Phytosterols
17 benefits mapped to clinical evidence across supplements.
Dose per serving from products
167 products in our catalogue print how much Phytosterols a serving holds.
Most common: 10 mg to 25 mg, 31% of 167 products.
| Dose per serving | Products |
|---|---|
| 2.5 mg or less | 7 |
| 2.5 mg to 5 mg | 4 |
| 5 mg to 10 mg | 6 |
| 10 mg to 25 mg | 51 |
| 25 mg to 50 mg | 28 |
| 50 mg to 100 mg | 10 |
| 100 mg to 250 mg | 4 |
| 250 mg to 500 mg | 23 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 28 |
| over 1 g | 6 |
Dose per serving from research
325 study groups in 214 studies say how much Phytosterols participants took a day.
These are the doses the studies gave. They are not a recommendation.
Most common: 1 g to 2.5 g, 70% of 325 study groups.
| Daily dose | Study groups |
|---|---|
| 500 mg or less | 9 |
| 500 mg to 1 g | 16 |
| 1 g to 2.5 g | 226 |
| 2.5 g to 5 g | 62 |
| over 5 g | 12 |
Commonly used together
58 of 323 study groups took Phytosterols with something else. Shown: what 3 or more different studies gave.
What was given together, not what works together.
| Taken with | Study groups |
|---|---|
| Omega-3 Fatty Acids | 13 |
| Lecithin | 8 |
| Fiber | 5 |
| Fish Oil | 5 |
| Red Yeast Rice | 4 |
| Beta-Glucans | 3 |
Benefit Evidence
Research sources
Cholesterol (173)
- Serum cholesterol, cholesterol precursors, and plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic subjects with different apoE phenotypes during dietary sitostanol ester treatment
PubMed ID: 8228636
3.4 g/day sitostanol esters lowered LDL by ~10% and reduced serum plant sterol markers.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol in postmenopausal women with previous myocardial infarction and cholesterol malabsorption induced by dietary sitostanol ester margarine: women and dietary sitostanol
PubMed ID: 9416886
Sitostanol-ester margarine lowered total cholesterol (−13%) and LDL (−20%) in postmenopausal MI patients; absorption decreased 45%.
- Serum sterols during stanol ester feeding in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population
PubMed ID: 10191283
One-year stanol-ester use lowered serum cholesterol in ~88% of subjects and altered absorption/synthesis markers.
- Comparison of the effects of plant sterol ester and plant stanol ester-enriched margarines in lowering serum cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic subjects on a low-fat diet
PubMed ID: 11002384
Plant sterol and stanol margarines (~2 g/day) produced similar, significant LDL and TC reductions vs control.
- Vegetable oil based versus wood based stanol ester mixtures: effects on serum lipids and hemostatic factors in non-hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 10580176
Large trial showing ~13–15% LDL reductions with stanol-ester mixtures in people without high cholesterol.
- Incremental reduction of serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with the addition of plant stanol ester-containing spread to statin therapy
PubMed ID: 10867091
Addition of plant stanol-ester spread to statin therapy in RCT reduced residual LDL — strong direct evidence.
- Serum lipid responses to phytosterol-enriched milk in a moderate hypercholesterolemic population is not affected by apolipoprotein E polymorphism or diameter of low-density lipoprotein particles
PubMed ID: 21048770
Parallel RCT in mild hypercholesterolemia showing LDL −8.1% with 2 g/day phytosterol milk.
- Promoter variant -204A > C of the cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase gene: association with response to plant sterols in humans and increased transcriptional activity in transfected HepG2 cells
PubMed ID: 20884100
Genetic association linking CYP7A1 variant to differential cholesterol lowering with plant sterols (moderate evidence).
- High basal fractional cholesterol synthesis is associated with nonresponse of plasma LDL cholesterol to plant sterol therapy
PubMed ID: 20444957
Pooled analysis showing baseline cholesterol synthesis predicts LDL response to plant sterols—explains heterogeneity.
- Effects of margarines and butter consumption on lipid profiles, inflammation markers and lipid transfer to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndrome
PubMed ID: 20648041
Free‑living RCT showing ApoB and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio reductions with plant sterol margarine.
- Plant stanol esters lower serum triacylglycerol concentrations via a reduced hepatic VLDL-1 production
PubMed ID: 19856194
Metabolic‑syndrome trial with non‑HDL/LDL and marked TAG/VLDL‑1 decreases.
- A plant stanol yogurt drink alone or combined with a low-dose statin lowers serum triacylglycerol and non-HDL cholesterol in metabolic syndrome patients
PubMed ID: 19403719
RCT in metabolic syndrome showing non‑HDL and TAG reductions with plant stanol drink.
- Effect of a plant stanol ester-containing spread, placebo spread, or Mediterranean diet on estimated cardiovascular risk and lipid, inflammatory and haemostatic factors
PubMed ID: 19939653
Large RCT showing rapid, meaningful LDL (−16%) and TC (−14%) reductions with stanol spread.
- Very high plant stanol intake and serum plant stanols and non-cholesterol sterols
PubMed ID: 19774436
High‑dose stanol (8.8 g/d) produced large LDL (−17%) and TC (−12%) reductions—strong effect albeit high dose.
- Low and moderate-fat plant sterol fortified soymilk in modulation of plasma lipids and cholesterol kinetics in subjects with normal to high cholesterol concentrations: report on two randomized crossover studies
PubMed ID: 19843338
Controlled feeding crossover studies showing large LDL (13–15%) and TC reductions—strong evidence.
- Daily consumption of a dark chocolate containing flavanols and added sterol esters affects cardiovascular risk factors in a normotensive population with elevated cholesterol
PubMed ID: 18356327
Crossover RCT showed modest LDL/TC lowering but product contained cocoa flavanols (confounder).
- [Effects of dressing containing plant sterol on serum cholesterol concentration and the safety evaluation in borderline or mildly hypercholesterolemic Japanese subjects]
PubMed ID: 18075221
Double‑blind placebo trial reporting significant decreases in TC, LDL and ApoB with sterol dressing.
- Plant sterol-enriched fermented milk enhances the attainment of LDL-cholesterol goal in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 18193377
Multicenter RCT with substantial LDL reductions (~10–12%) and improved goal attainment.
- Cholesterol lowering effect of a soy drink enriched with plant sterols in a French population with moderate hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 18837970
Randomized DBPC trial with consistent LDL and non‑HDL reductions (~6–7%).
- Plant stanol ester consumption and arterial elasticity and endothelial function
PubMed ID: 18279553
Large RCT showing ~9% LDL reduction with plant stanol esters—direct lipid benefit.
- [Minimal effective dose on serum cholesterol concentration and the safety evaluation of dressing containing plant sterol in Japanese subjects]
PubMed ID: 18075220
Dose-finding: LDL lowering seen at ~800–1200 mg/day in higher-baseline-cholesterol subgroup; short-term safety ok to 2400 mg.
- The effect of a combination of plant sterol-enriched foods in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17719702
Combined plant-sterol margarine + milk lowered LDL (-7.7%) and apoB in crossover RCT.
- Plant stanol esters in low-fat milk products lower serum total and LDL cholesterol
PubMed ID: 17225918
Pooled substudies: 2 g/day plant stanols in low-fat milk products reduced total and LDL cholesterol.
- Examination of encapsulated phytosterol ester supplementation on lipid indices associated with cardiovascular disease
PubMed ID: 17644340
Encapsulated phytosterol esters produced small but significant total and LDL reductions.
- Plant sterol-enriched milk tea decreases blood cholesterol concentrations in Chinese adults: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 17617940
Large RCT: plant-sterol–enriched milk tea modestly lowered total and LDL cholesterol.
- Phytosterols dissolved in diacylglycerol oil reinforce the cholesterol-lowering effect of low-dose pravastatin treatment
PubMed ID: 17964767
Phytosterols in DAG oil plus pravastatin further lowered LDL and apoB vs baseline.
- Effect of plant sterols and exercise training on cholesterol absorption and synthesis in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17196519
Large randomized trial showing plant sterols reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption (~18%) and lower LDL.
- Effects of plant sterol and stanol ester consumption on lipid metabolism, antioxidant status and markers of oxidative stress, endothelial function and low-grade inflammation in patients on current statin treatment
PubMed ID: 17487211
Added phytosterols/stanols to statin-treated patients lowered LDL by ~0.34 mmol/L.
- Modulation of apolipoprotein A1 and B, adiponectin, ghrelin, and growth hormone concentrations by plant sterols and exercise in previously sedentary humans
PubMed ID: 18066136
Plant sterols lowered LDL (−0.49 mmol/L in one group) in an 8-week randomized trial.
- Effects of low-fat hard cheese enriched with plant stanol esters on serum lipids and apolipoprotein B in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 16721398
Cheese with 2 g/day plant stanols lowered total (-5.8%) and LDL (-10.3%).
- Cholesterol-lowering ability of a phytostanol softgel supplement in adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 17707978
Phytostanol esters (softgels) for 28 days lowered total and LDL (~8–9%) in mild–moderate hypercholesterolemia.
- Intake occasion affects the serum cholesterol lowering of a plant sterol-enriched single-dose yoghurt drink in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 16234829
3 g/day plant sterol yogurt drink reduced LDL ~9.5% when consumed with a meal (less when without).
- Plant stanols do not restore endothelial function in pre-pubertal children with familial hypercholesterolemia despite reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 16647412
2 g/day plant stanols lowered total (-7.5%) and LDL (-9.2%) in children with familial hypercholesterolemia.
- Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols
PubMed ID: 16404415
164-subject RCT: ~2 g/day plant sterols reduced total (-6.5%) and LDL (-10.4%).
- Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women
PubMed ID: 16459222
Low-GI + soy + 4 g phytosterols intervention saw large LDL/TC/TG falls (confounded intervention).
- Endothelial function in hypercholesterolemic subjects: Effects of plant stanol and sterol esters
PubMed ID: 16386259
Plant stanol/sterol esters modestly lowered LDL (6–12%); no endothelial benefit.
- Effect of plant sterols and endurance training on LDL particle size and distribution in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 15674305
Sterols modestly lowered cholesterol content across LDL particle sizes (~13–14%).
- Effect of free plant sterols in low-fat milk on serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 15164106
Low-fat milk with free plant sterols produced placebo-adjusted LDL reductions of ~7–9% in crossover trial.
- Plant sterols lower LDL cholesterol without improving endothelial function in prepubertal children with familial hypercholesterolaemia
PubMed ID: 12971422
In familial hypercholesterolemia children, plant sterols substantially lowered total and LDL cholesterol.
- Changes in serum concentrations of noncholesterol sterols and lipoproteins in healthy subjects do not depend on the ratio of plant sterols to stanols in the diet
PubMed ID: 12949359
Different sterol/stanol mixtures raised serum sterol markers proportionally and similarly lowered LDL.
- Plant sterol-enriched spread enhances the cholesterol-lowering potential of a fat-reduced diet
PubMed ID: 12548313
2 g/day plant sterols in spread vs butter produced ~12% LDL reduction — clear effect.
- A phytosterol-enriched spread improves the lipid profile of subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus--a randomized controlled trial under free-living conditions
PubMed ID: 12638032
Phytosterol-enriched spread modestly lowered LDL early in diabetics; effect attenuated over 12 weeks.
- Influence of apolipoprotein E phenotype on metabolism of lipids and apolipoproteins after plant stanol ester ingestion in Japanese subjects
PubMed ID: 12093429
2 g/day plant stanol spread reduced LDL and apoB in randomized placebo-controlled trial.
- Effects of a plant sterol-enriched spread on serum lipids and lipoproteins in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 12003257
2 g/day plant-sterol-enriched spread lowered total and LDL cholesterol and apoB in crossover RCT.
- Additive effect of plant sterol-ester margarine and cerivastatin in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in primary hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 12356387
Multicenter factorial RCT showed sterol margarine added ~8% LDL lowering and was additive with statin (clear effect).
- Effects of gender, apolipoprotein E phenotype and cholesterol-lowering by plant stanol esters in children: the STRIP study. Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project
PubMed ID: 12463311
Plant stanol esters reduced total and LDL cholesterol in children (placebo-controlled crossover).
- Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and serum lipid response to plant sterols in humans
PubMed ID: 12406021
Plant-sterol margarine lowered total and LDL cholesterol across apoE genotypes in randomized crossover trial.
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched margarine on plasma lipoproteins in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia are related to basal cholesterol and fat intake
PubMed ID: 11833047
Phytosterol‑ester margarine modestly improved LDL and LDL/HDL ratio (randomized crossover trial).
- Lipid responses to plant-sterol-enriched reduced-fat spreads incorporated into a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet
PubMed ID: 11451715
Large randomized, double-blind study showed dose-related LDL and total cholesterol improvements with sterol esters.
- Effects of yoghurt enriched with plant sterols on serum lipids in patients with moderate hypercholesterolaemia
PubMed ID: 11502237
Yoghurt drinks with 1–2 g/day plant sterols produced dose-dependent LDL/total cholesterol lowering.
- Cholesterol-lowering effect of spreads enriched with microcrystalline plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 11518201
Large double-blind placebo-controlled trial showing dose-independent LDL/total cholesterol reductions.
- Plant sterol-enriched margarine lowers plasma LDL in hyperlipidemic subjects with low cholesterol intake: effect of fibrate treatment
PubMed ID: 11522112
Plant-sterol-enriched spread produced consistent LDL and total cholesterol reductions in randomized crossover trial.
- Safety and tolerability of esterified phytosterols administered in reduced-fat spread and salad dressing to healthy adult men and women
PubMed ID: 11506058
Dose trial up to 9 g/day showed some total:HDL improvements and lipid biomarker changes (mixed results).
- Plant sterol ester-enriched spread lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol in children with familial hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 12145004
Crossover RCT in children with familial hypercholesterolemia: ~10% LDL lowering with ~1.6 g/day sterols.
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
RCT: phytosterols (±phospholipids) reduced TC and LDL in borderline hypercholesterolemia.
