{"id":382,"date":"2014-03-07T08:00:18","date_gmt":"2014-03-07T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulprospector.com\/knowledge\/?p=382"},"modified":"2021-04-01T15:26:36","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T21:26:36","slug":"plant-sterols","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ulprospector.ul.com\/382\/plant-sterols\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Plant Sterols In Functional Foods & Supplements"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"18341819_m\"More people are looking to food as a means to improve medical issues. Heart health is an area that is growing, especially as more people develop high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and type II diabetes. Changes in diet often involve seeking ingredients that may improve conditions. Plant sterols are becoming more popular, have significant research to back their benefits, and are increasingly being used in functional foods and supplements.<\/p>\n

Plant sterols<\/a> occur naturally in small quantities in wheat bran, peanut butter, avocadoes, sesame seeds, canola and corn oil, as well as other plants, nuts, seeds and vegetable oils (EU: plant sterols<\/a>). Sterols are structurally related to cholesterol. However, they differ from cholesterol by their side-chain structure. Growing research shows that sterols aid in reduction of low-density cholesterol levels and reduce cholesterol absorption. It has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in animal studies. Phytosterols<\/a> is a collective term for plant sterols and their hydrogenated stanol forms (EU: phytosterols<\/a>).<\/p>\n

While the numbers vary slightly when reviewing regulations from country to country, clinical studies of plant sterols have shown that consumption of approx. 1 to 3 grams of sterol daily can have a 5 to 15 percent reduction in LDL cholesterol, when combined with a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber.<\/p>\n

The FDA in the US in 2000 issued an interim final rule regarding the claim that links consuming plant sterol and stanol esters and reduction of risk of coronary heart disease. Changes have occurred since the initial interim rule, and requirements for the claim have been adjusted to reflect subsequent research (see 21 CFR 101.83). In 2008, the European Food Safety Authority approved the use of plant sterols in certain foods.<\/p>\n

The EFSA recently rejected a proposal in February, 2014 to add sterol supplements in powder form to water. This was due to having only one study to back the claim, and no other replication of research. 3 additional studies were submitted, but they \u201cdid not comply with the specifications provided by the applicant for the extension of conditions of use\u201d. In 2010, Health Canada\u2019s Food Directorate approved plant sterols for use in a select number of products.<\/p>\n

Concerns to review if claims about phytosterols are needed for your product:<\/h3>\n