[Plant sterols as dietary supplements for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases].

Abstract

"Functional foods" supplemented with plant sterols are advertised and added to regular meals to reduce serum cholesterol concentrations. The effects of increased phytosterol levels on cardiovascular diseases, however, are not known. Findings in patients with sitosterolemia, data from epidemiological studies, and experimental data from animal studies suggest that plant sterols may potentially exert negative cardiovascular effects. Additional studies investigating relevant clinical endpoints are needed before a diet supplemented with plant sterols can be recommended in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

• Authors: O Weingärtner, M Böhm, U Laufs
• Journal: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Dtsch Med Wochenschr) Vol. 133 Issue 22 Pg. 1201-4 (May 2008) ISSN: 1439-4413 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Pflanzliche Sterole als Nahrungsmitteladditiva zur Prävention kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen.
• PMID: 18491276 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Phytosterols
• Sitosterols
• Cholesterol

Topics

• Animals
• Anticholesteremic Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Cardiovascular Diseases (etiology, prevention & control)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Dietary Supplements
• Humans
• Phytosterols (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Risk Factors
• Sitosterols (blood)