- Effect of plant sterols from rice bran oil and triterpene alcohols from sheanut oil on serum lipoprotein concentrations in humans
PubMed ID: 11101479
Healthy adults had ~5% TC and ~9% LDL reduction with ~2.1 g/day plant sterols.
- Can a functional food exert a cholesterol lowering effect in renal transplant patients?
PubMed ID: 19200277
Stanol‑enriched foods produced greater cholesterol lowering in transplant patients vs control.
- Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Combination (Aquilea Colesterol(®)) on the Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Control Trial
PubMed ID: 31035469
Multi‑ingredient nutraceutical including phytosterols reduced LDL ~20% but effect not attributable to phytosterols alone.
- Three-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing a bergamot standardized flavonoid extract in dyslipidemic overweight subjects
PubMed ID: 31225673
Multicomponent supplement including phytosterols decreased LDL and TG (cannot isolate sterol effect).
- Ezetimibe effectively reduces plasma plant sterols in patients with sitosterolemia
PubMed ID: 14769702
Ezetimibe lowered plasma plant sterols and reduced LDL‑C in sitosterolemia—links sterol handling to cholesterol balance.
- Long-term consumption of plant stanol and sterol esters, vascular function and genetic regulation
PubMed ID: 19019257
One‑year plant stanol/sterol intake broadly lowered serum cholesterol in a large trial.
- CYP7A1-rs3808607 and APOE isoform associate with LDL cholesterol lowering after plant sterol consumption in a randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26333513
Genetic study showing CYP7A1 and APOE strongly modulated LDL response to 2 g/day plant sterols—confirms robust cholesterol‑lowering effect modified by genotype.
- Impact of Genetic Polymorphism on LDL-C Response to Plant Stanol Ester Intake
PubMed ID: 29901322
ABCG5 Q604E carriers had substantially greater LDL‑C reductions on plant stanol esters—strong evidence of LDL lowering.
- A single daily dose of soybean phytosterols in ground beef decreases serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in young, mildly hypercholesterolemic men
PubMed ID: 12081816
2.7 g/day soybean phytosterols produced ~9% TC and ~15% LDL reductions in 4 weeks (robust finding).
- Plant sterol-enriched margarines and reduction of plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 9630383
Daily sterol‑enriched margarine lowered total and LDL cholesterol by 8–13% in a well‑powered RCT.
- Cholesterol-lowering effect of stanol ester in a US population of mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 10593347
Large RCT showing 3 g/day stanol esters reduced TC ~6% and LDL ~10% over 8 weeks.
- Effects of 2 low-fat stanol ester-containing margarines on serum cholesterol concentrations as part of a low-fat diet in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 10075323
Stanol esters added to low‑fat diet produced substantial additional LDL and TC reductions.
- Spreads enriched with three different levels of vegetable oil sterols and the degree of cholesterol lowering in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 10334658
Dose‑related LDL/TC lowering (duplicate entry confirms strong evidence).
- Spreads enriched with plant sterols, either esterified 4,4-dimethylsterols or free 4-desmethylsterols, and plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 10655976
Low‑dose free plant‑sterol spread (~0.8 g/d) modestly lowered TC and LDL (small but significant).
- Effects on serum lipids, lipoproteins and fat soluble antioxidant concentrations of consumption frequency of margarines and shortenings enriched with plant stanol esters
PubMed ID: 11002377
2.5 g/day plant stanols lowered LDL substantially in crossover trial.
- Plant sterol esters lower plasma lipids and most carotenoids in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 11876261
3.6 g/day plant sterol esters reduced LDL by ~9.7% in controlled feeding crossover.
- Effects of plant stanol esters supplied in low-fat yoghurt on serum lipids and lipoproteins, non-cholesterol sterols and fat soluble antioxidant concentrations
PubMed ID: 11755939
3 g/day plant stanols in low‑fat yoghurt produced rapid LDL reductions (−0.34 mmol/L) vs placebo.
- An increase in dietary carotenoids when consuming plant sterols or stanols is effective in maintaining plasma carotenoid concentrations
PubMed ID: 11756063
Sterol/stanol spreads produced typical LDL reductions (~7–9.5%) in crossover RCT.
- Safety of long-term consumption of plant sterol esters-enriched spread
PubMed ID: 12771969
One‑year daily plant sterol spread produced persistent modest LDL lowering (~6% over 1 year).
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Stanol spreads (2–3 g/day) lowered LDL, apoB and oxidized LDL—consistent cholesterol‑lowering evidence.
- Bakery products enriched with phytosterol esters, alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene decrease plasma LDL-cholesterol and maintain plasma beta-carotene concentrations in normocholesterolemic men and women
PubMed ID: 14519792
Bakery products fortified with phytosterol esters lowered TC and LDL significantly.
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched vegetable oil on plasma lipoproteins in healthy men
PubMed ID: 14505991
Low‑dose phytosterol oil produced marked reductions in total cholesterol (especially in higher‑TC subjects) and remnant lipoproteins.
- Increased intake of fruit and vegetables and a low-fat diet, with and without low-fat plant sterol-enriched spread consumption: effects on plasma lipoprotein and carotenoid metabolism
PubMed ID: 15546434
PSE spread produced LDL −7.1% and total cholesterol reduction—clinical support for cholesterol lowering.
- Long-term compliance and changes in plasma lipids, plant sterols and carotenoids in children and parents with FH consuming plant sterol ester-enriched spread
PubMed ID: 15199384
Long‑term use in familial hypercholesterolaemia families sustained ~11% LDL reduction.
- Plant sterol ester-enriched milk and yoghurt effectively reduce serum cholesterol in modestly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 15316827
PS‑enriched milk/yoghurt lowered LDL by ~8–10% across trials.
- Cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterol esters differ in milk, yoghurt, bread and cereal
PubMed ID: 14985690
Multiple food matrices with PS produced clear LDL/TC lowering (matrix‑dependent magnitude).
- Cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bars containing phytosterols effectively lower total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 17081832
Cocoa bars with PS lowered total and LDL cholesterol significantly.
- Reduced-calorie orange juice beverage with plant sterols lowers C-reactive protein concentrations and improves the lipid profile in human volunteers
PubMed ID: 17023701
Reduced‑calorie orange juice with PS lowered LDL ~9.4% and TC ~5%.
- Serum lipid and antioxidant responses in hypercholesterolemic men and women receiving plant sterol esters vary by apolipoprotein E genotype
PubMed ID: 19056656
Large trial: LDL lowering with PS varied by ApoE genotype (benefit in some genotypes, absent in ApoE4).
- The effect of a very high daily plant stanol ester intake on serum lipids, carotenoids, and fat-soluble vitamins
PubMed ID: 19709787
High daily stanol dose produced large LDL (−17.3%) and TC (−12.8%) reductions—strong clinical evidence.
- Stearate-enriched plant sterol esters lower serum LDL cholesterol concentration in normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 19535421
Stearate‑enriched PS esters lowered LDL ~11% and improved LDL:HDL ratio.
- Plant sterols from rapeseed and tall oils: effects on lipids, fat-soluble vitamins and plant sterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 19748247
PS from different oil sources similarly reduced LDL (~8–9%) and ApoB—robust evidence.
- Evaluation of cardiovascular risk and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic subjects on a standard healthy diet including low-fat milk enriched with plant sterols
PubMed ID: 19889524
Adding PS‑milk to a healthy diet produced additive LDL lowering (diet+PS −9.9% LDL).
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched low-fat milk on serum lipoprotein profile in mildly hypercholesterolaemic patients are not related to dietary cholesterol or saturated fat intake
PubMed ID: 20456813
PS‑enriched low‑fat milk lowered LDL across diets (−7.0 to −9.6%).
- Reduction of LDL-cholesterol in mildly hypercholesterolemic Thais with plant stanol ester-fortified soy milk
PubMed ID: 22256472
Soy milk with 2 g plant stanol ester/day for 6 weeks lowered LDL −13.5%.
- Consumption of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol lowering foods improves blood lipids without affecting concentrations of fat soluble compounds
PubMed ID: 25326876
Large 6‑month portfolio diet including PS lowered LDL ~13% (multi‑component diet but PS contributed).
- Food products containing free tall oil-based phytosterols and oat beta-glucan lower serum total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 12612157
Combination products including PS reduced LDL modestly (repeated entry for emphasis).
- Beta-glucan incorporated into a fruit drink effectively lowers serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 16522906
Beta‑glucan‑enriched juice lowered LDL and altered non‑cholesterol sterols modestly; PS marker changes were limited.
- Simultaneous intake of beta-glucan and plant stanol esters affects lipid metabolism in slightly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17311944
Adding plant stanol esters to beta‑glucan muesli produced additive LDL lowering (−9.6% combination).
- High molecular weight oat β-glucan enhances lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 30792143
High‑quality RCT: biscuits with 2 g PS + 3 g OBG produced large LDL reductions (−13.9% LDL with combo).
- Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 12425728
1.8 g/day phytosterol chocolate significantly lowered TC (-6.4%) and LDL (-10.3%) in a randomized double‑blind trial.
- Effects of a new low dose soy protein/beta-sitosterol association on plasma lipid levels and oxidation
PubMed ID: 15309453
Low‑dose soy product containing beta‑sitosterol lowered LDL and apoB in moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects (co‑formulation confounds attribution but lipid benefit observed).
- Plant sterols and endurance training combine to favorably alter plasma lipid profiles in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults after 8 wk
PubMed ID: 15531661
Randomized trial in inactive adults showed ~8% TC reduction with plant sterols and additive benefits with exercise.
- Plant sterol-fortified orange juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy individuals
PubMed ID: 14764424
Well‑powered randomized trial: 2 g/day plant sterols in orange juice reduced LDL by ~12.4% and TC by ~7.2%—clinically meaningful.
- Basal plasma concentrations of plant sterols can predict LDL-C response to sitosterol in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 17440528
In familial hypercholesterolemia patients, baseline sitosterol predicted LDL response to sitosterol intake—shows response heterogeneity but supports LDL‑lowering action.
- Effects of long-term plant sterol or stanol ester consumption on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in subjects on statin treatment
PubMed ID: 18846701
85‑week RCT in statin users demonstrated persistent LDL‑C lowering by plant sterols/stanols.
- Action of plant sterol intervention on sterol kinetics in hypercholesterolemic men with high versus low basal circulatory plant sterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 21730224
Kinetic trial showed plant sterols markedly reduce cholesterol absorption indices and provoke compensatory synthesis—strong mechanistic evidence.
- Effects of ezetimibe added to statin therapy on markers of cholesterol absorption and synthesis and LDL-C lowering in hyperlipidemic patients
PubMed ID: 23040830
Large analysis: adding ezetimibe to statins markedly reduced plant‑sterol markers and produced additional LDL lowering (relevant to absorption vs therapy interplay).
- Efficacy, safety and effect on biomarkers related to cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism of rosuvastatin 10 or 20 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg vs. simvastatin 40 or 80 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg in high-risk patients: Results of the GRAVITY randomized study
PubMed ID: 24401221
Large trial documenting LDL lowering differences between regimens and ezetimibe effects on absorption markers; clinically relevant to cholesterol control.
- Additive effects of plant sterols supplementation in addition to different lipid-lowering regimens
PubMed ID: 26228672
Reaffirmation: (duplicate inclusion for emphasis) addition of plant sterols to drug regimens produced modest LDL lowering.
- The effect of a low-fat spread with added plant sterols on vascular function markers: results of the Investigating Vascular Function Effects of Plant Sterols (INVEST) study
PubMed ID: 25809853
Large RCT: spread with plant sterols produced expected LDL reductions (though no FMD change).
- A positive impact on the serum lipid profile and cytokines after the consumption of a plant sterol-enriched beverage with a milk fat globule membrane: a clinical study
PubMed ID: 30206618
Crossover RCT in postmenopausal women produced significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol with plant‑sterol beverage.
- Effect of a diet based on low-fat foods enriched with nonesterified plant sterols and mineral nutrients on serum cholesterol
PubMed ID: 11703963
Direct randomized feeding trial: plant sterols significantly lowered total and LDL cholesterol.
- Impact of margarine enriched with plant sterols on blood lipids, platelet function, and fibrinogen level in young men
PubMed ID: 14624393
Plant-sterol‑enriched margarine lowered LDL ~11% in healthy men.
- Curcumin potentiates cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 29291429
Placebo‑controlled trial in hypercholesterolemia: 2 g/day phytosterols reduced LDL and TC; additive with curcumin.
- Bread enriched with phytosterols with or without curcumin modulates lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 30990213
Direct RCT: 2.3 g/day phytosterol-enriched bread lowered total and LDL cholesterol and LDL particle number.
- Inhibition of cholesterol absorption by the combination of dietary plant sterols and ezetimibe: effects on plasma lipid levels
PubMed ID: 16162943
Crossover study: 2 g plant sterols modestly lowered LDL (~4.7%); combination with ezetimibe clarified limited additive benefit.
- Low doses of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil dose-dependently decrease serum triglyceride concentrations in the presence of plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic men and women
PubMed ID: 25122648
Duplicate entry (already mapped) — included for completeness.
- The effect of plant sterols and different low doses of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on lipoprotein subclasses
PubMed ID: 26019023
Randomized double-blind study showing plant sterols reduce LDL and alter lipoprotein subclasses.
- Effects of Daily Consumption of an Aqueous Dispersion of Free-Phytosterols Nanoparticles on Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32785036
Free-phytosterol nanoparticles reduced TG and waist circumference and improved MetS severity; LDL/vLDL effects observed (good evidence).
- Direct comparison of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods with a statin in hypercholesterolemic participants
PubMed ID: 15699225
Portfolio diet approximated lovastatin LDL lowering; plant sterols part of multi-component intervention (confounded).
- A combination therapy including psyllium and plant sterols lowers LDL cholesterol by modifying lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic individuals
PubMed ID: 16988115
Psyllium+plant‑sterol cookies lowered total and LDL cholesterol and apoB (combination product).
