Phytosterols May Lower Triglycerides

LA GRANGE, Ill.Phytosterols may reduce triglycerides, as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, according to recent findings presented by Todd Rideout at SupplySide West 2010. Rideout, adjunct professor, Department of Human Nutritional Sciences, Richardson Centre for Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals, Canada, shared research showing the promising benefits of phytosterols for reducing triglycerides, for use in personalized nutritional programs, and for combination therapies with other dietary supplements and drugs.

Specifically, the triglyceride lowering effects of phytosterols have been recently suggested in several human trials including a meta-analysis (J Nutr 2009, 139, 1143-1149 and J Am Coll Nutr 2008, 27, 117-126). Rideout pointed out that results from previous animal studies have been inconsistent and is encouraging more research in this area to understand the utility of phytosterols in lowering triglyceride concentrations.

We are very excited about the potential of sterols in safely and effectively combating heart-related conditions worldwide," he said. The totality of evidence supports phytosterols in lowering LDL cholesterol and now we have new information suggesting benefits on a broader scale."

Understanding why some patients respond to phytosterols better than others is driving his studies into the factors affecting response to lipid-lowering therapies. We have to move away from a one-size fits all mentality," he said. Instead we need to break it down by individual and look at things like metabolic variations, genotype, diet, dose and baseline LDL." He said individual factors affecting cholesterol synthesis will give doctors detailed information so they can prescribe the best therapy for a patient.

Phytosterols are found naturally in vegetables, fruits, vegetable oils, legumes, nuts and grains.

Dr. Rideout suggested that patients may see even greater benefits when combining sterols with other therapies. Omega-3 fatty acids appear to work well with plant sterols and in these combination studies we have seen a 20- to 25-percent drop in triglycerides and a 5- to 15-percent increase in high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol."

Laura Troha, marketing manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health, NA, supplemented Rideouts presentation with new marketing data.

With Cognis market leadership position in phytosterols, Cognis is committed to building consumer awareness worldwide," she said. In fact, 45 percent of consumers surveyed are now aware of the health benefit of plant sterols in reducing risk of heart disease. Thats a dramatic peak in awareness when you consider that awareness was only 2 percent about 8 years ago."

She explained that Heart Choice® phytosterols are clinically proven to lower cholesterol up to 15 percent with a health claim approved by FDA. Heart Choice® ingredients meet the requirements for Novel Foods approval in Canada and the unqualified FDA-approved health claim in the United States for phytosterols and reduced risk of coronary heart disease. With a natural source, kosher, non-GM/IP certified plant sterols and sterol esters, Cognis product line can be used in a variety of functional food applications and dietary supplements. Cognis has production facilities in the United States, Germany and France.