Lowering of Serum Cholesterol by the Administration of a Plant Sterol

Abstract

The plant sterol, beta-sitosterol, has been administered to nine subjects on unrestricted diet. A sustained reduction of serum total cholesterol and a lowering of the ratio of cholesterol to lipid phosphorus occurred. Interference by sitosterol with the absorption of cholesterol, both dietary and that excreted into the gastrointestinal tract, is presumably responsible for this hypocholesterolemic effect. No toxic or undesirable side effects were observed. A means of studying the effects of a sustained lowering of serum cholesterol on atherosclerotic states would now seem to be available.