Serum Cholesterol Reduction Efficacy of Biscuits with Added Plant Stanol Ester

Abstract

This study's aim was to test the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol- (LDL-c-) lowering efficacy of biscuits containing 2 g of plant stanols, which corresponded to 3.4 g of plant stanol esters. The biscuit is a new food format that can be consumed as a snack. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel design study, 119 mildly to moderately hypercholesterolemic volunteers were randomized to plant stanol or control groups. Subjects were comparable in age, gender, lipid profiles, and body mass index. They consumed a control biscuit once a day for a two-week period, followed by a four-week intervention period that either had a plant stanol ester biscuit or a control. During the habitual diet, one biscuit per day was consumed at any time that subjects wished. Serum lipid profiles were measured at the first day of run-in, at baseline, and at the study's end. Compared to the control, the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-c, and the LDL-to-high-density lipoprotein (LDL/HDL) ratio had serum reductions of 4.9%, 6.1%, and 4.3%, respectively, and were observed after 4 weeks of biscuit consumption with added plant stanols (P < 0.05). A significantly higher reduction in LDL-c (8.9%) and LDL/HDL ratio (11.4%) was measured in those taking a plant stanol biscuit with a meal compared to those who consumed a plant stanol biscuit without other food. In conclusion, incorporating plant stanols into a biscuit is an attractive, convenient, and acceptable way to modestly lower elevated cholesterol concentrations. For optimal efficacy, biscuits should be consumed with a meal as part of a healthy diet.

Cholesterol lowering efficacy of plant stanol ester in a new type of product matrix, a chewable dietary supplement

“…The supplement was consumed as part of a meal to ensure effective hydrolysis of the plant stanol esters. Two recent studies demonstrate the importance of consuming plant stanol or plant sterol esters even in solid food as biscuits or as a large single yoghurt drink of 100 g with a meal (Doornbos, Meynen, Duchateau, van der Knaap, & Trautwein, 2006;Kriengsinyos, Wangtong, & Komindr, 2015). When plant stanol ester biscuits were consumed in-between meals, LDL cholesterol concentration was practically unchanged, whereas when consumed with a meal, LDL cholesterol concentration was significantly reduced compared to controls (Kriengsinyos, Wangtong, & Komindr, 2015).…”

“…Two recent studies demonstrate the importance of consuming plant stanol or plant sterol esters even in solid food as biscuits or as a large single yoghurt drink of 100 g with a meal (Doornbos, Meynen, Duchateau, van der Knaap, & Trautwein, 2006;Kriengsinyos, Wangtong, & Komindr, 2015). When plant stanol ester biscuits were consumed in-between meals, LDL cholesterol concentration was practically unchanged, whereas when consumed with a meal, LDL cholesterol concentration was significantly reduced compared to controls (Kriengsinyos, Wangtong, & Komindr, 2015). The yoghurt drink lowered LDL cholesterol concentration when taken without meal, but the effect was significantly weaker compared to the same dose consumed with a meal (Doornbos et al, 2006).…”

Optimal Use of Plant Stanol Ester in the Management of Hypercholesterolemia

“…For optimum efficacy, it is important to consume foods and food supplements with added plant stanol ester with daily meals [ 25 , 48 , 49 ]. This is due to the mechanism of action of plant stanol ester, where plant stanols partly replace cholesterol in mixed micelles which are formed in the digestive tract.…”

Functional food addressing heart health

“…Undoubtedly, many nutritional interventions that directly target host lipid metabolism (often without significantly affecting the microbiota -such as phytosterols [11][12][13][14], polyphenols [15], and v-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) [16]) have important functional foods applications targeting health. However, we cannot ignore the vast population of intestinal microbiota and the diverse array of genes that they express, upon which we rely.…”