- Comparison of a dietary portfolio diet of cholesterol-lowering foods and a statin on LDL particle size phenotype in hypercholesterolaemic participants
PubMed ID: 17663803
Portfolio diet reduced cholesterol concentrated in small LDL particles (multi-component, direction consistent with sterol benefit).
- Serum sterol responses to increasing plant sterol intake from natural foods in the Mediterranean diet
PubMed ID: 19412676
Adding phytosterol-rich nuts to Mediterranean diet modestly lowered LDL with correlated plant-sterol markers (food-intervention context).
- Effect of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods given at 2 levels of intensity of dietary advice on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 21862744
Large randomized portfolio trial including plant sterols produced ~13% LDL reductions over 6 months (robust but multi-component).
- The effect of high-fiber rye bread enriched with nonesterified plant sterols on major serum lipids and apolipoproteins in normocholesterolemic individuals
PubMed ID: 21215605
Dose-related LDL lowering with rye bread fortified with 2–4 g/d plant sterols (clear, direct effect).
- Cocoa, hazelnuts, sterols and soluble fiber cream reduces lipids and inflammation biomarkers in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 22383996
Creams containing 2 g/d phytosterols (with other ingredients) produced LDL reductions ~9–11% in a randomized trial.
- Pigmented rice bran and plant sterol combination reduces serum lipids in overweight and obese adults
PubMed ID: 24955613
Energy-restricted diet plus rice bran and 1.8 g/d plant sterols produced additional cholesterol lowering (confounded by weight loss).
- Reduction in Serum LDL Cholesterol Using a Nutrient Compendium in Hyperlipidemic Adults Unable or Unwilling to Use Statin Therapy: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 35079806
Snack delivering ~1000 mg phytosterols plus other actives produced ~8.8% LDL reduction (clinical lipid outcome).
- [Changes in lipid profile after regular intake of canned fish. The influence of addition of isoflavones, omega-3 fatty acids and fitosterols]
PubMed ID: 17594856
Large trial: phytosterol enrichment of tuna produced larger reductions in total and LDL cholesterol vs tuna alone.
- The lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols and (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids are synergistic and complementary in hyperlipidemic men and women
PubMed ID: 18492838
Phytosterol + n‑3 LCPUFA combination produced substantial reductions in TC, LDL‑C and TG over 3 weeks.
- Independent and interactive effects of plant sterols and fish oil n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the plasma lipid profile of mildly hyperlipidaemic Indian adults
PubMed ID: 19296875
2 g/day plant sterols gave modest LDL (~4.5%) and notable TG (~15%) reductions in 200 Indian adults.
- Lipidomic changes of LDL in overweight and moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects taking phytosterol- and omega-3-supplemented milk
PubMed ID: 25773888
Phytosterol milk reduced LDL and improved LDL oxidative resistance (small crossover study).
- Effect of plant sterols and glucomannan on lipids in individuals with and without type II diabetes
PubMed ID: 16391591
Glucomannan + plant sterols bars substantially lowered total and LDL cholesterol vs control (combination therapy).
- Fat-free foods supplemented with soy stanol-lecithin powder reduce cholesterol absorption and LDL cholesterol
PubMed ID: 12728215
Soy stanol‑lecithin markedly reduced cholesterol absorption (32–38%) and LDL (~14%) and TC (~10%).
- Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26553006
Large double‑blind RCT: 2 g/day phytosterols reduced LDL by ~10% and TC by ~6.6% (strong direct evidence).
- Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 concentration is not increased by plant stanol ester consumption in normo- to moderately hypercholesterolaemic non-obese subjects. The BLOOD FLOW intervention study
PubMed ID: 25857271
3 g/day plant stanol ester for 6 months lowered LDL by ~10% (robust RCT evidence).
- The human cholesteryl ester transfer protein I405V polymorphism is associated with plasma cholesterol concentration and its reduction by dietary phytosterol esters
PubMed ID: 12771320
2.8 g/day plant sterol esters lowered total cholesterol (~10%) and LDL (~12%) in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
- Phytostanol tablets reduce human LDL-cholesterol
PubMed ID: 15969949
Rapidly disintegrating stanol tablets (1.26 g/day) lowered LDL by ~10% vs placebo.
- Effect of a novel functional tomato sauce (OsteoCol) from vine-ripened tomatoes on serum lipids in individuals with common hypercholesterolemia: tomato sauce and hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 33407609
Sterol-enriched yogurt produced meaningful LDL and total cholesterol reductions in crossover trial.
- A combination of psyllium and plant sterols alters lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic subjects by modifying the intravascular processing of lipoproteins and increasing LDL uptake
PubMed ID: 17449576
Psyllium plus plant sterols reduced LDL and altered LDL processing and receptor expression.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol with sitostanol-ester margarine in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population
PubMed ID: 7566021
One-year sitostanol-ester margarine produced large, sustained reductions in total and LDL cholesterol in a large RCT.
- The effects of three different daily plant stanol ester intakes on influenza vaccination responses: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study in older adults
PubMed ID: 41277360
Older adult RCT: higher plant-stanol doses (3–4 g/d) lowered LDL though no immune benefit was seen.
- Chemometrics-guided plasma lipidomics insights underlying the decrease of plasma total cholesterol and LDLc in children with hypercholesterolemia following habitual intake of an EVOO-based phytosterols-enriched spreadable cream
PubMed ID: 41241688
Pediatric RCT: EVOO-based phytosterol spread lowered total cholesterol (~11%) and LDL (~17%).
- Experimental pasta as an innovative approach to cholesterol reduction in patients with metabolic syndrome, with and without major psychiatric disorders: A randomized controlled trial supported by in vitro validation
PubMed ID: 40620194
Phytosterol + fiber pasta significantly reduced non‑HDL and total cholesterol in metabolic‑syndrome patients (RCT).
- Plant Sterol-Enriched Palm Oil Intervention to Improve Lipid Profile and Inflammation Status in Hyperlipidemic Individuals
PubMed ID: 39408337
Replacing cooking oil with plant‑sterol–enriched palm oil reduced total and LDL cholesterol (~6–8%) in a double‑blind RCT.
- Recommended or high daily intakes of plant stanol esters do not affect ex vivo T-cell derived cytokine production in immunologically healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 39506323
High-dose (9 g/d) plant stanols produced a significant LDL reduction in healthy volunteers (dose-dependent effect).
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Direct randomized feeding: phytostanol‑ester spread lowered LDL ~10–13% and reduced cholesterol absorption by ~41–47% — strong evidence.
- The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Plant Sterols on Total and LDL-Cholesterol in Plasma Is Affected by Adherence to Mediterranean Diet: Insights from the DESCO Randomized Clinical Study
PubMed ID: 37960208
2.5 g/day plant sterol drink produced rapid and significant LDL and total cholesterol reductions in a crossover RCT.
- Plasma lathosterol measures rates of cholesterol synthesis and efficiency of dietary phytosterols in reducing the plasma cholesterol concentration
PubMed ID: 35397367
Phytosterol‑enriched soy milk lowered LDL ~7.6% and increased plasma campesterol/sitosterol (marker confirmation).
- Genosets for APOE and CYP7A1-rs3808607 variants do not predict LDL cholesterol lowering upon intervention with plant sterols in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 34791009
2 g/day plant sterols produced modest but significant LDL reductions across genotypes in a randomized crossover trial.
- A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool
PubMed ID: 31491873
Novel PS‑ester capsule reduced LDL by ~10% in a randomized crossover — clear cholesterol‑lowering evidence.
- The lipid-lowering effect of once-daily soya drink fortified with phytosterols in normocholesterolaemic Chinese: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31642984
2 g/d PS soya drink reduced LDL by ~4–6% in a large RCT — supports cholesterol balance.
- Plant sterols lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in dyslipidemic individuals with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 29795368
Well‑powered trial in people with/at risk for T2DM: 2 g/d PS modestly lowered TG and LDL — direct cholesterol balance evidence.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
2 g/day plant sterols significantly lowered LDL alone and additively with ezetimibe/statin in coronary patients.
- Structured advice provided by a dietitian increases adherence of consumers to diet and lifestyle changes and lowers blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28891084
Plant‑sterol foods plus dietitian counselling produced greater and sustained LDL improvements than standard advice.
- Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 28687937
Combination nutraceutical with PS produced substantial LDL/TC lowering; attribution not solely to PS but supports cholesterol balance.
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
Large DB RCT showing LDL and total cholesterol reductions with 1.5 g/day phytosterols — strong cholesterol balance support.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Soy milk with PS esters lowered total and LDL by ~9–12% at 6 months in hyperlipidemic older adults — strong evidence.
- [Effect of milk enriched with phytosterol ester on blood cholesterol of patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial]
PubMed ID: 29903120
Milk enriched with phytosterol esters (~1.58 g/d) reduced total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemics.
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
2.24 g/day PS in milk lowered total and LDL by ~10–13% in young adults — robust cholesterol‑lowering evidence.
- Rice bran extract containing acylated steryl glucoside fraction decreases elevated blood LDL cholesterol level in obese Japanese men
PubMed ID: 25817289
Rice bran ASG significantly lowered LDL/non‑HDL and improved LDL/HDL ratio in obese men.
- Lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio in serum predicts cholesterol-lowering response to plant sterol consumption in a dual-center, randomized, single-blind placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 25733626
Baseline lathosterol:cholesterol ratio predicted LDL response to 2 g/day plant sterols (identifies responders vs nonresponders).
- Lipid profile and non-cholesterol sterols in obese women's serum after supplementing with plant stanol ester
PubMed ID: 25060157
Yogurt with ~2 g plant stanol esters lowered LDL and total cholesterol in obese dyslipidemic women (single‑blind study).
- [Low fat milk powder containing esterified plant sterols improves the blood lipid profile of adults with hypercholesterolemia]
PubMed ID: 25327602
2.5 g/day plant sterol ester milk powder showed up to −17.7% LDL at week 3 and ~−13.8% at week 6.
- Long-term Effects of Plant Stanols on the Lipid Profile of Patients With Hypercholesterolemia. A Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 25541227
Large 12‑month RCT: daily 2 g plant stanol yogurt sustained ≈11% average LDL reductions—robust cholesterol‑balance evidence.
- Efficacy of yogurt drink with added plant stanol esters (Benecol®, Colanta) in reducing total and LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial NCT01461798
PubMed ID: 25099071
4 g/day plant stanol ester yogurt produced LDL −10.3% and substantial total cholesterol reductions in 4 weeks.
- The cholesterol lowering efficacy of plant stanol ester yoghurt in a Turkish population: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 23786762
Daily low‑fat yogurt with ~1.9 g plant stanols lowered LDL −6.3% and total cholesterol −4.6% in an RCT.
- Effects of plant sterol- or stanol-enriched margarine on fasting plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations in healthy subjects
PubMed ID: 23375753
Plant sterol/stanol margarines reduced LDL ≈8% with direct measurements of oxyphytosterol metabolites.
- The effects of plant stanol ester consumption on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23841572
6‑month plant stanol–enriched spread lowered LDL ≈10% and improved non‑HDL/total cholesterol—strong cholesterol‑balance evidence.
- A softgel dietary supplement containing esterified plant sterols and stanols improves the blood lipid profile of adults with primary hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled replication study
PubMed ID: 24287284
Replicative trial: 1.8 g/day sterol/stanol softgels modestly lowered LDL (~4%) when combined with therapeutic lifestyle diet.
- A spread containing bioactive milk peptides Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro, and plant sterols has antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering effects
PubMed ID: 22398753
Spread with milk peptides + 2 g plant sterols lowered LDL and total cholesterol over 10 weeks (combined product).
- Consumption of a plant sterol-based spread derived from rice bran oil is effective at reducing plasma lipid levels in mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals
PubMed ID: 21320365
Randomized crossover: phytosterol‑enriched spread produced modest LDL and TC reductions.
- Serum and lipoprotein sitostanol and non-cholesterol sterols after an acute dose of plant stanol ester on its long-term consumption
PubMed ID: 21947207
Long‑term stanol ester use altered sterol distribution and reduced a postprandial cholestenol synthesis marker—cholesterol metabolism impact.
- Effects of plant sterol esters in skimmed milk and vegetable-fat-enriched milk on serum lipids and non-cholesterol sterols in hypercholesterolaemic subjects: a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study
PubMed ID: 22018049
Randomized crossover in hypercholesterolemics: LDL lowered ~7–8% with 2 g/day phytosterols; biomarkers show decreased absorption and compensatory synthesis.
- Phytosterols supplementation decreases plasma small and dense LDL levels in metabolic syndrome patients on a westernized type diet
PubMed ID: 21316934
Large RCT in metabolic‑syndrome patients: TC −15.9%, LDL −20.3%, TG −19.1% with 4 g/day phytosterols.
- Lipid-altering effects of a dietary supplement tablet containing free plant sterols and stanols in men and women with primary hypercholesterolaemia: a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial
PubMed ID: 22087585
Supplement tablets trial (1.8 g/day) showing modest LDL and non‑HDL reductions.
- Plasma sterol evidence for decreased absorption and increased synthesis of cholesterol in insulin resistance and obesity
PubMed ID: 21940599
Cross‑sectional sterol biomarker study linking insulin resistance to altered absorption/synthesis—indirect to supplementation.
Heart health (115)
- A combination of psyllium and plant sterols alters lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic subjects by modifying the intravascular processing of lipoproteins and increasing LDL uptake
PubMed ID: 17449576
Psyllium plus plant sterols reduced LDL and altered LDL receptor expression and lipoprotein processing — cardiometabolic mechanism evidence.
- Effect of a novel functional tomato sauce (OsteoCol) from vine-ripened tomatoes on serum lipids in individuals with common hypercholesterolemia: tomato sauce and hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 33407609
Sterol-enriched yogurt lowered LDL; tomato sauce also reduced LDL in adherent participants — relevant to cardiovascular risk markers.
