What Are Plant Sterols, Plant Stanols And Their Esters?
Plant sterols and plant stanols (also referred to as phytosterols and phytostanols) occur naturally. They contain the same chemical structure and perform similar cellular functions as cholesterol. They are recommended as nutritional modifiers of serum lipids.Plant sterols differ from plant stanols since they are more readily absorbed than plant stanols.
Plant sterols or plant stanols undergo esterification to form sterol esters or stanol esters respectively. The esterification process is performed to enhance solubility. Plant sterols can also be saturated to produce stanol esters.Esterified forms of plant stanols and sterols are effective hypercholesterolemic agents.
The efficiency of these forms of plant stanol esters and plant sterol esters is analogous. Additionally, non-esterified forms of sterols and stanols are comparably efficient.
Note :Esterification is a process that involves combining alcohol (ROH) with organic acid (RCOOH) to produce an ester (RCOOR) and water. In essence, this chemical process results in the formation of an ester.
Are Plant Sterols And Plant Stanols Classified As Fats?
Plant sterols and plant stanols are not fats but lipids (a broader class under which fats and oils are classified). They however denote an importance to cholesterol levels and heart health.
Benefits Of Plant Sterols And Plant Stanols (And Their Esters)
Plant stanols contribute to further lowering of LDL cholesterol( cholesterol which is associated with an elevated risk of atherosclerosis) and total cholesterol even for patients on statin therapy. The outcomes of plant stanols and sterols use on HDL cholesterol and triglycerides are limited.
How Do Plant Sterols, Plant Stanols And Their Esters Work?
When you ingest plant sterols, they are presumed to compete with cholesterol for absorption into your system.They diminish the absorption of cholesterol. This decrease in cholesterol absorption facilitates an increase in the uptake of LDL cholesterol by the liver. Resultantly, they lower your blood LDL cholesterol levels.
Other possibilities on how cholesterol may be removed by plant sterols and stanols include the displacement of cholesterol from bile, or by reducing the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters once inside the small intestine.
Sources
They are naturally found in:
- Nuts
- Oils e.g. olive oils
- Fruits
- Grains
- Seeds
- Vegetables
Other products contain added sterols including:
- Yoghurt
- Spreads
- Juices
- Cereals
- Breads
There are also supplements for plant stanols and sterols. A dietitian can provide further guidance on their use.
For maximal efficacy, foods rich in plant sterols and stanols (juices ,spreads and yoghurt) should be combined with other foods.
Who Should Not Use Stanols And Sterols(And Their Esters)?
Individuals with sitosterolemia are predisposed to an increased risk of atherosclerosis, especially with a high intake of plant sterols and stanols. Hence, they should not use them.
Risks Associated With The Intake Of Plant Sterols And Plant Stanols (And Their Esters)
In excess, sterols and stanols may increase the risk of liver damage, elevate Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and lead to weight gain.
RDA
If an individual has no contraindications of plant sterols and stanols intake. The daily consumption of 2 g to 3 g stanol ester– and sterol ester–enriched foods may be significant in the reduction of total cholesterol concentrations. They can be taken twice or thrice per day, to total to 2 g or 3 g, alongside a cardioprotective diet, to manage cholesterol levels.However, it is more suitable to involve a dietitian.
Plant stanols and plant sterols have the potential to reduce LDL cholesterol and are therefore used as hypercholesterolemic agents. A high intake of phytosterols may lead to undesirable effects. Including them in your diet can assert cardioprotective benefits.However , a healthy nutritious diet remains essential and should not be replaced with stanols or sterols and neither should they act as substitutes for cholesterol-lowering drugs. You are still required to implement changes to your diet and lifestyle to help decrease your cholesterol levels and to maintain overall cardiovascular health.