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Non-Esterified Stanol Diet Decreases Cholesterol Absorption Without Increasing Synthesis

A short dietary intervention using lecithin-solubilized stanols in an oil-in-water emulsion appears to dramatically change cholesterol metabolism in mildly hypercholesterolemic patients.

Researchers at Nestlé Research Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland, say the stanol diet decreases cholesterol absorption without also increasing synthesis, suggesting an effective reduction of low-density lipid cholesterol.

In a randomized, double-blind crossover design, 12 mildly hypercholesterolemic men received either a free phytostanol supplement (three grams per day in three servings) or a control treatment for three days. Cholesterol endogenous synthesis rate was determined using the rate of incorporation of deuterium from body water into newly formed cholesterol molecules. Cholesterol absorption at the intestinal level was determined using the dual isotope method using ¹³ C cholesterol injected intravenously and ¹⁸ O cholesterol given orally.

The researchers found that cholesterol absorption averaged 55.7 percent in the control group and 33.5 percent in the group receiving the phytostanol treatment. This decrease in cholesterol absorption was not accompanied by an increase in cholesterol synthesis, which was similar in both groups.

The results, suggesting effective reduction of low-density lipid cholesterol, should be confirmed in a longer study with more subjects, the researchers say.
European Journal of Nutrition, Volume 41 Issue 2 (2002) pp 54-60. "Original contribution : effects of non-esterified stanols in a liquid emulsion on cholesterol absorption and synthesis in hypercholesterolemic men"

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