Coronary heart disease is a cardiovascular disease and is among the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide where the heart’s arteries are blocked by cholesterol deposits and blood clots. Many cases of coronary artery disease can be prevented by addressing healthy diets and lifestyles.

In recent years great emphasis has been given to the preventive role of phytosterols, lipid compounds found in plant-based foods such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables.

In a recent study, out of 240 healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects, the consumption of 3 g of plant sterols per day was effective in significantly lowering LDL-cholesterol concentrations by an average of 7-12.5%. Blood lipids were evaluated and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and inflammation (C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1) were measured.

Various organisms and institutions, such as International and European Atherosclerosis Societies, recommend the consumption of plant sterols in their guidelines as a way to lower elevated LDL-cholesterol concentration and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Ras, R. T., et al. “Effect of a plant sterol-enriched spread on biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction and low-grade inflammation in hypercholesterolaemic subjects.” Journal of Nutritional Science 5 (2016).