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What are plant sterols

What are plant sterols

Plant sterols naturally occur in small quantities in vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, grains, fruit, and vegetables. You can also find them (in greater concentrations) in Flora ProActiv products, to which these helpful substances are added. In more than 50 clinical studies, plant sterols have been proven to significantly lower cholesterol*.

What foods are high in plant sterols?

As mentioned above, plant sterols occur naturally in plant-based foods, but only in small amounts. The simplest way to eat enough plant sterols in food to help lower cholesterol is to enjoy products to which they have been added: Flora ProActiv products contain the recommended daily amount of plant sterols to achieve this.

How do plant sterols work?

Plant sterols (as found in Flora ProActiv foods) work by reducing the absorption of some cholesterol from the gut. This reduces the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream, resulting in lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

What are plant sterols

Eating the recommended amount of plant sterols (between 1.7-2.4 grams) daily can help you lower your cholesterol levels by 7 to 10% in just two to three weeks*.

Plant sterols and cholesterol: do plant sterols lower cholesterol?

To gain the most benefit from plant sterols in foods, you need to eat between 1.7 and 2.4 grams every day as part of a balanced diet with sufficient fruit and vegetables. With three servings of Flora ProActiv spread or milk (or just one mini drink) every day, you can be sure you’re getting the recommended amount of plant sterols*.

You can read here some of the real life stories of people who are lowering their cholesterol with the help of a healthy, balanced diet, an active lifestyle and Flora ProActiv.

What’s the amount of plant sterols in one serving of Flora ProActiv?

Amount of plant sterols in ProActiv

  • One serving of Flora ProActiv spread is 10g – that’s about 2 teaspoons, or enough for 1–2 slices of toast. Or you could try it as a topping to your jacket potato, in sandwiches, or melted over veg.
  • One Flora ProActiv mini drink contains your plant sterols for the whole day! These come in four tasty flavours: Strawberry and Original

Can I take plant sterols as well as statins?

If you are on statins, plant sterols can offer additional benefits in lowering cholesterol*. In fact, because each approach lowers cholesterol in a different way, the combined effect is cumulative. For advice on combining cholesterol-lowering medications and Flora ProActiv, please speak to your GP.

Plant sterols: side effects

There are no known plant sterols side effects – we’re eating them in small amounts naturally whenever we enjoy vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods, after all. Extensive study has shown them to be safe and beneficial for the vast majority of consumers.

However, plant sterols may not be nutritionally appropriate for pregnant and breastfeeding women or children under five. When you decide to lower your cholesterol, you should always ask your GP for advice – including on any dietary changes.

More tips on how to lower cholesterol

Apart from plant sterols, there are plenty of simple ways you can adjust your diet and lifestyle to help lower your cholesterol. Here are three ideas to help you out in this journey:

  1. Explore our cholesterol lowering Starter Kit – it’s completely free – and start changing your routine today
  2. It’s easier to plan a balanced diet with the healthy eating section we’ve put together.
  3. Get motivated with our workout and exercise tips for a healthier lifestyle. 

This information has been included in good faith, but is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a guarantee. The nutritional facts and statements on this site are designed for educational and resource purpose sonly, not being substitutes for professional advice. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always check with your GP or healthcare professional. 

References:

  1. Commission Regulation (EU) No 686/2014 as 20 June 2014 amending Regulations (EC) No 983/2009 and (EU) No 384/2010 as regards the conditions of use of certain health claims related to the lowering effect of plant sterols and plant stanols on blood LDL-cholesterol.
  2. HEART UK (2017). Plant sterols and stanols
    https://www.heartuk.org.uk/downloads/factsheets/plant-sterols.pdf (accessed 04.07.19)