ABSTRACT
Plant sterols are complex alcohols comprised of nine identified campesterol or beta sitosterol, differing in most instances from cholesterol by possession of an extra methyl or ethyl group on cholesterol’s 8 carbon side chain. Since earlier work had suggested an effect of plant sterols on cholesterol absorption, this led next to the question of their effect on blood cholesterol levels. The most recent and most thorough review of the types, amounts, and distribution of plant sterols appeared in 1978 and reported on many edible oils, margarines, seeds, nuts, grains, and fruits and vegetables. Clearly, more research is needed to determine the extent of benefit of plant sterols in disease prevention, especially in studies that attempt to avoid the confounding that a reductionist approach can bring. The view was also presented that plant sterols in smaller amounts than have been used experimentally may well have important benefits in disease prevention, due to their effects on reducing blood cholesterol levels.
