Do Plant Sterols Really Help Your Heart? A Closer Look at the Evidence
Dr. Kumar’s Take:
Plant sterols and stanols are natural compounds found in certain foods that can lower LDL cholesterol by about 10% when taken at recommended doses. While this sounds promising, there is no strong evidence that they actually reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Some recent genetic studies even suggest that in certain people, high levels of plant sterols in the blood could increase heart disease risk. If you’re generally healthy and not on medication, sterol-fortified foods might help bring your LDL down. But if you’re at high risk for heart disease, it’s best to talk to your doctor before supplementing with plant sterols.