[The effects of plant sterols on hypercholesterolemia]

Increased serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Many clinical trials have proven that plant sterol and stanol esters can effectively decrease high serum total and LDL cholesterol. They reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol by decreasing the incorporation of dietary and biliary cholesterol into micelles displacing cholesterol from these micelles. They also increase LDL receptor activity on liver cells causing a higher uptake of LDL cholesterol and thus decreasing the serum LDL cholesterol concentration. Animal studies have indicated that plant sterols and stanols may also lower atherosclerotic lesions development. However, the evidence from human studies to confirm this is still lacking. Anyhow, plant sterol and stanol esters can be considered as an effective and safe cholesterol-lowering functional food ingredient. To achieve additional effects they can be combined with statin therapy, and this combination is also well tolerated and safe.