Phytosterols are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol, that serve as structural components of biological membranes of plants.[1] They encompass plant sterols and stanols.[1] More than 250 sterols and related compounds have been identified.[2] Free phytosterols extracted from oils are insoluble in water, relatively insoluble in oil, and soluble in alcohols.
Phytosterol-enriched foods and dietary supplements have been marketed for decades.[3] Despite well-documented LDL cholesterol-lowering effects from long-term consumption of phytosterols, there is insufficient evidence for an effect on cardiovascular diseases, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, or overall mortality rate.[4][5]
- ^ a b Moreau, Robert A.; Nyström, Laura; Whitaker, Bruce D.; Winkler-Moser, Jill K.; Baer, David J.; Gebauer, Sarah K.; Hicks, Kevin B. (2018). "Phytosterols and their derivatives: Structural diversity, distribution, metabolism, analysis, and health-promoting uses". Progress in Lipid Research. 70: 35–61. doi:10.1016/j.plipres.2018.04.001. ISSN 1873-2194. PMID 29627611.
- ^ Akhisa, T.; Kokke, W. (1991). "Naturally occurring sterols and related compounds from plants". In Patterson, G. W.; Nes, W. D. (eds.). Physiology and Biochemistry of Sterols. Champaign, IL: American Oil Chemists' Society. pp. 172–228.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
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Genser_2012was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Salehi-Sahlabadi A, Varkaneh HK, Shahdadian F, Ghaedi E, Nouri M, Singh A, Farhadnejad H, Găman MA, Hekmatdoost A, Mirmiran P (2020). "Effects of Phytosterols supplementation on blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and insulin levels in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials". J Diabetes Metab Disord. 19 (1): 625–632. doi:10.1007/s40200-020-00526-z. PMC 7270433. PMID 32550215.