Difference between revisions of "Plant Sterols"

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(The benefits of Plant Sterols are)
(List of Foods (with High Phytosterol) That Help Lower Serum Cholesterol)
 
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Sterols are present in both plants as well as animals. Animal sterols are nothing but cholesterol, while plant sterols or phytosterols are plant versions of cholesterol. They are compounds found naturally in the cell walls of plants and are present in small amounts on all kinds of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc. Plant sterols are present in larger amounts in corn oil, sesame and cotton oil and help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risks of heart diseases. They work primarily by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the intestine, thereby lowering the LDL cholesterol in the body. Plant-based foods contain small amounts of plant sterols, however, the interest in them has spearheaded their addition into dietary supplements and functional foods like margarines and spreads. Chemically similar to cholesterol, plant sterols are also available in dietary supplement form. Plant sterols are found naturally in the following foods:
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Phytosterols are plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol that act in the intestine to lower cholesterol absorption. The term  phytosterols covers plant sterols and plant stanols. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances present in the diet principally as minor components of vegetable oils. Plant stanols, occurring in nature at a lower level, are hydrogenation compounds of the respective plant sterols. Plant sterols and their hydrogenated forms, stanols, have attracted much attention because of their benefits to human health in reducing serum and LDL cholesterol levels, with vegetable oil processing being their major source in several food products currently sold. The predominant forms of plant sterol end products are sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol (in brassica).Sterols are present in both plants as well as animals. Animal sterols are nothing but cholesterol, while plant sterols or phytosterols are plant versions of cholesterol. They are compounds found naturally in the cell walls of plants and are present in small amounts on all kinds of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc.
*almonds
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*Brussels sprouts
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*peanuts
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*vegetable oils (including canola, corn, olive, and sesame oil)
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*wheat bran
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*wheat germ
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*In addition, a number of fortified foods (including cereal, milk, orange juice, vegetable oil spreads, and yogurt) contain added plant sterols.
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==Special Precautions of Plant Sterols==
 
==Special Precautions of Plant Sterols==
 
Over 80 studies conducted have shown no signs of any side effects when plant sterols are taken in appropriate amounts. However, when taken in high doses, certain mild side effects are seen to have occurred. The different side effects are:
 
Over 80 studies conducted have shown no signs of any side effects when plant sterols are taken in appropriate amounts. However, when taken in high doses, certain mild side effects are seen to have occurred. The different side effects are:
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* Studies suggest that plant sterols may help keep cholesterol in check by inhibiting the intestines' absorption of cholesterol. In doing so, plant sterols help to reduce circulating levels of cholesterol and lower your levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
 
* Studies suggest that plant sterols may help keep cholesterol in check by inhibiting the intestines' absorption of cholesterol. In doing so, plant sterols help to reduce circulating levels of cholesterol and lower your levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.
  
== List of Foods (with High Phytosterol) That Help Lower Serum Cholesterol</a></h2> ==
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== List of Foods (with High Phytosterol) That Help Lower Serum Cholesterol==
  
In the following table is a list of foods high/low in phytosterols. Generally, oils have high phytosterol content where as vegetables and fruits have lower content. The phytosterol content presented below is the sum of beta sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol.</p>
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In the following table is a list of foods high/low in phytosterols. Generally, oils have high phytosterol content where as vegetables and fruits have lower content. The phytosterol content presented below is the sum of beta sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol.
 
<table style="width: 429px;" summary="phytosterols in food" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
 
<table style="width: 429px;" summary="phytosterols in food" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
<tbody style="text-align: left;">
 
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: left;" width="269"><strong>Phytosterol food sources</strong></td>
 
<td style="text-align: left;" width="269"><strong>Phytosterol food sources</strong></td>
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
<td style="text-align: left;">Flax seed</a></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;">Flax seed</td>
 
<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<div style="text-align: right;">338</div>
 
<div style="text-align: right;">338</div>
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</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
<td style="text-align: left;">Soybean</a></td>
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<td style="text-align: left;">Soybean</td>
 
<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<div style="text-align: right;">221</div>
 
<div style="text-align: right;">221</div>
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<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: left;">
 
<div style="text-align: right;">8</div>
 
<div style="text-align: right;">8</div>
</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tbody>
 
</table>
 
</div>
 
<div class="cleared"></div>
 
</div>
 
<table style="width: 429px;" summary="phytosterols in food" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1">
 
<tbody style="text-align: left;">
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: left;" width="269"><strong>Phytosterol food sources</strong></td>
 
<td style="text-align: left;" width="313"><strong>Total phytosterol content (mg/100g)</strong></td>
 
</tr>
 
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<tr style="text-align: left;">
 
<td style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"><strong>Nuts</strong></td>
 
<td style="text-align: center;" colspan="2"><strong>Nuts</strong></td>
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</td>
 
</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
</tbody>
 
 
</table>
 
</table>
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== References ==
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[[Category:Treatments]]
 
[[Category:Treatments]]
 
[[Category:X]]
 
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Latest revision as of 01:15, 6 October 2012

Phytosterols are plant sterols structurally similar to cholesterol that act in the intestine to lower cholesterol absorption. The term phytosterols covers plant sterols and plant stanols. Plant sterols are naturally occurring substances present in the diet principally as minor components of vegetable oils. Plant stanols, occurring in nature at a lower level, are hydrogenation compounds of the respective plant sterols. Plant sterols and their hydrogenated forms, stanols, have attracted much attention because of their benefits to human health in reducing serum and LDL cholesterol levels, with vegetable oil processing being their major source in several food products currently sold. The predominant forms of plant sterol end products are sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol and brassicasterol (in brassica).Sterols are present in both plants as well as animals. Animal sterols are nothing but cholesterol, while plant sterols or phytosterols are plant versions of cholesterol. They are compounds found naturally in the cell walls of plants and are present in small amounts on all kinds of fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc.

Special Precautions of Plant Sterols

Over 80 studies conducted have shown no signs of any side effects when plant sterols are taken in appropriate amounts. However, when taken in high doses, certain mild side effects are seen to have occurred. The different side effects are:

  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Erectile Dysfunction or Impotence
  • Decreased sex drive

The benefits of Plant Sterols are

  • Studies suggest that plant sterols may help keep cholesterol in check by inhibiting the intestines' absorption of cholesterol. In doing so, plant sterols help to reduce circulating levels of cholesterol and lower your levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

List of Foods (with High Phytosterol) That Help Lower Serum Cholesterol

In the following table is a list of foods high/low in phytosterols. Generally, oils have high phytosterol content where as vegetables and fruits have lower content. The phytosterol content presented below is the sum of beta sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol.

Phytosterol food sources Total phytosterol content (mg/100g)
Oils
Rice bran
1055
Corn
952
Wheat germ
553
Flax seed
338
Cottonseed
327
Soybean
221
Peanut
206
Olive
176
Coconut
91
Palm
49
Vegetables
Beet root
25
Brussels sprout
24
Cauliflower
18
Onion
15
Carrot
12
Cabbage
11
Yam
10
Fruits
Orange
24
Banana
16
Apple
12
Cherry
12
Peach
10
Pear
8
Nuts
Cashew
158
Almond
143
Pecan
108
Pistachio
108
Walnut
108
Legumes
Pea
135
Kidney bean
127
Broad bean
124

References

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.