Lowering cholesterol with phytosterols + omega-3
 Fish oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides and raise HDL- (good) cholesterol blood levels, while phytosterols reduce total cholesterol and LDL- (bad) cholesterol blood levels.
But what are the combined effects on the lipid profile in people with high cholesterol levels?
First, the details.
- 60 people with high cholesterol levels were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments each day for 3 weeks.
- Sunola oil capsules
- Sunola oil capsules + 2 grams of phytosterols
- Omega-3 capsules 1.4 grams
- Omega-3 capsules + phytosterols
- Sunola is a monounsaturated sunflower oil made by Crisco and used to fry foods
- Neither the researchers nor volunteers knew the treatment given — double-blind.
And, the results.
- Omega-3 + phytosterols reduced total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol (13% for both) significantly more than omega-3 alone.
- No effect with omega-3 was expected.
- Omega-3 alone and omega-3 + phytosterols raised HDL-cholesterol levels (7% and 9% respectively) significantly more than phytosterols alone, which had no effect.
- No effect with phytosterols was expected.
- Omega-3 alone and omega-3 + phytosterols lowered triglyceride levels (22% and 26%, respectively) significantly more than phytosterols alone, which had no effect.
- No effect with phytosterols was expected.
The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “The combined supplementation with phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids has both synergistic and complementary lipid-lowering effects in hyperlipidemic men and women.”
Phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids treat different lipids in the blood. The authors don’t clearly state in the abstract that the differences of 7% vs 9% and 22% vs 26% were significant and represent a “synergistic effect.”
Phytosterols occur naturally in peanuts, beans, olive oil, and peanut oil. A good review is here.
9/23/08 21:13 JR