- Phytostanol tablets reduce human LDL-cholesterol
PubMed ID: 15969949
Rapidly disintegrating stanol tablets produced ~10% LDL reduction — relevant to heart health.
- The human cholesteryl ester transfer protein I405V polymorphism is associated with plasma cholesterol concentration and its reduction by dietary phytosterol esters
PubMed ID: 12771320
LDL/TC lowering in hypercholesterolemic subjects and genotype-dependent response relevant to cardiometabolic risk.
- Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 concentration is not increased by plant stanol ester consumption in normo- to moderately hypercholesterolaemic non-obese subjects. The BLOOD FLOW intervention study
PubMed ID: 25857271
3 g/day stanol ester lowered LDL ~10% without PCSK9 increase — beneficial cardiometabolic lipid change.
- Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26553006
Large RCT: 2 g/day phytosterols reduced LDL ~10% and TC ~6.6% (strong heart benefit evidence).
- Combined effect of n-3 fatty acids and phytosterol esters on alleviating hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 32054543
NAFLD trial showing reductions in TAG and TC with PS+ω‑3 supports cardiometabolic improvement in fatty‑liver patients.
- A combination of omega-3 and plant sterols regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose regulation: a randomized and controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31043161
Prediabetic RCT: PS+ω‑3 improved fasting glucose, HOMA‑IR and TG — strong cardiometabolic outcome evidence.
- A low-fat spread with added plant sterols and fish omega-3 fatty acids lowers serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in individuals with modest hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia
PubMed ID: 29725824
Spread with PS+EPA/DHA lowered TG (~10.6%) and LDL (~5.2%) — meaningful cardiometabolic lipid benefits.
- The lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols and (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids are synergistic and complementary in hyperlipidemic men and women
PubMed ID: 18492838
Phytosterol + ω‑3 combination produced marked lipid improvements including TG — cardiometabolic relevance.
- Reduction in Serum LDL Cholesterol Using a Nutrient Compendium in Hyperlipidemic Adults Unable or Unwilling to Use Statin Therapy: A Double-Blind Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 35079806
~9% LDL reduction in adults unwilling/intolerant of statins; clinically meaningful lipid improvement for heart health.
- The effect of high-fiber rye bread enriched with nonesterified plant sterols on major serum lipids and apolipoproteins in normocholesterolemic individuals
PubMed ID: 21215605
Dose-related LDL and apo changes with rye bread fortified with plant sterols (direct lipid benefit).
- Effect of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol-lowering foods given at 2 levels of intensity of dietary advice on serum lipids in hyperlipidemia: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 21862744
Portfolio diet including plant sterols produced sustained LDL reductions over 6 months, improving cardiometabolic risk profile (multi-component).
- Effects of Daily Consumption of an Aqueous Dispersion of Free-Phytosterols Nanoparticles on Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32785036
High-quality 24-week RCT in metabolic-syndrome patients: 2 g/day free phytosterols reduced triglycerides, waist circumference and MetS‑Z — strong cardiometabolic evidence.
- The effect of plant sterols and different low doses of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on lipoprotein subclasses
PubMed ID: 26019023
Demonstrated LDL reduction from plant sterols and EPA/DHA-driven VLDL/TG improvements with lipoprotein subclass data (mechanistically informative for cardiometabolic risk).
- Low doses of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil dose-dependently decrease serum triglyceride concentrations in the presence of plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic men and women
PubMed ID: 25122648
Large RCT in hypercholesterolemics confirming LDL lowering by plant sterol spread and dose-dependent TG lowering from added EPA/DHA — relevant cardiometabolic outcomes.
- A Mediterranean-style low-glycemic-load diet improves variables of metabolic syndrome in women, and addition of a phytochemical-rich medical food enhances benefits on lipoprotein metabolism
PubMed ID: 21600524
Medical-food with phytosterols improved LDL, apoB and homocysteine in women with metabolic syndrome versus diet alone (multi-ingredient but cardiometabolic-relevant).
- Bread enriched with phytosterols with or without curcumin modulates lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 30990213
Phytosterol-enriched bread lowered total and LDL cholesterol and LDL particle number in hypercholesterolemia (cardiovascular risk improvements).
- Effects on oral fat load of a nutraceutical combination of fermented red rice, sterol esters and stanols, curcumin, and olive polyphenols: A randomized, placebo controlled trial
PubMed ID: 29655700
Multi-ingredient nutraceutical containing sterol esters improved lipids and endothelial markers vs placebo (confounded but cardiometabolic-relevant).
- Curcumin potentiates cholesterol-lowering effects of phytosterols in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 29291429
2 g/day phytosterols reduced LDL in hypercholesterolemic adults; additive with curcumin improved overall lipid profile.
- Metabolomic profiling of a cholesterol lowering plant-based diet from two randomized controlled feeding trials
PubMed ID: 40263496
Portfolio diet including phytosterols generated consistent metabolomic shifts linked to cardiometabolic pathways.
- Impact of margarine enriched with plant sterols on blood lipids, platelet function, and fibrinogen level in young men
PubMed ID: 14624393
Plant-sterol margarine reduced LDL (~11%) and affected platelet function—cardio-relevant benefits.
- Effect of a diet based on low-fat foods enriched with nonesterified plant sterols and mineral nutrients on serum cholesterol
PubMed ID: 11703963
Plant sterol foods lowered LDL and total cholesterol—foundational cardiometabolic benefit.
- A positive impact on the serum lipid profile and cytokines after the consumption of a plant sterol-enriched beverage with a milk fat globule membrane: a clinical study
PubMed ID: 30206618
LDL and total cholesterol reductions plus IL‑10 increase in postmenopausal women indicate combined cardiometabolic benefit.
- Additive effects of plant sterols supplementation in addition to different lipid-lowering regimens
PubMed ID: 26228672
Randomized study showed plant sterol addition to lipid therapy produced modest additional LDL/TC lowering—clinically relevant cardiometabolic adjunct.
- Efficacy, safety and effect on biomarkers related to cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism of rosuvastatin 10 or 20 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg vs. simvastatin 40 or 80 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg in high-risk patients: Results of the GRAVITY randomized study
PubMed ID: 24401221
Large trial demonstrated superior LDL reductions with rosuvastatin+ezetimibe and showed ezetimibe lowers plant‑sterol markers—relevant to combined cardiometabolic therapy.
- Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 22990854
Probiotic lowered LDL, non‑HDL, apoB and hsCRP while markedly decreasing plasma phytosterols—strong cardiometabolic outcomes related to sterol handling.
- Action of plant sterol intervention on sterol kinetics in hypercholesterolemic men with high versus low basal circulatory plant sterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 21730224
Mechanistic evidence that plant sterols reduce cholesterol absorption and increase synthesis is central to cardiometabolic interventions.
- Effects of long-term plant sterol or stanol ester consumption on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in subjects on statin treatment
PubMed ID: 18846701
Long (85‑week) RCT in statin users showed persistent LDL lowering by plant sterols/stanols, relevant to heart disease risk.
- Plant sterol-fortified orange juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy individuals
PubMed ID: 14764424
Orange juice fortified with 2 g/day plant sterols significantly lowered LDL (~12%) and TC (~7%)—clinically meaningful heart‑risk improvement.
- Chemometrics-guided plasma lipidomics insights underlying the decrease of plasma total cholesterol and LDLc in children with hypercholesterolemia following habitual intake of an EVOO-based phytosterols-enriched spreadable cream
PubMed ID: 41241688
Pediatric crossover: EVOO-based phytosterol spread lowered LDL (~17%) and total cholesterol — direct cardioprotective biomarker changes in children.
- Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 12425728
Phytosterol‑fortified chocolate produced meaningful LDL/TC reductions and predictable compensatory changes—translates to cardiometabolic risk lowering.
- High molecular weight oat β-glucan enhances lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 30792143
Factorial RCT showed additive and substantial LDL reductions with PS + oat β‑glucan—strong cardiometabolic evidence.
- Simultaneous intake of beta-glucan and plant stanol esters affects lipid metabolism in slightly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17311944
Plant stanols added to beta‑glucan produced additive LDL lowering and mechanistic support (absorption/synthesis shifts).
- Consumption of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol lowering foods improves blood lipids without affecting concentrations of fat soluble compounds
PubMed ID: 25326876
6‑month portfolio diet including PS reduced LDL ~13% and improved related markers; multi‑component but clinically meaningful.
- Stearate-enriched plant sterol esters lower serum LDL cholesterol concentration in normo- and hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 19535421
Stearate‑enriched PS esters improved LDL and LDL:HDL ratio, relevant to cardiometabolic risk.
- The effect of a very high daily plant stanol ester intake on serum lipids, carotenoids, and fat-soluble vitamins
PubMed ID: 19709787
High stanol dose produced large LDL/TC reductions, directly relevant to heart wellness.
- Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: a multicenter Italian study
PubMed ID: 18762410
Multicenter RCT with meaningful LDL/TC reductions and reduced oxidative stress—supports cardiometabolic benefit.
- Cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterol esters differ in milk, yoghurt, bread and cereal
PubMed ID: 14985690
Phytosterol‑enriched foods (various matrices) lowered LDL/TC, supporting heart health.
- Plant sterol ester-enriched milk and yoghurt effectively reduce serum cholesterol in modestly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 15316827
Sterol‑enriched milk/yoghurt produced consistent LDL and total cholesterol reductions.
- Increased intake of fruit and vegetables and a low-fat diet, with and without low-fat plant sterol-enriched spread consumption: effects on plasma lipoprotein and carotenoid metabolism
PubMed ID: 15546434
Plant‑sterol spread on heart‑healthy diet lowered LDL (~7.1%), relevant to heart disease risk.
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched vegetable oil on plasma lipoproteins in healthy men
PubMed ID: 14505991
Marked reductions in remnant and VLDL cholesterol in higher‑TC subjects indicate improved cardiometabolic lipoprotein profile.
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Reductions in LDL, apoB and oxidized‑LDL indicate broad cardiometabolic risk improvement beyond LDL lowering.
- Spreads enriched with three different levels of vegetable oil sterols and the degree of cholesterol lowering in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 10334658
Dose‑related LDL/TC lowering at realistic intakes—relevant to heart health.
- Effects of 2 low-fat stanol ester-containing margarines on serum cholesterol concentrations as part of a low-fat diet in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 10075323
Significant LDL/TC reductions when stanols added to diet—cardiometabolic relevance.
- Cholesterol-lowering effect of stanol ester in a US population of mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 10593347
Strong LDL/TC lowering with stanol esters supports cardiometabolic risk reduction.
- Plant sterol-enriched margarines and reduction of plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 9630383
Consistent LDL/TC lowering in a well‑powered trial—useful for cardiometabolic risk management.
- A 13-week low glycemic load diet and lifestyle modification program combining low glycemic load protein shakes and targeted nutraceuticals improved weight loss and cardio-metabolic risk factors
PubMed ID: 28800398
Nutraceutical plus lifestyle intervention produced greater cardiometabolic improvements; phytosterols were one component likely contributing to lipid improvements.
- A single daily dose of soybean phytosterols in ground beef decreases serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in young, mildly hypercholesterolemic men
PubMed ID: 12081816
Substantial LDL/TC decreases in healthy young men supportive of cardiometabolic risk lowering.
- Impact of Genetic Polymorphism on LDL-C Response to Plant Stanol Ester Intake
PubMed ID: 29901322
Genotype (ABCG5 Q604E) associated with substantially greater LDL reductions—informative for cardiometabolic response tailoring.
- CYP7A1-rs3808607 and APOE isoform associate with LDL cholesterol lowering after plant sterol consumption in a randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26333513
Genetic predictors of LDL response to sterols inform personalized cardiometabolic therapy and expected benefit magnitude.
- Long-term consumption of plant stanol and sterol esters, vascular function and genetic regulation
PubMed ID: 19019257
One‑year stanol/sterol intake lowered cholesterol and reported endothelial flow‑mediated dilation differences—supports heart health effects.
- Three-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing a bergamot standardized flavonoid extract in dyslipidemic overweight subjects
PubMed ID: 31225673
Combined supplement improved triglycerides and LDL in overweight dyslipidemic adults (mixture effect).
- Effects of high adherence to mediterranean or low-fat diets in medicated secondary prevention patients
PubMed ID: 21890081
Low‑fat diet including phytosterol spread lowered LDL and oxidized‑LDL in heart disease patients.
- Optimized rapeseed oil enriched with healthy micronutrients: a relevant nutritional approach to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Results of the Optim'Oils randomized intervention trial
PubMed ID: 22784432
Optimized rapeseed oil (higher micronutrients incl. phytosterols) raised ApoA1 and modestly reduced LDL oxidation.
- Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Combination (Aquilea Colesterol(®)) on the Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Control Trial
PubMed ID: 31035469
Nutraceutical (includes phytosterols) markedly lowered LDL and reduced CRP—cardiometabolic signal (multi‑ingredient).
- Can a functional food exert a cholesterol lowering effect in renal transplant patients?
PubMed ID: 19200277
Stanol‑enriched foods provided added cholesterol lowering in a high‑risk transplant population (cardiometabolic relevance).
- Effect of plant sterols from rice bran oil and triterpene alcohols from sheanut oil on serum lipoprotein concentrations in humans
PubMed ID: 11101479
Crossover trial showed ~9% LDL reduction with ~2.1 g/day plant sterols.
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
Phytosterols lowered LDL/TC and oxidative stress in borderline hypercholesterolemics.
- Plant sterol ester-enriched spread lowers plasma total and LDL cholesterol in children with familial hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 12145004
Children with familial hypercholesterolemia had ~10% LDL reduction with ~1.6 g/day sterols.
- Plant sterols and endurance training combine to favorably alter plasma lipid profiles in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults after 8 wk
PubMed ID: 15531661
Plant sterols lowered TC (~8%) in at‑risk sedentary adults and combined with exercise produced the best lipid improvements—integrated cardiometabolic benefit.
