Can phytosterols lower cholesterol? – Porvoo

What are sterols？

Sterols are a kind of natural active substances widely existing in living organisms. According to sources, they can be divided into three major categories: animal sterols, phytosterols, and fungal sterols. Animal sterols are mainly cholesterol, and the intake of cholesterol is the main cause of elevated blood cholesterol, while phytosterols can effectively reduce cholesterol.

Can phytosterols lower cholesterol？

Phytosterols competitively reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and reduce cholesterol flux through chylomicrons to the liver, resulting in increased endogenous cholesterol synthesis and LDL receptor expression. Numerous studies have confirmed that phytosterols can lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Clinical trials have shown that a daily intake of 2.5g – 3g of phytosterols can reduce LDL in the blood by about 10-12.5%.

Plant sterols are widely recognized

The cholesterol-lowering effect of phytosterols has been widely recognized worldwide, including by the World Heart Federation, the American Heart Association, and the European Atherosclerosis Society, etc. In China, phytosterols have been approved as new resource foods.

Food sources of phytosterols

Phytosterols are components of plant cell membranes and are contained in almost all plant foods. Human and animal bodies cannot synthesize them endogenously. And they can only be ingested through food and absorbed through the intestinal tract. Vegetable oils are foods with the highest phytosterol content, such as sesame oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, etc. While an excessive intake of vegetable oil will lead to excess energy, and it is not advisable for patients with hypercholesterolemia to consume more phytosterols by taking too much vegetable oil.

In addition to vegetable oils, nuts, grains, and legumes are also rich in phytosterols. In every 100g of soybean and corn, the content of phytosterol is more than 100mg. The consumption of 67g of nuts per day can reduce total cholesterol by an average of 5.1% and LDL cholesterol by an average of 7.4%. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with hypercholesterolemia intake more phytosterols through a variety of dietary sources.

Shaanxi Porvoo Biotech Ltd. has been focusing on the production and development of natural plant extracts for many years. Our phytosterol ingredients are extracted from soybeans, pine, or corn. The product does not contain any genetically modified substances or pesticide residues and can be directly used in pharmaceuticals, food, feed, cosmetics, and many other industries. If you have any inquiries about phytosterol, please contact us at porvoo@porvoobio.com. Or you can submit your request at the bottom and we’re here for you!