Plant sterol consumption frequency affects plasma lipid levels and cholesterol kinetics in humans

To compare the efficacy of single versus multiple doses of plant sterols on circulating lipid level and cholesterol trafficking.

A randomized, placebo-controlled, three-phase (6 days/phase) crossover, supervised feeding trial was conducted in 19 subjects. Subjects were provided (i) control margarine with each meal; (ii) 1.8 g/day plant sterols in margarine with breakfast (single-BF) and control margarine with lunch and supper or (iii) 1.8 g/day plant sterols in margarine divided equally at each of the three daily meals (three times per day).

Relative to control, end point plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were lower (P<0.05) after consuming plant sterols three times per day but were not different when consumed once per day (3.43+/-0.62, 3.22+/-0.58 and 3.30+/-0.65 mmol/l, control, three times per day and single-BF, respectively). Relative to the control, end point LDL level was 0.21+/-0.27 mmol/l (6%) lower (P<0.05) at the end of the three times per day phase. Cholesterol fractional synthesis rate was highest (P<0.05) after the three times per day phase (0.0827+/-0.0278, 0.0834+/-0.0245 and 0.0913+/-0.0221 pool/day, control, single-BF and three times per day, respectively). Cholesterol-absorption efficiency decreased (P<0.05) by 36 and 39% after the three times per day and single-BF phase, respectively, relative to control.

Present data indicate that to obtain optimal cholesterol-lowering impact, plant sterols should be consumed as smaller doses given more often, rather than one large dose.