Soy Protein Enhances Cholesterol-Lowering Power of Plant Sterol Esters 32362

Soy Protein Enhances Cholesterol-Lowering Power of PlantSterol Esters

VLAARDINGEN, The Netherlands--A combination of plant sterol estersand soy protein significantly reduced plasma cholesterol compared to eachindividually, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journalof Nutrition (134:143-8, 2004) (www.nutrition.org).Researchers from Unilever Health Institute fed hamsters diets containing caseinor soy protein with or without plant sterol esters for five weeks. Compared withthe control casein diet, 0.24 g/100 g diet of PSE and 20 g/100 g diet of soyprotein (in place of casein) each lowered plasma total cholesterol by 13 percentand 9 percent, respectively. In combination, PSE and soy protein decreasedplasma total cholesterol by 26 percent, with reduction primarily in the non-HDLfraction. The combination also reduced plasma triacylglycerol concentration by37 percent.

Researchers noted PSE increased fecal excretion of neutral sterols by 190percent and soy protein increased such excretion by 66 percent. They concluded,"The combination of PSE and soy protein more dramatically lowers plasmalipids than the individual ingredients."