Plant Sterols and Cholesterol...

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has funded a research study that has identified that plant sterols and moderate exercise combined are shown to improve blood cholesterol levels for those at risk for coronary heart disease. This could be good news for diabetics.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation has funded a research study that has identified that plant sterols and moderate exercise combined are shown to improve blood cholesterol levels for those at risk for coronary heart disease. This could be good news for diabetics.

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The complementary, combined approach of consuming both plant sterols and exercising has a synergistic effect that has now been shown to improve blood cholesterol levels.

The combination of plant sterols and exercise yielded the most beneficial change in the volunteers’ cholesterol and lipid levels according to the lead researcher. This beneficial combination therapy favorably altered their lipid profiles by decreasing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triacylglycerol levels and by increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that dietary intake of plant sterols (vegetable source) and daily physical activity may improve the cholesterol and lipid levels in previously sedentary adults who have high cholesterol. Additionally, this regimen may reduce the risk of coronary artery disease for these individuals.

Other health benefits of such a regimen could include weight loss and lower blood pressure.

From a personal perspective, I take a plant sterol supplement called Cholest Off that I purchased at my local Wal Mart when I got my vitamins. With dietary changes and some exercise, I’ve seen my own cholesterol level drop 11 points in about five months. I haven’t seen marked improvement in weight loss or lowered blood pressure. Maybe that will come with time and more hard work.

I hope you find this information helpful. I know keeping ourselves healthy can be overwhelming sometimes. 

This information isn't intended as medical advice.

Be well.