Phytosterols and Its Effect on Human Health

Phytosterols or stanols are large group of compounds found exclusively in plants. These are naturally present in plants and are structurally similar to cholesterol. A daily intake of 3 g of phytosterol (or their reduced form stanols) is associated with consistent and reproducible reduction in LDL cholesterol concentrations upto 10% and reduces the risk of coronary heart disease by 20% over a lifetime. Studies have concluded that the effective doses for reduction of cholesterol are between 1.5 and 3g/day, leading to decrease in 8% and 15% of LDLcholesterol. The principal mechanism of action is based on interference with the solubilization of the cholesterol in the intestinal mucosa. Several studies have validated the cholesterol lowering effect of phytosterols and stanols along with its role in prevention of coronary heart diseases. Phytosterols and stanols fortified foods and formulations should pave the greater use of such ingredients for promotion in human health.