Abstract

Plant sterol and stanol esters have been introduced as an additional dietary means to lower serum total and LDL cholesterol concentration. In short-term studies they lower LDL cholesterol by 10%, and according to a meta-analysis by Malcolm Law the incidence of coronary heart disease is considered to be reduced by over 20% in long-term use of these products. Plant stanol and sterol esters are not identical sterols; they have different metabolic effects and their long-term efficacy seems to be different. The present review deals with the differences of the sterols and discusses what is known of their role in preventing the cardiovascular diseases.

Author Details

Authors

• T.A. Miettinen
• H. Gylling

Departments

• ¹ Department of Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, and
• ² Department of Clinical Nutrition, University of Kuopio, and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

Address

T.A. Miettinen, MD
Biomedicum Helsinki, Room C422
P.O. Box 700
00029 Hus, Finland
Email: [email protected]

Citation