- Experimental pasta as an innovative approach to cholesterol reduction in patients with metabolic syndrome, with and without major psychiatric disorders: A randomized controlled trial supported by in vitro validation
PubMed ID: 40620194
Phytosterol‑ and fiber‑enriched pasta significantly reduced non‑HDL cholesterol in metabolic‑syndrome patients (randomized trial — strong cardiometabolic relevance).
- Plant Sterol-Enriched Palm Oil Intervention to Improve Lipid Profile and Inflammation Status in Hyperlipidemic Individuals
PubMed ID: 39408337
Plant‑sterol‑enriched cooking oil reduced TC/LDL in hyperlipidemic individuals — applicable to cardiometabolic risk reduction.
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Feeding study: plant stanols reduced LDL and cholesterol absorption markedly — core cardiometabolic mechanism.
- The Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Plant Sterols on Total and LDL-Cholesterol in Plasma Is Affected by Adherence to Mediterranean Diet: Insights from the DESCO Randomized Clinical Study
PubMed ID: 37960208
Plant sterol drink lowered LDL/TC, with larger effects in those following a Mediterranean diet — supports cardiometabolic improvement.
- Genosets for APOE and CYP7A1-rs3808607 variants do not predict LDL cholesterol lowering upon intervention with plant sterols in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 34791009
2 g/day plant sterols modestly lowered LDL across APOE/CYP7A1 genotypes in randomized crossover — consistent heart-risk biomarker improvement.
- Phytosterols Supplementation Reduces Endothelin-1 Plasma Concentration in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Individuals Independently of Their Cholesterol-Lowering Properties
PubMed ID: 32455866
Phytosterol-enriched soy milk lowered endothelin-1 (marker of endothelial dysfunction) and modestly reduced LDL — beneficial for vascular health.
- Plant Stanol Esters Reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Aggregation by Altering LDL Surface Lipids: The BLOOD FLOW Randomized Intervention Study
PubMed ID: 32611242
Large RCT: plant stanol esters markedly reduced LDL aggregation (atherogenic feature) and changed LDL lipidome — likely lowers heart disease risk.
- A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool
PubMed ID: 31491873
~10% LDL reduction in controlled crossover trial — meaningful cardiometabolic improvement.
- Phytosterol enhances oral nifedipine treatment in pregnancy-induced preeclampsia: A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31262189
Adjunct PS with nifedipine improved BP control in preeclampsia — cardiometabolic benefit in that clinical scenario.
- The lipid-lowering effect of once-daily soya drink fortified with phytosterols in normocholesterolaemic Chinese: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31642984
2 g/d PS soya drink lowered LDL modestly in a large RCT — solid cardiometabolic support.
- Plant sterols lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in dyslipidemic individuals with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 29795368
Well‑powered RCT in at‑risk/T2DM population with TG and LDL reductions — robust cardiometabolic support.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
PS added to ezetimibe/statin produced marked LDL reductions in coronary patients — excellent cardiometabolic evidence for additive therapy.
- Structured advice provided by a dietitian increases adherence of consumers to diet and lifestyle changes and lowers blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28891084
Dietitian‑led PS food program produced greater/sustained lipid improvements — strong pragmatic cardiometabolic support.
- Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 28687937
Combination nutraceutical lowered LDL and improved endothelial function — favorable cardiometabolic signals (multi‑component).
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
Large DB RCT showing LDL/TC reductions and slight DBP decrease — strong cardiometabolic support.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Large RCT with sustained ~9–12% LDL/TC reductions in older hyperlipidemic adults — strong cardiometabolic evidence.
- Dietary plant stanol ester consumption improves immune function in asthma patients: results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26762374
Reduced IL‑1β/IgE and improved HAV titres indicate immunometabolic modulation relevant to cardiometabolic health.
- [Effect of milk enriched with phytosterol ester on blood cholesterol of patients with hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial]
PubMed ID: 29903120
Phytosterol-ester-enriched milk reduced total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic adults.
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
~10–13% LDL/TC decreases in young adults — solid cardiometabolic benefit.
- Effects of margarine enriched with plant sterol esters from rapeseed and tall oils on markers of endothelial function, inflammation and hemostasis
PubMed ID: 25553599
Lowered endothelial/hemostasis markers (E‑selectin, tPAI‑1) suggest vascular benefit.
- Rice bran extract containing acylated steryl glucoside fraction decreases elevated blood LDL cholesterol level in obese Japanese men
PubMed ID: 25817289
LDL/non‑HDL lowering in obese men supports cardiometabolic risk reduction.
- Lathosterol-to-cholesterol ratio in serum predicts cholesterol-lowering response to plant sterol consumption in a dual-center, randomized, single-blind placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 25733626
Predictor study helps identify who will get cardiometabolic lipid benefit from 2 g/day plant sterols (low synthesis responders).
- [Low fat milk powder containing esterified plant sterols improves the blood lipid profile of adults with hypercholesterolemia]
PubMed ID: 25327602
Short‑term large LDL reductions with 2.5 g/day sterol esters in milk powder support cardiometabolic improvement.
- Long-term Effects of Plant Stanols on the Lipid Profile of Patients With Hypercholesterolemia. A Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 25541227
Sustained ≈11% LDL reduction over 12 months indicates durable cardiometabolic risk lowering.
- Efficacy of yogurt drink with added plant stanol esters (Benecol®, Colanta) in reducing total and LDL cholesterol in subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia: a randomized placebo-controlled crossover trial NCT01461798
PubMed ID: 25099071
High‑dose stanol yogurt (4 g/d) achieved clinically meaningful LDL reductions quickly—useful in cardiometabolic risk management.
- The effects of plant stanol ester consumption on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23841572
LDL lowering plus improved arterial stiffness and endothelial indices supports cardiometabolic risk reduction.
- A spread containing bioactive milk peptides Ile-Pro-Pro and Val-Pro-Pro, and plant sterols has antihypertensive and cholesterol-lowering effects
PubMed ID: 22398753
Concurrent BP and cholesterol lowering in a combined product implies cardiometabolic impact (attribution partially to sterols).
- Phytosterols supplementation decreases plasma small and dense LDL levels in metabolic syndrome patients on a westernized type diet
PubMed ID: 21316934
Large metabolic‑syndrome RCT showing strong LDL/TC and TG reductions—broad cardiometabolic benefit.
- High basal fractional cholesterol synthesis is associated with nonresponse of plasma LDL cholesterol to plant sterol therapy
PubMed ID: 20444957
Shows heterogeneity of response relevant to targeting cardiometabolic therapy.
- Effects of margarines and butter consumption on lipid profiles, inflammation markers and lipid transfer to HDL particles in free-living subjects with the metabolic syndrome
PubMed ID: 20648041
ApoB and ApoB/ApoA1 ratio lowered in metabolic‑syndrome participants on plant sterol margarine.
- Plant stanol esters lower serum triacylglycerol concentrations via a reduced hepatic VLDL-1 production
PubMed ID: 19856194
Metabolic‑syndrome subjects had pronounced non‑HDL and TAG/VLDL‑1 reductions.
- A plant stanol yogurt drink alone or combined with a low-dose statin lowers serum triacylglycerol and non-HDL cholesterol in metabolic syndrome patients
PubMed ID: 19403719
Metabolic syndrome RCT showing large non‑HDL and TAG reductions alone and additive with statin.
- Effect of a plant stanol ester-containing spread, placebo spread, or Mediterranean diet on estimated cardiovascular risk and lipid, inflammatory and haemostatic factors
PubMed ID: 19939653
Large trial showing rapid LDL and hsCRP reductions and lowered estimated CVD risk.
- Very high plant stanol intake and serum plant stanols and non-cholesterol sterols
PubMed ID: 19774436
Substantial LDL/TC reductions that would be expected to benefit cardiovascular risk.
- Low and moderate-fat plant sterol fortified soymilk in modulation of plasma lipids and cholesterol kinetics in subjects with normal to high cholesterol concentrations: report on two randomized crossover studies
PubMed ID: 19843338
Large LDL/TC reductions in controlled feeding studies—translatable to heart risk reduction.
- Daily consumption of a dark chocolate containing flavanols and added sterol esters affects cardiovascular risk factors in a normotensive population with elevated cholesterol
PubMed ID: 18356327
Small systolic BP lowering (~5.8 mmHg) and modest cholesterol changes could help CV risk.
- Plant sterol-enriched fermented milk enhances the attainment of LDL-cholesterol goal in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 18193377
Multicentre LDL reductions and more patients reaching targets—relevant to heart health.
- The effect of a combination of plant sterol-enriched foods in mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17719702
Plant-sterol margarine + milk lowered LDL and apoB in crossover RCT—useful cardiometabolic effect.
- Plant stanol esters in low-fat milk products lower serum total and LDL cholesterol
PubMed ID: 17225918
Pooled evidence for LDL/TC lowering with stanol-enriched milk products—relevant to cardiometabolic risk.
- Plant sterol-enriched milk tea decreases blood cholesterol concentrations in Chinese adults: a randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 17617940
Large RCT with modest LDL/TC lowering in Chinese adults—supports population-level cardiometabolic benefit.
- Phytosterols dissolved in diacylglycerol oil reinforce the cholesterol-lowering effect of low-dose pravastatin treatment
PubMed ID: 17964767
Added phytosterols to pravastatin further lowered LDL and apoB, improving cardiometabolic markers.
- Effect of plant sterols and exercise training on cholesterol absorption and synthesis in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17196519
Demonstrated reduced cholesterol absorption and LDL lowering—mechanistic and clinical cardiometabolic relevance.
- Effects of low-fat hard cheese enriched with plant stanol esters on serum lipids and apolipoprotein B in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 16721398
2 g/day stanols in cheese lowered total and LDL cholesterol.
- Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols
PubMed ID: 16404415
2 g/day plant sterols reduced LDL and total cholesterol in RCT.
- Effect of free plant sterols in low-fat milk on serum lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 15164106
Free plant sterols in milk produced ~7–10% LDL reductions in crossover trial.
- Plant sterol-enriched spread enhances the cholesterol-lowering potential of a fat-reduced diet
PubMed ID: 12548313
Clear ~12% LDL reduction vs butter in crossover trial — favorable for heart wellness.
- Influence of apolipoprotein E phenotype on metabolism of lipids and apolipoproteins after plant stanol ester ingestion in Japanese subjects
PubMed ID: 12093429
Stanols reduced LDL and apoB in randomized trial across apoE phenotypes.
- Effects of a plant sterol-enriched spread on serum lipids and lipoproteins in mildly hypercholesterolaemic subjects
PubMed ID: 12003257
2 g/day plant sterol lowered LDL and apoB in RCT — relevant to heart risk.
- Additive effect of plant sterol-ester margarine and cerivastatin in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in primary hypercholesterolemia
PubMed ID: 12356387
Additive LDL lowering with statin plus sterol margarine offers meaningful cardiometabolic risk-factor improvement.
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched margarine on plasma lipoproteins in mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia are related to basal cholesterol and fat intake
PubMed ID: 11833047
Phytosterol‑ester margarine modestly improved LDL and LDL/HDL ratio, particularly in higher dietary risk tertiles.
- Lipid responses to plant-sterol-enriched reduced-fat spreads incorporated into a National Cholesterol Education Program Step I diet
PubMed ID: 11451715
Dose-related LDL and apoB reductions in a large randomized trial — relevant to cardiovascular risk.
- Cholesterol-lowering effect of spreads enriched with microcrystalline plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 11518201
Large trial showing consistent LDL reductions supports cardiometabolic risk reduction.
- Plant sterol-enriched margarine lowers plasma LDL in hyperlipidemic subjects with low cholesterol intake: effect of fibrate treatment
PubMed ID: 11522112
Plant-sterol spread modestly lowered LDL/total cholesterol in RCT.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol with sitostanol-ester margarine in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population
PubMed ID: 7566021
Large 1-year sitostanol-ester trial produced sustained LDL/TC reductions, clinically meaningful for heart risk.
Vascular health (36)
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
10–13% LDL/TC declines strongly support arterial risk reduction.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol in postmenopausal women with previous myocardial infarction and cholesterol malabsorption induced by dietary sitostanol ester margarine: women and dietary sitostanol
PubMed ID: 9416886
Marked LDL and absorption reductions indicate likely benefit to arterial health via lipid lowering.
- Plant stanol ester consumption and arterial elasticity and endothelial function
PubMed ID: 18279553
Large RCT found no overall artery function change but subgroup with poor baseline function improved (FMD/CAC).
- Daily consumption of a dark chocolate containing flavanols and added sterol esters affects cardiovascular risk factors in a normotensive population with elevated cholesterol
PubMed ID: 18356327
Observed small systolic BP decrease which can aid vascular function modestly.
- Effect of a plant stanol ester-containing spread, placebo spread, or Mediterranean diet on estimated cardiovascular risk and lipid, inflammatory and haemostatic factors
PubMed ID: 19939653
Improved lipid and CRP profile and estimated CVD risk suggest indirect artery benefit.
- The effects of plant stanol ester consumption on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23841572
Six‑month plant stanol spread both lowered LDL ≈10% and improved arterial stiffness/endothelial indices—direct arterial benefit.
- Rice bran extract containing acylated steryl glucoside fraction decreases elevated blood LDL cholesterol level in obese Japanese men
PubMed ID: 25817289
LDL/non‑HDL lowering in obese men reduces atherogenic burden — supports arterial health indirectly.
- Effects of margarine enriched with plant sterol esters from rapeseed and tall oils on markers of endothelial function, inflammation and hemostasis
PubMed ID: 25553599
Decreases in E‑selectin and tPAI‑1 indicate improved endothelial/arterial function.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Large RCT showing sustained LDL/TC reductions in older hyperlipidemic subjects — strong arterial support.
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
Robust LDL/TC reductions and slight DBP decrease — supports arterial health.
- Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 28687937
Combination product improved LDL and FMD — direct arterial endothelial function evidence (multi‑ingredient).
