What Is a Phytosterol?
Sterols are a group of organic compounds that play an essential role in development and reproduction of eukaryotic cells. Phytosterols are sterols found in plant matter, and are essential components of cell membranes within the plant (other kinds of sterols are found in animal fats, such as cholestrol, an essential component of the cell membranes of animals). In ancient times, human diets were high in phytosterols, especially since they didn't have the food processing techniques that we have today. Consumption of phytosterols has again become popular as research is beginning to show that phytosterols may have several health benefits.
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Sources
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Unlike cholesterol, which can be produced by the human liver, phytosterols can only be eaten. There are 44 known phytosterols, and most can be found in nuts, legumes and vegetable oils (www.dietaryfiberfood.com/cholesterol-low.php).
Function
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Phytosterols, like cholesterol, are necessary for cell health. Since phytosterols have a similar molecular makeup to cholesterol, it has been suggested and studied rigorously that diets high in phytosterols can contribute to lower blood cholesterol levels, as phytosterols compete with cholesterol receptor sites within the bloodstream and lipoprotein carriers.
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Eating Phytosterols
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Humans are wont to absorb more cholestrol eaten than phytosterols during the digestion process; humans absorb only about 2 to 5 percent of a plant sterol and about 60 percent of cholesterol during digestion (see References for link).
Benefits
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Scientific research has suggested that phytosterols can contribute to lowering blood cholesterol and heart disease rates. There is also a body of research that suggests that eating larger amount of phytosterols does not cause any innate health effects in and of itself; they are perfectly healthy to eat in large quantities.
Availability
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The FDA has begun to allow products containing phytosterols to be labeled as "heart healthy." When reading ingredient labels for phytosterols, the three most prevalent kinds are beta-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Research suggests that getting phytosterols naturally, through natural sources such as fresh legumes or nuts, is more healthy than through supplements.
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