What are sterols and stanols?
Plant sterols, and to a lesser extent stanols, are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plant cell membranes. Small quantities can be found in vegetable oil, nuts, legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Sterols and stanols are structurally similar to animal cholesterol and carry out similar functions in plants that cholesterol does in the body. Because of these structural similarities, when sterols and stanols are consumed, they compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system. As a result cholesterol absorption is blocked. With regular use, research has shown that sterols and stanols can effectively reduce blood cholesterol levels. When consumed in recommended quantities as part of a low-fat diet, sterols and stanols have been shown to lower total cholesterol up to 10% and LDL or “bad” cholesterol up to 14%. This reduction is in addition to other cholesterol-lowering strategies you may have initiated, such as eating more heart healthfully or taking a