- Structured advice provided by a dietitian increases adherence of consumers to diet and lifestyle changes and lowers blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28891084
Dietitian‑led plant‑sterol food program produced sustained LDL improvements that support arterial health.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
Substantial LDL lowering when PS added to ezetimibe/statin in coronary patients — strong support for arterial risk reduction.
- Plant sterols lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in dyslipidemic individuals with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 29795368
Modest LDL/TG reductions in at‑risk/T2DM participants support arterial risk reduction.
- The lipid-lowering effect of once-daily soya drink fortified with phytosterols in normocholesterolaemic Chinese: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31642984
Modest LDL reductions with 2 g/d PS soya drink support arterial health moderately.
- Phytosterol enhances oral nifedipine treatment in pregnancy-induced preeclampsia: A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31262189
Faster BP control and delayed crises in preeclampsia likely protect arteries acutely.
- A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool
PubMed ID: 31491873
~10% LDL reduction provides meaningful arterial benefit.
- Plant Stanol Esters Reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Aggregation by Altering LDL Surface Lipids: The BLOOD FLOW Randomized Intervention Study
PubMed ID: 32611242
Large reduction in LDL aggregation and surface lipid changes likely reduce atherogenic LDL–proteoglycan interactions, supporting arterial health.
- Phytosterols Supplementation Reduces Endothelin-1 Plasma Concentration in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Individuals Independently of Their Cholesterol-Lowering Properties
PubMed ID: 32455866
Endothelin‑1 lowering indicates improved endothelial function, which benefits arterial health.
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Clear LDL lowering and reduced cholesterol absorption reduce drivers of arterial atherosclerosis.
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
Lower oxidative stress and LDL are beneficial for arterial integrity (indirect).
- Effects of high adherence to mediterranean or low-fat diets in medicated secondary prevention patients
PubMed ID: 21890081
Endothelial biomarker improvement and LDL lowering support arterial health.
- Long-term consumption of plant stanol and sterol esters, vascular function and genetic regulation
PubMed ID: 19019257
Measured IMT progression and FMD relations with genotype and sterol use—direct artery structure/function endpoints noted.
- Cholesterol-lowering effect of stanol ester in a US population of mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 10593347
Significant LDL lowering supports arterial health via reduced atherogenic burden.
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Lowered LDL, apoB and oxidized‑LDL—changes relevant to reduced atherogenesis and arterial protection.
- Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: a multicenter Italian study
PubMed ID: 18762410
Significant LDL/TC reductions and lower oxidative stress (8‑isoprostane) support vascular/arterial health indirectly.
- Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 12425728
Phytosterol chocolate reduced LDL/TC—expected to benefit arterial risk via lipid lowering.
- Plant sterols and endurance training combine to favorably alter plasma lipid profiles in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic adults after 8 wk
PubMed ID: 15531661
Sterol supplementation lowered TC and combining exercise improved risk profile—supports arterial health as part of cardiometabolic management.
- Plant sterol-fortified orange juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy individuals
PubMed ID: 14764424
2 g/day plant sterols lowered LDL by ~12%—meaningful atherogenic risk factor reduction linked to artery health.
- Impact of margarine enriched with plant sterols on blood lipids, platelet function, and fibrinogen level in young men
PubMed ID: 14624393
LDL reduction and favorable platelet/aggregation changes support arterial health.
- Effects on oral fat load of a nutraceutical combination of fermented red rice, sterol esters and stanols, curcumin, and olive polyphenols: A randomized, placebo controlled trial
PubMed ID: 29655700
Nutraceutical mix including sterol esters improved endothelial damage markers (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin), indicating arterial endothelial benefit (multi-ingredient).
- Bread enriched with phytosterols with or without curcumin modulates lipoprotein profiles in hypercholesterolaemic individuals. A randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 30990213
Reduced LDL particle number and LDL-C in hypercholesterolemics suggests reduced atherogenic burden.
- Comparison of a dietary portfolio diet of cholesterol-lowering foods and a statin on LDL particle size phenotype in hypercholesterolaemic participants
PubMed ID: 17663803
Portfolio diet including plant sterols reduced cholesterol in small LDL subclasses (relevant to atherogenesis; multi-component).
- Lipidomic changes of LDL in overweight and moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects taking phytosterol- and omega-3-supplemented milk
PubMed ID: 25773888
Improved LDL oxidative resistance and LDL lowering reduce atherogenic processes (indirect arterial benefit).
- Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26553006
Consistent LDL/TC reductions in a large RCT support arterial atheroprotection potential.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol with sitostanol-ester margarine in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population
PubMed ID: 7566021
Sustained LDL reductions over 1 year with sitostanol esters are relevant to arterial atherosclerotic risk reduction.
Metabolism (36)
- Plasma lathosterol measures rates of cholesterol synthesis and efficiency of dietary phytosterols in reducing the plasma cholesterol concentration
PubMed ID: 35397367
Phytosterol-enriched soy milk altered lathosterol and raised plasma plant sterol markers while lowering LDL — shifts in metabolic sterol handling.
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Plant‑stanol spread strongly reduced cholesterol absorption and modestly increased synthesis — clear effects on cholesterol metabolism.
- Recommended or high daily intakes of plant stanol esters do not affect ex vivo T-cell derived cytokine production in immunologically healthy volunteers
PubMed ID: 39506323
Dose-dependent LDL lowering with plant stanols (9 g/d) in healthy volunteers indicates metabolic lipid effects at higher doses.
- Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Combination (Aquilea Colesterol(®)) on the Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Control Trial
PubMed ID: 31035469
Nutraceutical improved LDL and triglycerides (metabolic markers) though multicomponent.
- Three-arm, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial evaluating the metabolic effect of a combined nutraceutical containing a bergamot standardized flavonoid extract in dyslipidemic overweight subjects
PubMed ID: 31225673
Combination supplement (includes phytosterols) improved triglycerides and LDL in overweight dyslipidemic adults.
- CYP7A1-rs3808607 and APOE isoform associate with LDL cholesterol lowering after plant sterol consumption in a randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26333513
Genetic modifiers of LDL response to sterols indicate impact on cholesterol metabolism and inter‑individual metabolic balance.
- A 13-week low glycemic load diet and lifestyle modification program combining low glycemic load protein shakes and targeted nutraceuticals improved weight loss and cardio-metabolic risk factors
PubMed ID: 28800398
Multi‑component program (including phytosterols) improved multiple cardiometabolic markers; phytosterols likely contributed to lipid improvements.
- Plant sterol esters lower plasma lipids and most carotenoids in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults
PubMed ID: 11876261
3.6 g/day plant sterol esters lowered LDL and triglycerides—improves lipid metabolic profile.
- Effects of phytosterol ester-enriched vegetable oil on plasma lipoproteins in healthy men
PubMed ID: 14505991
Large reductions in VLDL and remnant cholesterol indicate improvement in broader lipoprotein metabolism.
- Metabolomic profiling of a cholesterol lowering plant-based diet from two randomized controlled feeding trials
PubMed ID: 40263496
Portfolio diet including phytosterols produced consistent metabolomic shifts across RCTs (systemic metabolic impact).
- Low doses of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid from fish oil dose-dependently decrease serum triglyceride concentrations in the presence of plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic men and women
PubMed ID: 25122648
Plant‑sterol spread lowered LDL and added EPA/DHA dose-dependently reduced TGs — beneficial metabolic effects.
- The effect of plant sterols and different low doses of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on lipoprotein subclasses
PubMed ID: 26019023
Showed LDL reduction from plant sterols and EPA/DHA-driven VLDL/TG improvements with detailed lipoprotein profiling.
- Effects of Daily Consumption of an Aqueous Dispersion of Free-Phytosterols Nanoparticles on Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32785036
Large 24‑week RCT in metabolic‑syndrome patients showed significant triglyceride and waist circumference reductions and lower MetS‑Z with 2 g/day phytosterols.
- Pigmented rice bran and plant sterol combination reduces serum lipids in overweight and obese adults
PubMed ID: 24955613
Rice bran plus 1.8 g/d plant sterols in an energy-restricted diet gave additional cholesterol lowering alongside weight loss (confounded).
- A combination of omega-3 and plant sterols regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose regulation: a randomized and controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31043161
In pre‑diabetic adults the PS+ω‑3 combination improved fasting glucose, HOMA‑IR and TG (direct metabolic benefits).
- The metabolic effects of omega-3 plant sterol esters in mixed hyperlipidemic subjects
PubMed ID: 20617456
n‑3 plant sterol esters reduced triglycerides (~19%) and modestly lowered hsCRP; metabolic lipid benefit.
- A low-fat spread with added plant sterols and fish omega-3 fatty acids lowers serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in individuals with modest hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia
PubMed ID: 29725824
Spread with PS+EPA/DHA lowered TG (~10.6%) and LDL (~5.2%), improving metabolic lipid profile.
- Independent and interactive effects of plant sterols and fish oil n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on the plasma lipid profile of mildly hyperlipidaemic Indian adults
PubMed ID: 19296875
2 g/day plant sterols lowered LDL modestly and triglycerides (~15%) in Indian adults (metabolic lipid effects).
- Combined effect of n-3 fatty acids and phytosterol esters on alleviating hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 32054543
NAFLD trial: PS+ω‑3 reduced TAG and TC and trended to less liver fat (metabolic/improved hepatic metabolism).
- Effect of a low glycemic index diet with soy protein and phytosterols on CVD risk factors in postmenopausal women
PubMed ID: 16459222
Combined low-GI diet + soy + phytosterols produced large lipid improvements (multi-component).
- Modulation of apolipoprotein A1 and B, adiponectin, ghrelin, and growth hormone concentrations by plant sterols and exercise in previously sedentary humans
PubMed ID: 18066136
Plant sterols lowered LDL and increased adiponectin (marker linked to metabolic health).
- Effect of plant sterols and exercise training on cholesterol absorption and synthesis in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17196519
Reduced intestinal cholesterol absorption and lowered LDL—relevant to metabolic lipid handling.
- Effect of a plant stanol ester-containing spread, placebo spread, or Mediterranean diet on estimated cardiovascular risk and lipid, inflammatory and haemostatic factors
PubMed ID: 19939653
Broad improvements in lipids and CRP suggest metabolic benefit.
- A plant stanol yogurt drink alone or combined with a low-dose statin lowers serum triacylglycerol and non-HDL cholesterol in metabolic syndrome patients
PubMed ID: 19403719
Marked triglyceride (−27.5%) and non‑HDL reductions in metabolic syndrome patients.
- Plant stanol esters lower serum triacylglycerol concentrations via a reduced hepatic VLDL-1 production
PubMed ID: 19856194
Large decreases in TAG (−27.5%) and large VLDL particles in metabolic syndrome cohort.
- Phytosterols supplementation decreases plasma small and dense LDL levels in metabolic syndrome patients on a westernized type diet
PubMed ID: 21316934
Reported large reductions in triglycerides (−19.1%) as well as LDL/TC in metabolic‑syndrome patients.
- [Low fat milk powder containing esterified plant sterols improves the blood lipid profile of adults with hypercholesterolemia]
PubMed ID: 25327602
Milk powder with ~2.5 g/day plant sterol esters produced substantial short‑term LDL/TC reductions—metabolic lipid effect.
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
10–13% reductions in LDL/TC and non‑HDL suggest improved lipid metabolic balance.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Sustained LDL/TC reductions over 6 months indicate improved metabolic lipid balance.
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
LDL/TC decrease and slight DBP fall indicate favourable metabolic changes.
- Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 28687937
Combination decreased LDL and improved endothelial function — supports cardiometabolic balance though multi‑ingredient.
- Structured advice provided by a dietitian increases adherence of consumers to diet and lifestyle changes and lowers blood low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol: the Increasing Adherence of Consumers to Diet & Lifestyle Changes to Lower (LDL) Cholesterol (ACT) randomised controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28891084
PS foods with dietitian counselling produced sustained lipid/TG improvements — metabolic balance via dietary intervention.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
PS added to ezetimibe/statin significantly reduced LDL — strong metabolic lipid benefit in coronary patients.
- Plant sterols lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in dyslipidemic individuals with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 29795368
Well‑powered randomized trial in at‑risk/T2DM participants showing modest but significant TG and LDL reductions — solid metabolic balance evidence.
- The lipid-lowering effect of once-daily soya drink fortified with phytosterols in normocholesterolaemic Chinese: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31642984
2 g/d PS soya drink produced modest LDL reduction — supports metabolic lipid balance.
- A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool
PubMed ID: 31491873
~10% LDL reduction in a controlled crossover trial — meaningful metabolic lipid improvement.
Blood circulation (20)
- Effects of high adherence to mediterranean or low-fat diets in medicated secondary prevention patients
PubMed ID: 21890081
Diet with phytosterol spread improved an endothelial biomarker in heart disease patients.
- Phytosterols Supplementation Reduces Endothelin-1 Plasma Concentration in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Individuals Independently of Their Cholesterol-Lowering Properties
PubMed ID: 32455866
Phytosterol-enriched soy milk lowered endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictive marker tied to endothelial dysfunction — supports improved blood‑flow physiology.
- Plant Stanol Esters Reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Aggregation by Altering LDL Surface Lipids: The BLOOD FLOW Randomized Intervention Study
PubMed ID: 32611242
Reduced LDL aggregation and altered LDL surface lipids may reduce atherogenic interactions with vessel walls, indirectly supporting blood flow.
- A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool
PubMed ID: 31491873
~10% LDL lowering could support vascular health and blood flow.
- Phytosterol enhances oral nifedipine treatment in pregnancy-induced preeclampsia: A placebo-controlled, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31262189
Adjunct PS with nifedipine sped BP control and delayed hypertensive crises in preeclampsia — direct circulatory benefit in that clinical setting.
- The lipid-lowering effect of once-daily soya drink fortified with phytosterols in normocholesterolaemic Chinese: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 31642984
Modest LDL lowering may support vascular health and blood flow over time.
