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Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the world, and dyslipidemia is one of the important causes of cardiovascular disease. In order to lower lipids, many people often choose to eat fungus, but recent studies have found that the more effective blood lipid "scavenger" than fungus is actually phytosterols.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the health benefits, chemical composition and sources, lipid-lowering mechanisms, and research data to support them, as well as the precautions for their use.
Health benefits of phytosterols
Phytosterols are a class of natural compounds found in plants that have significant lipid-lowering effects due to their structure similar to cholesterol.
Studies have shown that phytosterols are able to reduce blood levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine. These effects make phytosterols an important option for managing hypercholesterolemia.
Phytosterol-rich soy milk, yogurt and fruit bars significantly reduced serum TC and LDL-C levels by 8.7% and 12.6%, respectively. The use of phytosterols in the daily diet is of great significance for lowering cholesterol levels.
Chemical composition and sources of plant sterols
Plant sterols include sitosterol, stigmasterol, and canola sterols, among others, and are mainly found in vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Since the body cannot synthesize phytosterols, they must be consumed through the diet.
The structure of phytosterols is similar to that of cholesterol, but different chemical groups are present on the side chains, which allows them to effectively interfere with the metabolism of cholesterol and reduce blood lipids.
Phytosterols cannot be synthesized by the body itself and must be obtained from the diet. They are mainly found in vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts, fruits, and vegetables.
Since these foods are widely found in a healthy diet, it is not difficult to get enough phytosterols. In order to achieve a significant lipid-lowering effect, phytosterols are also specially added to many foods to ensure a daily intake of about 2 grams.
Lipid-lowering mechanism of phytosterols
Phytosterols reduce cholesterol levels by competitively inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. During digestion, cholesterol dissolves under the action of bile acids, forming mixed micelles, which are then absorbed by the epithelial cells of the small intestine.
Phytosterols reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed by competing with cholesterol for the absorption site of the NPC1L1 protein, thereby reducing serum cholesterol levels.
The specific mechanism is as follows: after entering the intestine, phytosterols compete with cholesterol for absorption by the Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) protein. Plant sterols and cholesterol that enter the epithelial cells of the small intestine are esterified by acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase 2 (ACAT2), and the unabsorbed fractions are excreted in the feces.
Application and precautions of phytosterols
Based on a large number of research data, phytosterols are widely used in various foods and health supplements as a non-pharmacological treatment to help manage hypercholesterolemia and prevent cardiovascular disease. For example, many low-fat yogurts, vegetable oils, and nutrition bars are fortified with phytosterols to help consumers manage their blood lipid levels through their daily diet.
Although phytosterols have shown significant effectiveness in lowering blood lipids, they are not suitable for everyone. The study found that there were significant differences in the response of different individuals to phytosterols.
Studies have shown that individuals with high basal cholesterol synthesis rates have a poor lipid-lowering effect on phytosterols. In addition, a high intake of phytosterols can lead to a rare disease called phytosterolemia.
This is a disease caused by mutations in the ABCG5 or ABCG8 genes, which cause abnormally high levels of phytosterols in the body, which can lead to serious cardiovascular disease.
Therefore, when using phytosterols, consumers should consult the advice of a professional physician or nutritionist according to their own situation to ensure the safe and effective use of the lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols.
For individuals who respond poorly to phytosterols, other lipid-lowering methods, such as increasing dietary fiber intake or using statins, may be considered. As a natural lipid-lowering substance, phytosterols are of great significance in blood lipid management and cardiovascular disease prevention.
Scientific and reasonable intake of phytosterols. It can effectively reduce serum cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. However, the use of phytosterols should be mindful of individual differences and should be done under the guidance of a professional physician to ensure that they are safe and effective.
Finally, what experiences and insights would you like to share? Feel free to leave a message in the comment area!
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Chen, Y., She, Y., Kaur, R., Guo, N., Zhang, X., Zhang, R., & Gou, X. (2019). Is Plant Sterols a Good Strategy to Lower Cholesterol? Journal of Oleo Science, 68(9), 811-816. https://doi.org/10.5650/jos.ess19116