plant sterol esters

Plant sterol esters are chemically modified forms of plant sterols (phytosterols), which are natural cholesterol-like compounds found in plants. They are created by esterifying free plant sterols with fatty acids, improving their solubility and making them suitable for incorporation into foods and supplements. Plant sterol esters lower blood cholesterol levels primarily by inhibiting the absorption of dietary and biliary cholesterol in the intestine, leading to increased excretion of cholesterol in feces. This mechanism results in a reduction of total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels when consumed regularly as part of a healthy diet. Plant sterol esters have also demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and may inhibit cancer cell proliferation in experimental models, though clinical evidence for cancer prevention is limited. They are widely used as functional food ingredients (e.g., fortified margarines, dairy products) and dietary supplements aimed at cardiovascular risk reduction[2][3][5][6].

Brand names

VegapureBenecolCardioAidCorowiseProlocolMultibeneDiminicolReducolAS-2AS2AS 2CholevelPhytopinNutraphylCholestatinPhyto-S-SterolLipophytolCardiaBeat

Other names

phytosterol esters