Variations in dietary intake and plasma concentrations of plant sterols across plant‐based diets among North American adults

Abstract

Scope Phytosterols are bioactive compounds in plants with similar cholesterol-lowering properties as vegetarian diets. However, information on phytosterol intake and plasma plant sterols among vegetarians is sparse. Methods and results We examined dietary intake and plasma concentration of plant sterols and cholesterol across five dietary patterns in the Adventist Health Study-2 Calibration Sub-study (n=861, 66% females, average age 61 y). To measure intake and plasma concentration of these compounds, we used 24-hour dietary recalls and gas-liquid chromatography-flame ionization detection, respectively. Mean (SD) total phytosterol and cholesterol intake were 363 (176) mg/d and 131 (111) mg/d; plasma β-sitosterol, campesterol, and cholesterol were 3.3 (1.7) μg/mL, 4.2 (2.3) μg/mL, and 1.9 (0.4) mg/mL, respectively. Total phytosterol intake was lowest among non-vegetarians (263 mg/d) and highest among vegans (428 mg/d) (P < 0.0001). Cholesterol intake was lowest among vegans (15.2 mg/d) and highest among non-vegetarians (124.6 mg/d) (P < 0.0001). Plasma plant sterols and cholesterol did not differ by diet. Cholesterol-adjusted plasma β-sitosterol and campesterol were significantly higher in Blacks than Whites, though no ethnic differences were observed in dietary intake of these plant sterols. Conclusion Dietary intake but not plasma concentration of plant sterols and cholesterol varies across distinct plant-based diets.

Associations between usual food intake and faecal sterols and bile acids: results from the Cooperative Health Research in the Augsburg Region (KORA FF4) study

“…In addition, an alteration in the intestinal cholesterol absorption by consuming 0•7-0•9 g/plant sterols per d was observed (35) . However, the daily intake of plant sterols following a regular diet ranges between 160 and 400 mg/d (34) , which is lower than the required concentration to achieve a higher excretion rate of sterols in faeces (26) .…”

“…In the long-term, however, it is not clear whether a diet relatively high in plant sterols is associated with lower faecal animal sterols. Jaceldo-Siegl et al (34) examined dietary intake and plasma concentration of plant sterols and cholesterol across five different dietary patterns. Dietary phytosterols were highest in the diet of vegan subjects and lowest among non-vegetarians, whereas total cholesterol consumption was highest among non-vegetarians and lowest in vegans.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, the present study provides, for the first time, data on the association between habitual food intake and faecal concentration of animal sterols, phytosterols and bile acids in a cross-sectional study applying metabolomics techniques. Several studies measured animal and plant sterols in blood and faecal samples (26,33) or plasma only (34) . Some studies examined faecal samples only in (short-to medium-term) intervention studies (1,25,26,33) .…”

Cholesterol Absorption and Synthesis in Vegetarians and Omnivores

“…For example, a recent study by Jaceldo‐Siegl et al. published data on plasma cholesterol levels in 861 North American adults consuming five diets varying strongly in cholesterol intake . Vegans had, on average, an eightfold lower cholesterol intake but similar plasma cholesterol levels.…”

Bitkisel Sterollerin/Stanollerin Aterosklerotik Süreç ve Kardiyovasküler Hastalıklar Üzerine Etkisi

“…Akdeniz diyeti tarzı beslenme şekli ile en az 370-555 mg/gün bitkisel sterol alınabildiği bilinmektedir 23. Amerika' da ise toplam bitkisel sterol alımının vejetaryen olmayanlarda 263 mg/gün, veganlarda ise 428 mg/gün olduğu görülmüştür 24.…”