final thought
The Right Time and
Method for Plant Stanols
Investigation of the most effective mechanisms for ingesting plant
stanol esters for optimum efficacy in lowering serum cholesterol
levels has demonstrated that there are preferred times for ingestion,
and that there are a number of related methods involved.
Dietary fat is absorbed only after the forma- Optimum Dosage tion (-12%) is achieved at a stanol intake of
tion of mixed micelles in the upper part of A compilation of clinical studies (placebo- approximately 2 g/day.
1
Increasing the dose
the small intestine, through the interaction controlled and randomized) with stanol does not amount to significant further reduc-
of ingested lipids and bile salts from the gall ester margarine-type spreads showed that tions in serum LDL levels (Figure 1).
bladder. Mixed micelles provide a mecha- the optimal serum LDL cholesterol reduc-
nism for ingested fatty acids, monoglycerides Different Food Matrices
and sterols (cholesterol, plant sterols and The efficacy of stanol esters in low-fat foods
plant stanols) to be transported to the has also been trialled by incorporating them
intestinal epithelial cells (enterocytes). into new food product forms in randomized
intervention trials. Yoghurt is one example;
When plant stanols are ingested with a meal, serum total and LDL cholesterol were re-
they displace cholesterol from the micelles, duced by 9% and 14%, respectively, in sub-
therefore limiting the amount available for jects consuming stanol ester compared with
absorption. When the plant stanols are a low-fat (less than 1%) placebo yoghurt.
2

absorbed into the enterocytes, the stanols The full effect was evident within a week of
activate transporters that pump cholesterol starting the trial. Other low-fat foodstuffs that
back into the intestinal lumen, thereby fur- have been tested have included ready-made
ther reducing cholesterol levels absorbed into meals, pasta and low fat cheese. These
the bloodstream. This two-fold mechanism studies indicated that the food matrix has
underlies the importance of ingesting plant some effect on the efficacy of the serum
stanol esters at meal times, with dietary fats, cholesterol lowering mechanism.
1
to achieve optimum efficacy.
34 nutraceutical business & technology may digital 2007 www.nutraceuticalmag.com
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