Harnessing Plant Stanols for Heart Health

This chapter delves into how plant stanols can significantly lower LDL cholesterol levels and improve cardiovascular health, particularly when paired with a diet rich in unsaturated fats and fiber. It underscores the importance of lifestyle adjustments for cholesterol management, especially for those seeking alternatives to statin medications.

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Health Check Ep 69: Can plant stanols lower my cholesterol?

15:35 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

In this episode, we look at whether plant stanols and a more natural diet can help reduce cholesterol. Plant stanol ester is a natural compound which is used as a cholesterol-lowering ingredient in functional foods and food supplements.

ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Helena Gylling, Professor Emerita of Clinical Nutrition and senior lecturer in Internal Medicine at the University of Helsinki in Finland. This episode is brought to you by VITAPLUS Benecol: www.benecol.com.sg

They cover the following points:

What are plant stanols, that are present in plant-based foods? Do they get absorbed by the body? (1:15)
How studies in plant stanols as dietary means to lower LDL cholesterol began in 1989 in Helsinki, and their safety profile (2:22)
Why 2-3g of plant stanols consumed daily can lower LDL cholesterol by 9-12% (3:57)
How a dietary approach with plant stanols can lower cholesterol by an additional 35%, before factoring in other lifestyle controlling measures (7:11)
How to avoid being prescribed statin drugs early on in your life (10:35)
Do food products fortified with plant stanols work in the same way as plant stanol supplements? (12:34)
Why plant stanol products should be taken with meals for effectiveness (13:11)

More about VITAPLUS Benecol: www.benecol.com.sg

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Penelope Lee

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