Compound or practice · Supplement
Plant Sterols / Stanols
Fortified-food compounds that reliably shave LDL by blocking cholesterol absorption — proven biomarker, uncertain hard outcomes.
- Overall grade
- Grade A
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade A · 1 at grade C — 2 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- LDL cholesterolEvidence grade A
~8–10% at 2 g/day
Moderatehigh
- Cardiovascular eventsEvidence grade C
Outcome trials lacking
Unclearlow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Cardiovascular events (grade C).
The evidence in words
What it is
Plant sterols and stanols are cholesterol look-alikes added to spreads and drinks to lower LDL.
How it works
They compete with cholesterol for absorption in the gut, reducing how much dietary and biliary cholesterol enters circulation.
What the evidence shows
Grade A for the biomarker: ~2 g/day lowers LDL by around 8–10%, one of the most reliable dietary LDL levers. Hard cardiovascular-outcome trials are lacking, and there is a theoretical concern about sterol accumulation, so they are an adjunct to, not a replacement for, proven therapy.
How to use it
2 g/day from fortified foods or supplements, taken with meals.
Safety & interactions
Well tolerated; may modestly reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids.
Bottom line
A dependable ~8–10% LDL drop from 2 g/day with meals. Solid biomarker effect; use it alongside, not instead of, established heart-health measures.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 2 g/day with meals.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Plant Sterols / Stanols for Cardiovascular eventsEvidence grade C — Outcome trials lackingEvidence grade C
- Plant Sterols / Stanols for LDL cholesterolEvidence grade A — ~8–10% at 2 g/dayEvidence grade A
- Plant Sterols / Stanols: dosage and how to take it2 g/day with meals.Evidence grade A
- Plant Sterols / Stanols: side effects, safety & interactionsWell tolerated; may modestly reduce absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids.Evidence grade A
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.