What’s all the hype about plant sterols and should they be included in your daily diet?

What is a plant sterol?  it is a substance naturally produced by plants that have been found to lower cholesterol and so become a useful food to add to our cholesterol lowering arsenal, along with decreasing saturated fats and increased exercise.

What to plant sterols do? they act to reduce low density lipoprotein (or LDL) cholesterol. This is the “bad” cholesterol that contributes to a narrowing of the arteries that causes heart disease (CVD). Plant sterols can lower total cholesterol by an average of 10%. As plant sterols are very similar in structure to the cholesterol we produce in our bodies, they compete with cholesterol for absorption into the body via the intestine. Instead, the cholesterol is harmlessly excreted and less ends up in the blood stream.

Where are plant sterols found in food? they are found naturally in foods such as:

• nuts, seeds and legumes
• bread and cereals
• fruit and vegetables ( small amounts)

Plant sterol enriched foods are available at your supermarket, so look aout for them next time you go shopping, if you wish to add them to your diet.