Plant sterols are natural compounds that are used for lowering cholesterol. This eMedTV article describes various plant sterol products, discusses their benefits in more detail, and explains what you should know before consuming plant sterols.
Plant sterols appear to be beneficial for lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease. This eMedTV segment discusses other potential benefits of plant sterols and explains how the natural compounds work for reducing cholesterol levels.
People may wonder, "Do plant sterols work for any conditions other than high cholesterol?" This part of the eMedTV library explores the effectiveness of plant sterol products for various conditions and also lists some less-valid plant sterols uses.
Since plant sterol products are very common, many people wonder, "Are plant sterols safe?" This eMedTV page discusses the safety of plant sterols and explains what you should be aware of before using any plant sterol supplements.
Potential plant sterol side effects include constipation, impotence, and heartburn. As this eMedTV page explains, side effects can be bothersome but are usually not serious. You should watch for signs of an allergic reaction while using plant sterols.
Although there is no standard plant sterol dosage, the AHA recommends taking 2 grams daily. This eMedTV Web page also offers plant sterol dosing recommendations from the FDA and includes other information about plant sterol products.
Vitamin E, beta-carotene, and ezetimibe products may cause plant sterol drug interactions. This page from the eMedTV archives explains what may happen when these medications are taken together with plant sterol products.
It is highly unlikely for someone to overdose on plant sterols. This section of the eMedTV library further explains why a plant sterol overdose is unlikely to occur and describes the treatment options that are available for an overdose (if necessary).
Due to their effects on certain hormones, plant sterols may not be safe for use in pregnancy. This eMedTV page offers more information on plant sterols and pregnancy, further explaining why plant sterol supplements may not be safe for pregnant women.
It is unknown if plant sterols from dietary supplements are safe for breastfeeding women. This eMedTV resource provides a more in-depth look at plant sterols and breastfeeding, and explains why plant sterols may cause problems in breastfeeding women.
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