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What are plant sterols and stanols?

Plant sterols and stanols are substances naturally found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

How do plant sterols and stanols affect my body?

Research has shown that plant sterols and stanols help lower cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body uses to protect nerves, make cell tissues and produce certain hormones. Your liver makes all the cholesterol your body needs. Your body also gets cholesterol directly from the food you eat (such as eggs, meats and dairy products).

There are 2 types of cholesterol:

• low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol,
• high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol.

High levels of LDL cholesterol can damage your arteries and contribute to heart disease. A high level of HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, can actually help protect your arteries and prevent atherosclerosis.

Path to Improved Health

If you have high cholesterol, eating plant sterols and stanols can help lower your LDL cholesterol while keeping your HDL cholesterol the same. Normally, your body’s small intestine absorbs cholesterol from the foods you eat. To your body, plant sterols and stanols “look” a lot like cholesterol. They can prevent your body from absorbing LDL cholesterol. Over time, this lowers the level of LDL cholesterol in your blood.

How much do I need to help lower my cholesterol?

If you need to lower your cholesterol, Health Canada recommends that you take in 2 grams of plant sterols and stanols each day. However, it is important to remember that plant sterols and stanols alone will not help you reach your cholesterol goals. To improve your cholesterol levels, you will also need to make lifestyle changes that include eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising and quitting smoking.

What foods contain plant sterols and stanols?

Although plant sterols and stanols are naturally found in some foods, these amounts have only a very small effect on cholesterol levels. To use sterols and stanols to reduce your LDL cholesterol level, you will need more than these foods can provide.

Some foods are now fortified with plant sterols and stanols. These include fortified mayonnaise, margarine, and salad dressing. Dietary supplements are also available. Ask your healthcare provider whether getting your sterols and stanols from a fortified food or a dietary supplement is right for you.

If you do use these products, keep in mind that the amount of plant sterols/stanols varies from product to product.

You must read label information carefully to find out the appropriate daily dosage or serving size of these products. Also, remember that more isn’t always better. You still need to eat a wide variety of foods and be aware of how many calories you are eating.

Do plant sterols and stanols interact with any foods or medicines?

No, plant sterols and stanols have not been shown to interact with any foods or medicines.

Things to Consider

It is important to take your medicine just as your healthcare provider prescribed. You should not use plant sterols and stanols as a substitute for your cholesterol lowering medicine.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation Website at:
http://www.heartandstroke.ca/