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What are plant sterols

ProActiv / Heart & Cholesterol / How to Lower / What are plant sterols

Plant sterols naturally occur in small quantities in vegetable oils, nuts,

seeds, grains, fruit, and vegetables. You can also find them (in greater
concentrations) in Flora ProActiv products, to which these helpful
substances are added. In more than 50 clinical studies, plant sterols have
been proven to significantly lower cholesterol*.

What foods are high in plant

sterols?
As mentioned above, plant sterols occur naturally in plant-based
foods, but only in small amounts. The simplest way to eat enough
plant sterols in food to help lower cholesterol is to enjoy products to
which they have been added: Flora ProActiv products contain the
recommended daily amount of plant sterols to achieve this.

How do plant sterols work?

Plant sterols (as found in Flora ProActiv foods) work by reducing the
absorption of some cholesterol from the gut. This reduces the
amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream, resulting in
lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Eating the recommended amount of plant sterols (between 1.7-2.4

grams) daily can help you lower your cholesterol levels by 7 to 10% in
just two to three weeks*.

Plant sterols and cholesterol: do

plant sterols lower cholesterol?
To gain the most benefit from plant sterols in foods, you need to eat
between 1.7 and 2.4 grams every day as part of a balanced diet with
sufficient fruit and vegetables. With three servings of Flora ProActiv
spread or milk (or just one mini drink) every day, you can be sure
you’re getting the recommended amount of plant sterols*.

What’s the amount of plant

sterols in one serving of Flora
ProActiv?

One serving of Flora ProActiv spread is 10g – that’s about 2

teaspoons, or enough for 1–2 slices of toast. Or you could try it
as a topping to your jacket potato, in sandwiches, or melted over
veg.

A serving of Flora ProActiv milk drink is 250ml – that’s a quarter

of a carton or a medium-sized glass. It’s delicious poured over
cereal or added to tea and coffee over the course of the day.

One Flora ProActiv mini drink contains your plant sterols for the
whole day! These come in four tasty flavours: Strawberry and
Original

Can I take plant sterols as well as

statins?
If you are on statins, plant sterols can offer additional benefits in
lowering cholesterol*. In fact, because each approach lowers
cholesterol in a different way, the combined effect is cumulative. For
advice on combining cholesterol-lowering medications and Flora
ProActiv, please speak to your GP.

Plant sterols: side effects

There are no known plant sterols side effects – we’re eating them in
small amounts naturally whenever we enjoy vegetables, nuts, seeds,
and other plant-based foods, after all. Extensive study has shown
them to be safe and beneficial for the vast majority of consumers.

However, plant sterols may not be nutritionally appropriate for

pregnant and breastfeeding women or children under five. When you
decide to lower your cholesterol, you should always ask your GP for
advice – including on any dietary changes.

More tips on how to lower

cholesterol
Apart from plant sterols, there are plenty of simple ways you can
adjust your diet and lifestyle to help lower your cholesterol. Here are
three ideas to help you out in this journey:

. Explore our cholesterol lowering Starter Kit – it’s completely free

– and start changing your routine today
. It’s easier to plan a balanced diet with the healthy eating
section we’ve put together.
 . Get motivated with our workout and exercise tips for a healthier Healthcare professionals Choose your country

lifestyle.
Heart & Cholesterol How ProActiv Works Products Cholesterol Lowering Guide Recipe Book Recipes

This information has been included in good faith, but is for general informational

purposes only, and should not be construed as a guarantee. The nutritional facts

and statements on this site are designed for educational and resource purpose

sonly, not being substitutes for professional advice. If you have any concerns or

questions about your health, you should always check with your GP or healthcare

professional.

References:

. Commission Regulation (EU) No 686/2014 as 20 June 2014 amending Regulations (EC)

No 983/2009 and (EU) No 384/2010 as regards the conditions of use of certain health

claims related to the lowering effect of plant sterols and plant stanols on blood LDL-

cholesterol.

. HEART UK (2017). Plant sterols and stanols

https://www.heartuk.org.uk/downloads/factsheets/plant-sterols.pdf (accessed

04.07.19)

*Flora ProActiv contains plant sterols. Products Recipes About us

A daily intake of 1.5-2.4g plant sterols
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can help reducing cholesterol levels
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by 7-10% in 2-3 weeks as part of a
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healthy diet – with plenty of fruit and
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vegetables – and a healthy lifestyle.
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High cholesterol is a risk factor in the
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development of coronary heart
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disease. As coronary heart disease
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has multiple risk factors, more than
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one may need to be improved to

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