- Plant sterols lower LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in dyslipidemic individuals with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
PubMed ID: 29795368
Modest LDL and TG reductions in at‑risk/T2DM subjects likely support vascular health.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
Marked LDL lowering when combined with ezetimibe/statin likely benefits vascular function in coronary patients.
- Short-Term Effects of a Combined Nutraceutical on Lipid Level, Fatty Liver Biomarkers, Hemodynamic Parameters, and Estimated Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 28687937
Improved endothelial function (FMD) with the combination product — direct evidence for improved blood flow (but multi‑component).
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
LDL/TC reductions and a small diastolic BP decrease observed — direct blood‑flow/pressure relevance.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Large LDL/TC reductions in older adults imply vascular benefit though direct flow measures absent.
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
Substantial LDL lowering likely benefits vascular function; direct blood flow not measured.
- Effects of margarine enriched with plant sterol esters from rapeseed and tall oils on markers of endothelial function, inflammation and hemostasis
PubMed ID: 25553599
Lowered E‑selectin and tPAI‑1 suggest improved endothelial function and fibrinolytic balance — direct blood‑flow relevance.
- The effects of plant stanol ester consumption on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in adults: a randomised controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23841572
Plant stanol spread prevented worsening of arterial stiffness and improved indices of small‑artery function (CAVI, AI, RHI correlations).
- Daily consumption of a dark chocolate containing flavanols and added sterol esters affects cardiovascular risk factors in a normotensive population with elevated cholesterol
PubMed ID: 18356327
Small systolic BP reduction may improve perfusion modestly.
- Plant stanol ester consumption and arterial elasticity and endothelial function
PubMed ID: 18279553
Subgroup improvements in FMD/CAC indicate potential for better blood flow in impaired subjects.
- The effect of plant sterols and different low doses of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil on lipoprotein subclasses
PubMed ID: 26019023
Changes in VLDL and HDL particle composition and reduced LDL are relevant to blood rheology and atherogenic risk (indirect).
- Impact of margarine enriched with plant sterols on blood lipids, platelet function, and fibrinogen level in young men
PubMed ID: 14624393
Prolonged platelet aggregation times and LDL lowering with sterol margarine suggest improved circulatory risk profile.
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Reductions in oxidized‑LDL and apoB consistent with improved vascular health and potentially better endothelial function.
- Long-term consumption of plant stanol and sterol esters, vascular function and genetic regulation
PubMed ID: 19019257
Reported baseline differences in flow‑mediated dilation (FMD) associated with genotype and plant sterol use—supports blood flow/endothelial effects.
Nutrient uptake (22)
- Inhibition of cholesterol absorption by the combination of dietary plant sterols and ezetimibe: effects on plasma lipid levels
PubMed ID: 16162943
Measured plant-sterol and lathosterol ratios and showed plant sterols affect absorption and cholesterol-synthesis markers (mechanistic evidence).
- Long-term plant stanol and sterol ester-enriched functional food consumption, serum lutein/zeaxanthin concentration and macular pigment optical density
PubMed ID: 18986598
Long-term sterol/stanol foods lowered serum carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin), demonstrating altered absorption/serum levels of fat-soluble nutrients.
- Serum cholesterol, cholesterol precursors, and plant sterols in hypercholesterolemic subjects with different apoE phenotypes during dietary sitostanol ester treatment
PubMed ID: 8228636
Sitostanol esters decreased serum campesterol/sitosterol (absorption markers) and reduced cholesterol absorption — direct absorption evidence.
- Reduction of serum cholesterol in postmenopausal women with previous myocardial infarction and cholesterol malabsorption induced by dietary sitostanol ester margarine: women and dietary sitostanol
PubMed ID: 9416886
Sitostanol reduced cholesterol absorption by ~45% in postmenopausal MI patients — direct absorption inhibition evidence.
- Serum sterols during stanol ester feeding in a mildly hypercholesterolemic population
PubMed ID: 10191283
One-year stanol-ester use decreased plant sterols and increased precursor sterols, showing consistent absorption inhibition and synthesis compensation.
- Effect of plant sterols and exercise training on cholesterol absorption and synthesis in previously sedentary hypercholesterolemic subjects
PubMed ID: 17196519
Demonstrated ~18% reduction in cholesterol absorption in a large trial (mechanistic relevance to absorption).
- Low and moderate-fat plant sterol fortified soymilk in modulation of plasma lipids and cholesterol kinetics in subjects with normal to high cholesterol concentrations: report on two randomized crossover studies
PubMed ID: 19843338
Soymilk studies demonstrated reduced cholesterol absorption (−27% in moderate‑fat study).
- Impact of colonic fermentation on sterols after the intake of a plant sterol-enriched beverage: A randomized, double-blind crossover trial
PubMed ID: 30243503
2 g/d PS beverage increased fecal PS and altered microbial conversion — direct evidence PS alter intestinal sterol handling and excretion.
- Plasma lathosterol measures rates of cholesterol synthesis and efficiency of dietary phytosterols in reducing the plasma cholesterol concentration
PubMed ID: 35397367
Phytosterol-enriched soy milk raised plasma plant sterol markers and altered lathosterol, reflecting changes in sterol absorption/metabolism.
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Plant‑stanol spread substantially reduced cholesterol absorption efficiency (~41–47%) — direct effect on nutrient (cholesterol) absorption.
- Very high plant stanol intake and serum plant stanols and non-cholesterol sterols
PubMed ID: 19774436
Very high stanol intake produced large decreases in absorption markers (up to −62%).
- Effects of plant sterol esters in skimmed milk and vegetable-fat-enriched milk on serum lipids and non-cholesterol sterols in hypercholesterolaemic subjects: a randomised, placebo-controlled, crossover study
PubMed ID: 22018049
Biomarker changes (increased sitosterol/campesterol plasma, altered lathosterol) indicate decreased cholesterol absorption with PS in milk matrices.
- Serum and lipoprotein sitostanol and non-cholesterol sterols after an acute dose of plant stanol ester on its long-term consumption
PubMed ID: 21947207
Postprandial changes in cholestenol and lipoprotein sterol distribution after stanol consumption reflect altered intestinal handling of sterols/cholesterol.
- Effect of dietary cholesterol and plant sterol consumption on plasma lipid responsiveness and cholesterol trafficking in healthy individuals
PubMed ID: 28112077
Mechanistic crossover showed PS reduced cholesterol absorption (~6%) — direct evidence for absorption effects (though compensated by synthesis in that study).
- Ezetimibe effectively reduces plasma plant sterols in patients with sitosterolemia
PubMed ID: 14769702
Ezetimibe markedly reduced plasma plant sterols by blocking intestinal sterol uptake—relevant to sterol absorption handling.
- Retinol, vitamin D, carotenes and alpha-tocopherol in serum of a moderately hypercholesterolemic population consuming sitostanol ester margarine
PubMed ID: 10488954
One‑year sitostanol ester lowered serum beta‑carotene (fat‑soluble nutrient) indicating altered absorption/transport of certain micronutrients (adverse interaction).
- Effects of low-fat stanol ester enriched margarines on concentrations of serum carotenoids in subjects with elevated serum cholesterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 10602355
Stanol margarine consumption reduced serum beta‑carotene in 8 weeks—evidence of altered fat‑soluble nutrient status.
- Effects of diets enriched with two different plant stanol ester mixtures on plasma ubiquinol-10 and fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations
PubMed ID: 11319712
Different stanol preparations lowered ubiquinol and carotenoids (linked to LDL changes) — demonstrates impact on fat‑soluble nutrient markers.
- Consumption of tall oil-derived phytosterols in a chocolate matrix significantly decreases plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels
PubMed ID: 12425728
Phytosterol chocolate lowered LDL/TC and increased synthesis/plasma plant sterols—evidence of absorption‑related mechanism and systemic sterol handling.
- Action of plant sterol intervention on sterol kinetics in hypercholesterolemic men with high versus low basal circulatory plant sterol concentrations
PubMed ID: 21730224
Well‑powered kinetic study directly showed plant sterols reduce cholesterol absorption indices by ~34–39%—strong mechanistic evidence.
- Increases in plasma plant sterols stabilize within four weeks of plant sterol intake and are independent of cholesterol metabolism
PubMed ID: 26806045
Time‑course RCT showing plasma plant sterols rise within 4 weeks and then stabilize—useful absorption/exposure timeline.
- Fat-free foods supplemented with soy stanol-lecithin powder reduce cholesterol absorption and LDL cholesterol
PubMed ID: 12728215
Marked reduction in intestinal cholesterol absorption (~32–38%) and LDL/TC lowering (direct absorption modulation evidence).
Inflammation (19)
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
Reduced oxidative stress/lipid peroxidation can lower inflammatory burden (RCT evidence).
- Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Combination (Aquilea Colesterol(®)) on the Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Control Trial
PubMed ID: 31035469
Nutraceutical reduced hs‑CRP alongside lipid improvements (multi‑ingredient).
- Plant stanol consumption increases anti-COVID-19 antibody responses, independent of changes in serum cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 38278364
Plant stanol esters reduced vaccine‑stimulated proinflammatory cytokine responses in overweight/obese adults (direct anti‑inflammatory signal).
- The Effects of Freshwater Clam (Corbicula fluminea) Extract on Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha (TNF-α) in Prediabetic Patients in Taiwan
PubMed ID: 35447934
Freshwater clam extract containing campesterol markedly reduced TNF‑α in prediabetes over 12 months (strong anti‑inflammatory change, but complex product).
- Additional benefit in CVD risk indices derived from the consumption of fortified milk when combined with a lifestyle intervention
PubMed ID: 23249766
Fortified milk + lifestyle decreased CRP and homocysteine (multiple components involved).
- Effects of high adherence to mediterranean or low-fat diets in medicated secondary prevention patients
PubMed ID: 21890081
Dietary intervention including phytosterols reduced oxidized‑LDL and improved endothelial/inflammatory markers.
- A 13-week low glycemic load diet and lifestyle modification program combining low glycemic load protein shakes and targeted nutraceuticals improved weight loss and cardio-metabolic risk factors
PubMed ID: 28800398
Lifestyle program including phytosterols reduced hs‑CRP and improved cardiometabolic markers; phytosterols may have contributed to inflammation reduction within the combo.
- Reduced-calorie orange juice beverage with plant sterols lowers C-reactive protein concentrations and improves the lipid profile in human volunteers
PubMed ID: 17023701
Reduced‑calorie orange juice with PS produced a ~12% median CRP decrease—evidence for modest inflammation reduction.
- Dietary plant stanol ester consumption improves immune function in asthma patients: results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26762374
Lowered IL‑1β and total IgE in asthma patients and improved vaccine responses — clear anti‑inflammatory/immunomodulatory signals.
- Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: a multicenter Italian study
PubMed ID: 18762410
PS reduced oxidative stress marker (8‑isoprostane) which relates to inflammation/oxidative pathways.
- Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 22990854
Probiotic trial showed reductions in hsCRP alongside LDL lowering and decreased plant‑sterol markers—evidence for inflammation modulation in context of sterol metabolism.
- A positive impact on the serum lipid profile and cytokines after the consumption of a plant sterol-enriched beverage with a milk fat globule membrane: a clinical study
PubMed ID: 30206618
IL‑10 (anti‑inflammatory cytokine) rose markedly after PS‑enriched beverage, supporting anti‑inflammatory effect.
- Effect of orange juice and beverage with phytosterols on cytokines and PAI-1 activity
PubMed ID: 21477901
Phytosterol‑fortified juices lowered IL‑1β and IL‑6 in healthy subjects—direct anti‑inflammatory biomarker effects.
- Cocoa, hazelnuts, sterols and soluble fiber cream reduces lipids and inflammation biomarkers in hypertensive patients: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 22383996
Cocoa-based creams containing phytosterols (with other ingredients) reduced hsCRP and oxLDL in a randomized trial (multi-ingredient).
- The lipid-lowering effects of phytosterols and (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids are synergistic and complementary in hyperlipidemic men and women
PubMed ID: 18492838
Combination lowered lipids and (in related report) inflammatory markers; supports inflammation control when combined with omega‑3s.
- Anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and plant sterols in hyperlipidemic individuals
PubMed ID: 18977480
Phytosterol + ω‑3 combination substantially reduced hs‑CRP (~39%) and other inflammatory markers (strong anti‑inflammatory signal).
- Phytosterols and Omega 3 Supplementation Exert Novel Regulatory Effects on Metabolic and Inflammatory Pathways: A Proteomic Study
PubMed ID: 28608804
Proteomic sub‑study showed reductions in SAP and CCL2 transcription with phytosterol milk (direct inflammatory marker changes).
- A combination of omega-3 and plant sterols regulate glucose and lipid metabolism in individuals with impaired glucose regulation: a randomized and controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 31043161
Combined interventions lowered hsCRP in pre‑diabetic subjects — supports inflammatory benefit in metabolic context.
- Effect of a plant stanol ester-containing spread, placebo spread, or Mediterranean diet on estimated cardiovascular risk and lipid, inflammatory and haemostatic factors
PubMed ID: 19939653
Reported hsCRP −17% alongside lipid lowering—direct evidence of anti‑inflammatory marker change.
Wellbeing (11)
- Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26553006
Large, well‑controlled LDL and TC reductions likely benefit general health and wellbeing.
- Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia with phytosterols
PubMed ID: 1702340
Randomized double‑blind trial reported symptomatic improvements in BPH with a phytosterol product (direct men's health outcome).
- Moist exposed burn ointment for treating pressure ulcers: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28723796
MEBO improved wound healing and reduced pain of pressure ulcers — direct wellbeing improvements (topical multi‑ingredient).
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
Marked LDL lowering in coronary patients likely improves clinical wellbeing/metrics.
- Randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Beta-sitosterol Study Group
PubMed ID: 7540705
Large double‑blind RCT: beta‑sitosterol produced clinically meaningful improvements in BPH urinary symptoms and peak flow—strong men's health evidence.
