Plant sterols
April 28, 2009 by BlogYrHealth
Filed under Health
There is a controversy regarding food additives that are supposed to lower cholesterol levels. Plant sterols belong to a group of phytochemicals naturally occurring in plants. They are white powders with mild characteristic odor, insoluble in water and soluble in alcohols. As food additive, they are supposed to lower cholesterol. But this claim is being disputed.
There is not enough evidence to show that plant sterols actually lower blood cholesterol levels. But plant sterol advocates claim that they function by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from food during digestion. Those who oppose, claim that there is evidence that they actually promote atherosclerosis in susceptible individuals. This is a case of one side claiming positive attributes while another cautioning against use because of damaging side effects.
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