Use Plant Sterols for Cholesterol Management

chezfat | Dec 6, 2009 |

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Plant Sterols & Cholesterol Management

Using plant sterols to help manage blood cholesterol levels is a technique that many people do not realize is available. If for instance you do know about plant sterols and their affects on blood cholesterol it may be unlikely that you understand why they help and what you can do to aid in the process. Occasionally you will see products labeled in the store saying that they contain plant sterols and they help in lowering cholesterol levels these products work due to the sterols but what you may not know is that you can get these sterols in natural occurring potency as well if you know where to look.

Plant Sterols

Plant sterols work to lower cholesterol levels by making cholesterols less bioavailable in the intestines. In other words when plant sterols are included in a meal the cholesterols in that meal are more difficult for the body to absorb. As a result more of the cholesterols you eat pass through your system maintaining lower LDL cholesterol levels. As a result a classic stethoscope will reveal better blood flow in the arteries. This makes using plant sterols an effective tool in the fight against plaque build up in the arteries and arterial disease and a center piece for any LDL cholesterol diet.

What kinds of products contain plant sterols then? Many products are fortified with plant sterols such as butter substitute spreads and juices among many others. Plant sterols also are naturally found in various oils such as corn and soybean oil. This may be what many diets containing large quantities of soybean foods have lower levels of heart disease. The most potent source of naturally occurring plant sterols however is sea buckthorn oil coming from the seeds of the sea buckthorn fruit. Ironically the sea buckthorn oil has been used for many anti-aging products including skin care and acne treatment in addition to it's potency of plant sterols. This fruit is tough to find however and thus plant sterol supplementation and food additives are the best sources.

If however you are squarely against the idea of eating foods with plant sterol additives then you can also look to various cereals and legumes for more naturally occurring plant sterols. Foods such as oat bran, whole wheat, brown rice, peas, beans, and lentils all have decent plant sterol potency and all of these foods can easily be combined into most meals to effectively lower and maintain healthy cholesterol levels with your diet.

Cholesterol Management

Cholesterol management is very important for longevity and your long-term cardiovascular health. Making sure you get enough plant sterols with your meals, in addition to the many additional methods of lowering cholesterol levels including diet, exercise, and medicine will help ensure you have a higher life expectancy rate with less medical problems. Look into your diet and see if you are missing plant sterols. If so, make the change today to increase your health for the long-term.