What are plant sterols?
Plant sterols, aka phytosterols, are molecules found in various foods such as vegetables, fruit, whole grains, plant oils and seeds. As the name suggest, they are sterols (a category of compounds that are structurally similar to cholesterol & sex hormones).
Many of us can benefit from these whole food sources of sterols, but when we are using them for cardiovascular disease, we are often using them in more concentrated forms such as supplements.
*Note: You may also find them under their more specific names, such as beta-sitosterol.
Are they good for the heart?
Plant sterols have gained popularity since scientist discovered that they have the ability to lower LDL cholesterol (aka bad cholesterol). Their capacity to lower cholesterol is due to their structural similarity to cholesterol. They are not exactly the same, but similar enough to bind to the same receptor sites as cholesterol.
Plant sterols will compete with cholesterol for receptor sites in the gut and consequentially block some of our cholesterol from absorbing. This ultimately leads to a 10% reduction of total cholesterol and 13% reduction of LDL cholesterol(1,2).
Furthermore, because plant sterols are blocking cholesterol at the level of the gut, they can be used alongside statins to further decrease LDL cholesterol. This is because statins affect our endogenous (made by our own body) production of cholesterol.
Because these 2 therapies lower cholesterol in different ways, they can be used to compliment one another. This is an important distinction because statins are the most commonly prescribed medications in North America for the purpose of lowering cholesterol. Furthermore, many natural/alternative cholesterol lowering supplements can interact with statins, or would provide no additional benefit.
Plant sterols however, could be used in cases where someone is resistant to statin therapy, or not responding well enough.
Should they be used to prevent heart attack and stroke?
As we know high LDL-cholesterol has been linked to increase rates of heart attack and stroke. Therefore, we would inherently think that plant sterols prevent these events because they lower LDL-cholesterol. However, lowering LDL-cholesterol doesn’t always mean you lower your risk of cardiovascular related events like heart attack, stroke and ultimately death.
This is because lowering the cholesterol may not be addressing the root problem. Elevated cholesterol is definitely part of the problem, but it is often a reflection of something deeper that is going on. If you never address that underlining cause, it has the potential to keep causing health issues even after you lower cholesterol to more ‘acceptable’ levels.
In fact, studies have shown just that. Plant sterols definitely lower cholesterol, but their overall effect on death rates isn’t as impressive.
Does this mean plant sterols have no value?! Of course not! Lowering LDL-cholesterol helps remove ONE of your risk factors. But, if you think this to be the solution to all of your cardiovascular problems, think again.
Are there cautions?
Like most supplements or drugs, there are things to consider when taking them. High dosing these sterols has the potential to impair the absorption of some fat soluble vitamins. This has been shown, to a small degree, with vitamin E & beta-carotene (a vitamin that converts into vitamin A).
To avoid a potential vitamin deficiency, ensure you are getting adequate levels of your fat soluble vitamins and if you take a supplement with these ingredients – take it away from your sterols.
In summary, are they a good supplement?
Yes, they have benefits for aspects of our health (ie lowering cholesterol) and very little risk associated with them. That being said, they should be a part of a well-rounded treatment plan, not a stand-alone, especially if you already have high LDL-cholesterol.
Disclaimer
Information can be empowering, but we all have unique health profiles and needs. The health-related information contained in this article is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit with a licensed naturopathic doctor. The advice in this article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
If you would like to learn more about what you can do to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, please feel free to book your 15 minute ‘Meet and Greet’ today.
References
- Gaby, A. (2011). Nutritional medicine (Vol. 265). Concord: Fritz Perlberg Publishing.
- Marangoni, F., & Poli, A. (2010). Phytosterols and cardiovascular health. Pharmacological Research, 61(3), 193-199.
- Genser, B., Silbernagel, G., De Backer, G., Bruckert, E., Carmena, R., Chapman, M. J., … & März, W. (2012). Plant sterols and cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European heart journal, 33(4), 444-451.