What is the difference between plant sterols and stanols?
A. Plant stanols and sterols are structurally very similar to cholesterol, but are found in plant oils. Sitosterol is the primary phytosterol found in vegetable oils. Sitostanols (stanols) are the saturated form of sitosterols, making them extremely stable. Plant stanol esters, the unique ingredient contained in BENECOL Spreads are produced by the hydrogenation of plant sterols and subsequent esterification with fatty acids. Plant stanols are virtually unabsorbed by the body; plant sterols are absorbed to a greater degree.
