Benefits of Phytosterols
Phytosterols are compounds found in plants that resemble cholesterol 2. The National Institutes of Health report that there are over 200 different phytosterols, and the highest concentrations of phytosterols are found naturally in vegetable oils, beans and nuts. Their benefits are so recognized that foods are being fortified with phytosterols. At the supermarket, you may see orange juice or margarine advertising phytosterol contents. After reviewing the health benefits, you may want to add phytosterol-rich foods to your diet.
Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits
The most well-known, and scientifically proven, benefit of phytosterols is their ability to help lower cholesterol 2. A phytosterol is a plant compound that is similar to cholesterol. A study in the 2002 issue of "Annual Review of Nutrition" explains that phytosterols actually compete for absorption with cholesterol in the digestive tract 2. While they prevent the absorption of regular dietary cholesterol, they themselves are not easily absorbed, which leads to a total lower cholesterol level. The cholesterol-lowering benefit does not end with a good number on your blood work report. Having lower cholesterol leads to other benefits, such as a reduced risk for heart disease, stroke and heart attacks.
- The most well-known, and scientifically proven, benefit of phytosterols is their ability to help lower cholesterol 2.
- While they prevent the absorption of regular dietary cholesterol, they themselves are not easily absorbed, which leads to a total lower cholesterol level.
Cancer Protection Benefits
Retinol and Skin Cancer
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Phytosterols have also been found to help protect against the development of cancer 3. The July 2009 issue of the" European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" offers encouraging news in the fight against cancer 3. Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada report that there is evidence that phytosterols help prevent ovarian, breast, stomach and lung cancer. Phytosterols do this by preventing the production of cancer cells, stopping the growth and spread of cells that are already in existence and actually encouraging the death of cancer cells. Their high anti-oxidant levels are believed to be one way phytosterols help fight cancer. An anti-oxidant is a compound that fights free radical damage, which is negative effects on the body produced by cells that are unhealthy.
- Phytosterols have also been found to help protect against the development of cancer 3.
Skin Protection Benefits
A lesser known benefit of phytosterols involves skin care. One of the contributing factors in the aging of the skin is the breakdown and loss of collagen -- the main component in connective skin tissue -- and sun exposure is a major contributor to the problem. As the body ages, it is not able to produce collagen as it once did. The German medical journal "Der Hautarzt" reports a study in which various topical preparations were tested on skin for 10 days. The topical treatment that showed anti-aging benefits to the skin was the one that contained phytosterols and other natural fats. It is reported that phytosterols not only stopped the slow-down of collagen production that can be caused by the sun, it actually encouraged new collagen production.
- A lesser known benefit of phytosterols involves skin care.
- The topical treatment that showed anti-aging benefits to the skin was the one that contained phytosterols and other natural fats.
Related Articles
References
- Progress in Lipid Research: Phytosterols, Phytostanols, and Their Conjugates in Foods: Structural Diversity, Quantitative Analysis, and Health-Promoting Uses
- Annual Review of Nutrition: Phytosterols and cholesterol
- Europen Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Phytosterols and cancer
- Der Hautarzt: Topical Application of Vitamins, Phytosterols and Ceramides -- Protection Against Increased Expression of Interstital Collagenase and Reduced Collagen-I Expression After Single Exposure to UVA Irradiation
- Gylling H, Simonen P. Phytosterols, phytosterols, and lipoprotein metabolism. Nutrients. 2015;7:7965-7977.
- Ostlund RE Jr. Phytosterols, cholesterol absorption and healthy diets. Lipids. 2007;42(1);41-45.
- Pinedo S, Vissers MN, Von Bergmann K, et al. Plasma levels of plant sterols and the risk of coronary artery disease: the prospective EPIC-Norfolk Population Study. J Lipid Res. 2007;48:139-144.
- Saji J, Sorokin AV, Thompson PD. Phytosterols and vascular disease. Curr Opin Lipidol. 2007;18(1):35-40.
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Writer Bio
A certified nutritionist who majored in health, fitness and nutrition, Traci Vandermark has been writing articles in her specialty fields since 1998. Her articles have appeared both online and in print for publications such as Simple Abundance, "Catskill Country Magazine," "Birds and Blooms," "Cappers" and "Country Discoveries."