Q & A

Q: What are plant sterols?

A: The National Institutes of Health(NIH)recommends plant sterols(which include beta-sitosterol) as an option for lowering cholesterol and promoting cardiovascular health. Foods containing at least 0.65grams per serving of plant sterol esters, eaten twice a day with meals for a daily total of at least 1.3 grams, as part of a healthy diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease.

Beta-sitosterol is the most prevalent plant sterol(of over 40), accounting for approximately 50% of dietary plant sterols from fruit and vegetable sources. Since over half of American adults do not meet the minimum recommended consumption of five servings of fruits, and vegetables per day, supplementing the diet with plant sterols, especially beta-sitosterol, may be wise for those patient's wishing to lower cholesterol and promote cardiovascular health.