Plant Sterols in foods and enhanced products

Plant sterols and stanols are substances that occur naturally in small amounts in many grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Since they have powerful cholesterol-lowering properties, manufacturers have started adding them to foods. You can now get stanols or sterols in margarine spreads, orange juice, cereals, and even granola bars.

On a molecular level, sterols and stanols look a lot like cholesterol. So when they travel through your digestive tract, they get in the way. They can prevent real cholesterol from being absorbed into your bloodstream. Instead of clogging up your arteries, the cholesterol just goes out with the waste.

The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that people who have high cholesterol get 2 grams of stanols or sterols a day.

The effects of naturally-occurring plant sterols on cholesterol metabolism have also been studied in both older and more recent literature. It was reported that the differences between effects of different plant oils on blood lipid profiles may be related to their content of plant sterols.

Indeed, there has been renewed interest in the cholesterol lowering properties of speciality grains and unprocessed oils rich in plant sterols including amaranth oil, rice bran oil, 100% Certified Organic Avocado Oil 16 fl oz (473 ml) Liquid, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Macadamia Oil, and Argan Oil.

Also, it was shown that the consumption of original Wheat Germ, which contains about 328 mg plant sterols, reduced the cholesterol absorption by 42.8 % compared to plant sterol-free wheat germ. These results indicate that naturally available plant sterols are biologically effective as plant sterol supplementation in reducing cholesterol absorption, and that natural plant sterols have important effects on cholesterol metabolism.


Commercially, plant sterols are currently contained in bars (Benecol Smart Chews, Caramel), vegetable oils, orange juice (cardio juice heart healthy), mayonnaises, yogurt drinks (Benecol), Pacific Natural Foods Select Soy Non-Dairy Beverage Vanilla, 32-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12), and green teas
(Triple Leaf Tea, Tea Bags, Cholesterid, 1.34-Ounce Box, 20-Count Boxes (Pack of 6)).
Health King Cholesterol Guard Herb Tea, Teabags, 20-Count Box (Pack of 4)
Cholesterol Management Herbal Tea Remedy, 100 tea bags


Plant sterols are also being sold or developed mixed with other functional ingredients such as: almonds, soy protein and viscous fibers; and minerals. There is also interest to combine plant sterols with antioxidants, such as flavonoids, quercetins, and catechin.

The statements and products referred to throughout this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a health condition or concern, consult a physician or your alternative health care provider. Always consult a medical doctor before modifying your diet, using any new product, drug, supplement, or doing new exercises. We recommend you educate yourselves on the scientific / nutritional facts.