Plant Sterols
Commonly used for
Heart HealthMetabolic Health
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The cheapest product is usually low quality, but more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
What is it? / Overview
Plant sterols compete with cholesterol for absorption in the intestine lowering LDL cholesterol by approximately 7–12% when consumed consistently with meals.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Plant sterol or stanol esters
Typical dose studied: 2 g/day divided with meals
Timing: Divided with meals containing fat
Benefits greatest when consumed daily with fat-containing meals.
How well does it work? / Evidence
✓ Well-established
Who should avoid it?
Already taking it? Continue alongside heart-healthy dietary changes. Sitosterolemia (a rare genetic phytosterol-accumulation disorder) is a real but very rare contraindication -- plant sterol supplementation would directly worsen it.
Research & references
National Lipid Association Recommendations. ESC/EAS Dyslipidemia Guidelines. Demonty I et al. Plant sterol meta-analysis.
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