunflower seeds and walnuts. Phytosterols can also be added to the diet as a high-quality dietary supplement.

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