- A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. German BPH-Phyto Study group
PubMed ID: 9313662
Multicentre double‑blind RCT (177 patients) with significant symptom and flow improvements for BPH using beta‑sitosterol.
- Treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia with beta-sitosterol: an 18-month follow-up
PubMed ID: 10792163
Beta‑sitosterol maintained symptomatic benefit for men with BPH over longer follow‑up (BPH symptom improvement).
- Randomized trial of a combination of natural products (cernitin, saw palmetto, B-sitosterol, vitamin E) on symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
PubMed ID: 12092634
Multi‑herbal formula including beta‑sitosterol improved nocturia and frequency but multi‑ingredient product prevents attribution solely to phytosterol.
- Randomized, Prospective, Open-label Phase III Trial Comparing Mebo Ointment With Biafine Cream for the Management of Acute Dermatitis During Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer
PubMed ID: 29889137
Marked reductions in severe itch and pain during radiotherapy would improve patient wellbeing.
- A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency
PubMed ID: 32620155
β-sitosterol–enriched saw palmetto produced clinically meaningful improvements in BPH symptoms, urine flow and residual volume.
- Short-term effects and safety of a natural oral supplement containing glucosinolates, phytosterols, and citrus flavonoids compared with hormone treatment for the management of postmenopausal symptomatic women: a pilot single-center randomized phase 2 clinical trial
PubMed ID: 37874969
Herbal supplement (includes phytosterols) improved global menopausal symptom scores vs hormone therapy for some domains.
Cell health (10)
- The profile of cholesterol metabolism does not interfere with the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of phytostanol esters
PubMed ID: 38301283
Plant‑stanol spread reduced LDL and dramatically cut cholesterol absorption while stimulating synthesis—changes that influence cellular lipid exposure and atherogenic risk.
- Effects of plant sterol- or stanol-enriched margarine on fasting plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations in healthy subjects
PubMed ID: 23375753
No increase in oxyphytosterols and some reductions with stanols imply reduced potential for oxidized-sterol–mediated cellular harm.
- Plant Stanol Esters Reduce LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) Aggregation by Altering LDL Surface Lipids: The BLOOD FLOW Randomized Intervention Study
PubMed ID: 32611242
Substantial reduction in LDL aggregation and altered LDL surface lipids plausibly reduces atherogenic cellular injury (direct mechanistic evidence).
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
Study showed decreased oxidative stress/lipid peroxidation, supporting cellular protection.
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Marked reductions in oxidized‑LDL imply less oxidative modification of lipoproteins—relevant to cellular/vascular protection.
- Evaluation of lipid oxidation after ingestion of bakery products enriched with phytosterols, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol
PubMed ID: 15556261
Lower lipid peroxidation (TBA) implies reduced oxidative damage at the cellular level.
- Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: a multicenter Italian study
PubMed ID: 18762410
Reduction in 8‑isoprostane suggests decreased oxidative injury to cells.
- Lipidomic changes of LDL in overweight and moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects taking phytosterol- and omega-3-supplemented milk
PubMed ID: 25773888
Improved LDL oxidative resistance implies reduced oxidative stress to vascular cells (direct cellular protection marker).
- Serum and lipoprotein sitostanol and non-cholesterol sterols after an acute dose of plant stanol ester on its long-term consumption
PubMed ID: 21947207
Postprandial reduction in chylomicron cholestenol after stanol ester intake suggests lowered pro-atherogenic sterol exposure to cells.
- Plasma lathosterol measures rates of cholesterol synthesis and efficiency of dietary phytosterols in reducing the plasma cholesterol concentration
PubMed ID: 35397367
Phytosterol-enriched soy milk lowered LDL and altered sterol markers and lathosterol, implying effects on cellular cholesterol handling.
Antioxidant (9)
- Effects of high adherence to mediterranean or low-fat diets in medicated secondary prevention patients
PubMed ID: 21890081
Diet including phytosterol spread reduced oxidized‑LDL and improved endothelial marker.
- Phytosterols and Phospholipids Synergistically Improve Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress: Evidence From Animal Model and Human Randomized Controlled Trials
PubMed ID: 40898743
RCT showed reductions in ROS and lipid peroxidation with phytosterol intervention.
- Optimized rapeseed oil enriched with healthy micronutrients: a relevant nutritional approach to prevent cardiovascular diseases. Results of the Optim'Oils randomized intervention trial
PubMed ID: 22784432
Optimized rapeseed oil (including phytosterols) modestly reduced LDL oxidation.
- Decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and oxidized low-density lipoprotein by plant stanol ester-containing spread: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 12679174
Reduced oxidized‑LDL (~19–20%) suggests decreased oxidative atherogenic burden (proxy for antioxidant/anti‑oxidative effect).
- Evaluation of lipid oxidation after ingestion of bakery products enriched with phytosterols, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol
PubMed ID: 15556261
Sterol/antioxidant-enriched bakery reduced TBA (lipid-peroxidation), supporting antioxidant effect.
- Effects of a phytosterol-enriched dairy product on lipids, sterols and 8-isoprostane in hypercholesterolemic patients: a multicenter Italian study
PubMed ID: 18762410
PS-enriched fermented milk lowered 8‑isoprostane (oxidative stress marker), indicating antioxidant benefit.
- Safety assessment of common foods enriched with natural nonesterified plant sterols
PubMed ID: 18270526
Trial showed ~10% drop in serum alpha‑tocopherol (vitamin E) with plant sterol foods, indicating an impact on antioxidant status (linked to LDL change).
- Lipidomic changes of LDL in overweight and moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects taking phytosterol- and omega-3-supplemented milk
PubMed ID: 25773888
Improved LDL resistance to oxidation in phytosterol‑enriched milk (direct antioxidant‑related outcome).
- Effects of plant sterol- or stanol-enriched margarine on fasting plasma oxyphytosterol concentrations in healthy subjects
PubMed ID: 23375753
Plant stanols reduced some oxyphytosterol metabolites, suggesting reduced oxidative phytosterol burden.
Healthy aging (7)
- Efecto de esteroles vegetales en la reducción del colesterol plasmático: ensayo clínico, controlado, aleatorizado, cruzado y doble ciego
PubMed ID: 27513506
Clear LDL/TC reductions (~10–13%) which are linked to long‑term cardiovascular risk reduction relevant to healthy aging.
- Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols
PubMed ID: 16404415
Well-powered RCT showing consistent LDL/total cholesterol reductions with 2 g/day.
- Serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 concentration is not increased by plant stanol ester consumption in normo- to moderately hypercholesterolaemic non-obese subjects. The BLOOD FLOW intervention study
PubMed ID: 25857271
Sustained LDL lowering (~10%) from plant stanols supports cardiovascular risk reduction with aging.
- Effect of phytosterols and inulin-enriched soymilk on LDL-cholesterol in Thai subjects: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 26553006
Robust LDL and TC reductions in a large RCT support long‑term vascular risk reduction relevant to healthy aging.
- A Randomized Open-Label Trial to Assess the Effect of Plant Sterols Associated with Ezetimibe in Low-Density Lipoprotein Levels in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease on Statin Therapy
PubMed ID: 28098515
Substantial LDL lowering when added to ezetimibe/statin could support cardiovascular health relevant to aging.
- Randomized controlled trial of the effect of phytosterols-enriched low-fat milk on lipid profile in Chinese
PubMed ID: 28117400
Significant LDL/TC reductions in a large RCT imply potential contribution to healthy aging.
- Soy milk powder supplemented with phytosterol esters reduced serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemia independently of lipoprotein E genotype: a random clinical placebo-controlled trial
PubMed ID: 27440543
Large, longish 6‑month LDL/TC reductions in older hyperlipidemic adults — relevant to healthy cardiovascular aging.
Immune support (6)
- A randomised placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
PubMed ID: 9487449
Small adjunctive trial in TB patients showed greater weight gain and higher lymphocyte/eosinophil counts with sitosterols—suggests immunonutritional benefit.
- A randomized trial of efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of anogenital warts
PubMed ID: 24838062
β‑sitosterol mixture improved clearance of anogenital warts when added to cryotherapy, indicating an immune‑mediated topical benefit.
- A positive impact on the serum lipid profile and cytokines after the consumption of a plant sterol-enriched beverage with a milk fat globule membrane: a clinical study
PubMed ID: 30206618
PS‑enriched beverage increased anti‑inflammatory cytokine IL‑10 (suggesting immunomodulatory/anti‑inflammatory effect).
- Effect of orange juice and beverage with phytosterols on cytokines and PAI-1 activity
PubMed ID: 21477901
Phytosterol‑fortified juices lowered pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL‑1β, IL‑6), relevant to immune/inflammatory state.
- Dietary plant stanol ester consumption improves immune function in asthma patients: results of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial
PubMed ID: 26762374
Plant stanol ester increased hepatitis A vaccine antibody titres and lowered IgE/IL‑1β — direct immune modulation evidence.
- Plant stanol consumption increases anti-COVID-19 antibody responses, independent of changes in serum cholesterol concentrations: a randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 38278364
Plant stanol esters markedly increased vaccine antibody responses (IgM/IgG) and reduced stimulated inflammatory cytokines — direct immune benefit.
Skin health (5)
- Moist exposed burn ointment for treating pressure ulcers: A multicenter randomized controlled trial
PubMed ID: 28723796
MEBO ointment (contains β‑sitosterol) improved pressure ulcer healing and pain — direct skin health evidence though multi‑ingredient.
- Randomized, Prospective, Open-label Phase III Trial Comparing Mebo Ointment With Biafine Cream for the Management of Acute Dermatitis During Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer
PubMed ID: 29889137
Phase III RCT: topical β-sitosterol ointment substantially reduced severe pruritus and skin pain during radiotherapy.
- A randomized trial of efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvant to cryotherapy in the treatment of anogenital warts
PubMed ID: 24838062
Randomized trial showed β‑sitosterol mixture added to cryotherapy improved anogenital wart clearance—direct dermatologic benefit.
- Oral guar gum treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus in pregnant women: effects on serum cholestanol and other non-cholesterol sterols
PubMed ID: 9650008
Guar gum reduced pruritus in cholestasis (skin symptom) though not a phytosterol trial—relevant for symptom control related to bile acids.
- Comparing oil based ointment versus standard practice for the treatment of moderate burns in Greece: a trial based cost effectiveness evaluation
PubMed ID: 22132709
Topical MEBO containing beta‑sitosterol shortened superficial burn healing time and reduced pain (direct skin healing evidence).
Weight management (5)
- A 13-week low glycemic load diet and lifestyle modification program combining low glycemic load protein shakes and targeted nutraceuticals improved weight loss and cardio-metabolic risk factors
PubMed ID: 28800398
Lifestyle program with nutraceuticals (including phytosterols) produced greater weight and fat mass loss vs diet alone; phytosterol contribution plausible but not isolated.
- Effects of a 2-y dietary weight-loss intervention on cholesterol metabolism in moderately obese men
PubMed ID: 21940598
Cohort from diet RCT showed weight‑loss–associated shifts in cholesterol absorption/synthesis markers—links between weight change and sterol metabolism.
- Pigmented rice bran and plant sterol combination reduces serum lipids in overweight and obese adults
PubMed ID: 24955613
Rice bran + plant sterols in an energy-restricted diet produced additional cholesterol lowering and was associated with weight loss (confounded by calorie restriction).
- Effects of Daily Consumption of an Aqueous Dispersion of Free-Phytosterols Nanoparticles on Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
PubMed ID: 32785036
2 g/day free-phytosterol nanoparticles over 24 weeks reduced waist circumference and improved MetS metrics in metabolic-syndrome patients.
- A randomised placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy of beta-sitosterol and its glucoside as adjuvants in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
PubMed ID: 9487449
Small TB trial where sitosterol supplementation produced greater weight gain vs placebo—direct evidence for weight‑gain support in undernourished patients.
Liver support (3)
- The effect of 5 intravenous lipid emulsions on plasma phytosterols in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition: a randomized clinical trial
PubMed ID: 23761482
IV lipid emulsion RCT in preterm infants showed intake‑dependent plasma phytosterol increases but little cholestasis—important safety data.
- Oral guar gum treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis and pruritus in pregnant women: effects on serum cholestanol and other non-cholesterol sterols
PubMed ID: 9650008
Guar‑gum prevented rise in serum bile acids and reduced pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy—direct liver/biliary relevance (though not phytosterol).
- Combined effect of n-3 fatty acids and phytosterol esters on alleviating hepatic steatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
PubMed ID: 32054543
NAFLD RCT: PS+ω‑3 reduced TAG and TC and trended to improved liver:spleen ratio (direct liver‑related outcome).
Digestive support (2)
- Effect of dietary cholesterol and plant sterol consumption on plasma lipid responsiveness and cholesterol trafficking in healthy individuals
PubMed ID: 28112077
Mechanistic trial showing plant sterols markedly reduce cholesterol absorption — directly relevant to intestinal absorption/digestive handling.
- Impact of colonic fermentation on sterols after the intake of a plant sterol-enriched beverage: A randomized, double-blind crossover trial
PubMed ID: 30243503
2 g/day PS beverage increased fecal PS and altered microbial conversion — direct evidence of intestinal sterol handling.
Hormone balance (1)
- Short-term effects and safety of a natural oral supplement containing glucosinolates, phytosterols, and citrus flavonoids compared with hormone treatment for the management of postmenopausal symptomatic women: a pilot single-center randomized phase 2 clinical trial
PubMed ID: 37874969
Herbal supplement containing phytosterols improved menopausal symptom scores vs hormone therapy in some domains.
Similar by evidence
Supplements the same benefits carry qualifying findings for — a fact about the evidence graph, not a recommendation to swap.
Products with Phytosterols
Search all235 products whose verified label declares Phytosterols — not every bottle that mentions it in a title.
Being studied right now
Recruiting clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. A trial in progress has no result yet — this is what the field is asking, not what it found.