Positive Health Online
Your Country
![[Image: http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2836.df7d2315253110ff5b3a566f94871f99.jpg "http://www.abundanceandhealth.co.uk")
![[Image: https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/4046.12831f50177f8848ee87b8e94411d6b3.jpg "https://www.water-for-health.co.uk/")
![[Image: http://www.balens.co.uk]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/2148.50367fa908013fae0a7f1a171543ef92.jpg "http://www.balens.co.uk")
![[Image: http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer]](/img/original/BannerAvatar/1859.1296090fd8385e7ceff51c8011559097.jpg "http://www.drsgoodman.com/books-goodman/52-nutrition-and-cancer")
Research: KORPELA and co-authors,
Listed in Issue 130
Abstract
KORPELA and co-authors, Foundation for Nutrition Research, Helsinki, Finland, have investigated the safety and efficacy of low fat dairy products that contain plant sterols.
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a plant sterol mixture would reduce serum cholesterol when added to low fat dairy products, and to examine the effects of the mixture on the serum plant sterol and fat-soluble vitamin levels.
Methodology
In a parallel, double-blind study, 164 subjects with mildly or moderately elevated cholesterol levels were randomly divided into two groups: a plant sterol group and a control group. The subjects consumed the products for 6 weeks after a 3-week run-in period. The targeted plant sterol intake was 2 g/day in the sterol group.
Results
During the treatment period, there was a 6.5% reduction in serum total cholesterol in the sterol group while no change was observed in the control group (p<0.0005). Serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced by 10.4% in the sterol group and by 0.6% in the control group (p<0.00005). There was no change during the trial in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol or triacylglycerol concentrations. The HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio increased by 16.1% in the sterol group and by 4.3% in the control group (p=0.0001). Serum plant sterol levels increased significantly (p=0.0001) in the sterol group. None of the fat-soluble vitamin levels decreased significantly.
Conclusion
Yoghurt, low-fat hard cheese and low-fat fresh cheese enriched with a plant sterol mixture reduced serum cholesterol in subjects with elevated cholesterol, and no adverse effects were noted.
References
Korpela R, Tuomilehto J, Hogstrom P, Seppo L, Piironen V, Salo-Vaananen P, Toivo J, Lamberg-Allardt C, Karkkainen M, Outila T, Sundvall J, Vilkkila S, Tikkanen MJ. Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 60 (5): 633-642, May 2006.
