In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study the intervention (n = 25) and control (n = 24) groups consumed spread and drink enriched or not with plant stanol esters for 10 weeks.
Plant stanols reduced serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations by 12.8 and 17.3 % from baseline and by 12.0 and 17.1 % from controls (P < 0.01 for all). Liver enzymes, markers of hemolysis, and blood cells were unchanged. Serum vitamins A, D, and γ-tocopherol concentrations, and the ratios of α-tocopherol to cholesterol were unchanged. Serum β-carotene concentrations decreased significantly from baseline and were different from controls even when adjusted for cholesterol. Serum α-carotene concentration and α-carotene/cholesterol ratio were not different from controls.
High intake of plant stanols reduced LDL cholesterol values without any other side effects than reduction of serum β-carotene concentration. However, the end product, serum vitamin A levels, were unchanged. The results suggest that plant stanol ester intake can be increased to induce a greater cholesterol lowering effect.