Educational Information
Why should I be concerned about my cholesterol level?
Because elevated blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease, and heart disease is responsible for 50% of all deaths in industrialized countries such as the United States. In fact, nearly 100 million Americans have elevated cholesterol (>200 mg/dL) and, oftentimes, they don't even know it. High blood cholesterol is one risk factor that can often be modified by lifestyle changes, such as eating a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol and high in grains, fruits and vegetables. Consuming plant sterols as a regular part of a healthy diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol provides another natural option in the maintenance of cardiovascular health.
What are plant sterols?
Plant sterols, such as Cargill Health & Food Technologies' CoroWise™, are natural compounds that can be consumed regularly as a part of a healthy diet. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, breads and other whole grain products, and most vegetable oils contain at least some plant sterols. However, it is difficult to consume enough of these foods on a daily basis to derive enough plant sterols to have a cholesterol-lowering effect. Based on data from scores of trials conducted on the use of plant sterols in the diet, a daily intake of at least 1.3 grams of plant sterols as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is recommended to provide significant cholesterol lowering benefits. Consuming foods with added plant sterols is one way to ensure that an effective daily intake is attained.
How do plant sterols lower cholesterol levels in the blood?
Because plant sterols are structurally similar to cholesterol, they compete with the cholesterol we ingest for absorption through the small intestine. To a point, the more plant sterol present in the intestine following a meal, the less cholesterol absorption will occur. Further, the plant sterols we consume are not absorbed themselves to any appreciable extent. So, when you consume plant sterols you not only inhibit the uptake of cholesterol by the body, but you "flush" the plant sterols through the system without absorbing them as well. The overall effect is an average "bad" (LDL) cholesterol decline of 8-15%, with no observed adverse effects.
Are plant sterols safe?
Yes. Scores of human studies with plant sterols have shown no adverse effects. Some studies have found that large doses of plant sterols reduce the absorption of the pre-vitamin beta-carotene. However, clinical trials have demonstrated that even in the face of rather large daily intakes of plant sterols, serum fat-soluble vitamin levels, including vitamin A, remained well within normal ranges. There is no reason not to consume and enjoy plant sterol-containing products on an ongoing basis.
How can people consume more plant sterols?
Cargill Health & Food Technologies is working with a number of food companies that plan to incorporate plant sterols into new and existing products. Plant sterols have proven successful in a wide range of products worldwide, including spreads, yogurt and milk.
Clinically shown to lower cholesterol, plant sterols can serve as an important part of a heart-healthy diet.
Where can I get more information on CoroWise?
Additional information on CoroWise™ plant sterols can be found at www.corowise.com.