Consider this: You are in the prime of your life, have a family, a good job and a great home life. Suddenly one day, you experience sharp pains that begin in your chest and travel down your arm. Your chest begins to tighten and you realize you're having a heart attack. This is what high cholesterol can do, regardless of your age or life circumstances. A substance called phytosterols can assist in the battle to lower high cholesterol levels.
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease, currently the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women. It contributes to both heart attack and stroke, but its contribution is silent. High cholesterol has no symptoms and alerts no one to its presence in your blood stream. It's only method of detection is a blood test. Once your physician is aware of your high cholesterol levels, he will usually begin treating the problem with dietary and lifestyle changes. These changes sometimes include the addition of phytosterols.
Function of Phytosterols
Phytosterols contribute to the formation of the cell formation in plants just as cholesterol, in healthy amounts, contribute to the formation of cell membranes in your body. Structurally the two are similar, and it is this similarity that helps decrease cholesterol levels when you consume phytosterols. These plant compounds compete with cholesterol; both want to be absorbed by your digestive system. As the battle wages for absorption dominance, the phytosterols block your body's ability to absorb cholesterol, ultimately decreasing blood cholesterol levels, explains Cleveland Clinic.
Natural Sources of Phytosterols
You eat phytosterols every day; they are in a variety of food. Sources include rice bran, wheat germ, corn, flaxseed, Brussels sprouts, onions, cabbage, carrots, oranges, apples, bananas, peaches, pears, cashews, pecans, walnuts, almonds, peas and kidney beans. Although you might eat these foods regularly, the average intake is less than 500 mg; this is not enough to receive the cholesterol-lowering benefits. You require a minimum of 2 g a day to reduce your cholesterol. Consuming this amount can decrease your LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, up to 14 percent, and your total cholesterol up to 10 percent, according to Cleveland Clinic.
Fortified Sources of Phytosterols
Certain foods and beverages are now fortified with phytosterols, making it easier for you to receive the recommended daily amount -- 2 g per day, notes Cleveland Clinic. Consuming this amount can lower your total cholesterol up to 10 percent, and your LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, up to 14 percent. Some examples include spreads, aspirin, cheese, orange juice, milk, soymilk and dietary supplements.
Considerations
Consuming phytosterols is a small piece of the cholesterol-lowering puzzle. Changing your dietary habits is first and foremost. This includes reducing your intake of saturated fats such as red meat, whole-fat dairy and eggs; increasing your intake of whole grains such as oats, whole-wheat bread, fruits and vegetables and lowering your daily cholesterol consumption. Adding phytosterols to these changes provides the extra punch your cholesterol levels may need to fall within a healthy range.
