Plant sterol consumption frequency affects plasma lipid levels and cholesterol kinetics in humans

Abstract

Background/Objectives: To compare the efficacy of single versus multiple doses of plant sterols on circulating lipid level and cholesterol trafficking. Subjects/Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled, three-phase (6 days/phase) crossover, supervised feeding trial was conducted in 19 subjects. Subjects were provided (i) control margarine with each meal; (ii) 1.8 g/day plant sterols in margarine with breakfast (single-BF) and control margarine with lunch and supper or (iii) 1.8 g/day plant sterols in margarine divided equally at each of the three daily meals (three times per day). Results: Relative to control, end point plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were lower (Po0.05) after consuming plant sterols three times per day but were not different when consumed once per day (3.43±0.62, 3.22±0.58 and 3.30 ± 0.65 mmol/l, control, three times per day and single-BF, respectively). Relative to the control, end point LDL level was 0.21±0.27 mmol/l (6%) lower (Po0.05) at the end of the three times per day phase. Cholesterol fractional synthesis rate was highest (Po0.05) after the three times per day phase (0.0827 ± 0.0278, 0.0834 ± 0.0245 and 0.0913 ± 0.0221 pool/day, control, single-BF and three times per day, respectively). Cholesterol-absorption efficiency decreased (Po0.05) by 36 and 39% after the three times per day and single-BF phase, respectively, relative to control. Conclusions: Present data indicate that to obtain optimal cholesterol-lowering impact, plant sterols should be consumed as smaller doses given more often, rather than one large dose.

Cholesterol-lowering phytosterols: factors affecting their use and efficacy

“…87 Meta-analysis of these and other studies suggests that an increase in dose frequency is associated with larger decreases in LDL cholesterol.…”

Cholesterol-lowering effect of plant sterols

“…Cholesterol absorption is a gradual process, as the ingested dietary cholesterol is secreted by the small intestine in chylomicrons that enter into the circulation during three or more subsequent postprandial periods in humans [21]. Thus, results from studies by AbuMweis et al [17,19] suggest that plant sterols are not retained in the intestinal lumen or enterocytes. In contrast, results from Plat et al [16] and Matvienko et al [18] suggest that reduction of cholesterol absorption by plant sterols can take place over a more prolonged time span rather than directly after specifi c meals.…”

“…The study by AbuMweis et al [19] showed that the consumption of 1.8 g/d of plant sterols distributed over the course of the day for 5 days lowered LDL-C by 0.21 mmol/L, whereas the consumption of the same dose once a day with breakfast did not lower LDL-C levels. The cholesterol fractional synthesis rate increased when plant sterols were consumed with each of the three daily meals.…”

“…A recent study further investigated the effi cacy of plant sterols consumed throughout the day or once a day in the morning on plasma LDL-C levels and cholesterol kinetics [19]. The study by AbuMweis et al [19] showed that the consumption of 1.8 g/d of plant sterols distributed over the course of the day for 5 days lowered LDL-C by 0.21 mmol/L, whereas the consumption of the same dose once a day with breakfast did not lower LDL-C levels.…”

Plant sterols: Friend or foe in CNS disorders?

“…respectively [2,3]. Interestingly, while the daily intake of cholesterol approaches that of phytosterols, plasma levels of plant sterols (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24) lmol/L) and stanols (0.05-0.3 lmol/L) are markedly lower than those of cholesterol ($5 mmol/L) [4,5]. In the jejunum, both phytosterols and cholesterol are incorporated into mixed micelles and are subsequently absorbed at the apical site of enterocytes via the Niemann Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) transporter [6].…”