How Much Plant Sterol Is Needed to Lower Cholesterol?

Scientists know that plant sterols interfere with cholesterol absorption, but how well do these compounds work to lower cholesterol? To answer this question, investigators fed volunteers a carefully controlled diet with a measured small amount of plant sterols. They were then given a daily beverage with either no, 400 mg or 2000 mg of plant sterols as a supplement. At the highest dose, blood cholesterol levels dropped significantly by almost 9 percent. At the lower level of phytosterol supplementation, there was only a non-significant trend toward lower LDL cholesterol. This lower level can be achieved in the diet without supplementation, however.

[American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Dec 2009]