High-Dose Plant Stanols Lower LDL

MAASTRICHT, NetherlandsDaily consumption of plant stanols up to 9 g reduced serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations up to 17.4 percent in a recent study from Maastricht University (Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Jul;92(1):24-33).

The researchers noted current recommendations of plant stanols are 2 to 3 g/d, but they wanted to investigate the effects of high doses on serum LDL cholesterol and on fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations.

Healthy subjects (n = 93) with slightly elevated serum total cholesterol concentrations (5.0 to 8.0 mmol/L) received, after a three-week run-in period, control products (n = 22) or products (margarine and soy-based yogurt) providing 3 g (n = 24), 6 g (n = 22) or 9 g (n = 25) plant stanols provided as fatty acid esters for 4 weeks.

Serum LDL cholesterol decreased dose-dependently. Compared with control, decreases in the 3 g group were 0.32 mmol/L (7.4 percent; P = 0.005). An intake of 6 g plant stanols caused an additional decrease of 0.18 mmol/L (4.5 percent; P = 0.100 compared with the 3 g group). In the 9-g group, a further decrease of 0.22 mmol/L (5.4 percent) was observed (P = 0.048 compared with the 6 g group). Serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were lowered by 17.4 percent in the 9 g group compared with the control group.

Researchers found no effects, good or bad, on beta-carotene concentrations, serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, alpha-tocopherol and lutein concentrations. Additionally, plasma markers reflecting liver and renal function were not affected.