VEGETABLE STEROLS AND THEIR EFFECT ON LDL( LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN) LEVEL IN BLOOD
These are essential natural components of vegetables, very useful in their function having an hormone effect on plants.
They are similar in structure to the zoosterol ( it is like cholesterol and some Animal
Hormones ) and because of their similarity they exert their effect, especially
in people with a high level of Chol. and LDL, but to be avoided if you have a
lower level of LDL in blood.
This is why we are not equal when we determine
our diets needs
Sterols lower cholesterol by impeding the absorption
of Chol. in the intestine pretty much like soluble fibers
They may be helpful and reduce in some
cases the LDL level up to 15 % without raising HDL ( you need omega 3 for it )
They are found in small amount in
fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes
They are in greater quantity in tall
pine tree and soybean, from where they are extracted to be added to food like
orange juice, margarine, cereal bar
If you need them you should be eating
and adding these sterols to your diet in a quantity variable from 1,3 gr. Of
sterol esters or 3,4 gr. Of stanol ester , reducing the risk of cardiovascular
diseases
In a study published on the England
Journal of medicine in 1995 done on randomized, double blind, it tested and
followed 153 people divided in 2 groups. Their diet was added with margarine or
with margarine and sterol, the effect and results were quite impressive
First group LDL lowered by 1,1 %
Second gropu LDL lowered by 14 %
You must be careful though not to overcome these dosages because they also lower the level of absorption of carotenoids and Vitamin D with impairment on their blood level and health consequences and not to be used if your LDL level is already low
