Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) cause every fifth death worldwide. However, it is possible to prevent the progression of ASCVDs by reducing circulating concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Recent large meta-analyses demonstrated that by reducing the dietary...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/8/2346 |
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| author | Helena Gylling Timo E. Strandberg Petri T. Kovanen Piia Simonen |
| author_facet | Helena Gylling Timo E. Strandberg Petri T. Kovanen Piia Simonen |
| author_sort | Helena Gylling |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) cause every fifth death worldwide. However, it is possible to prevent the progression of ASCVDs by reducing circulating concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Recent large meta-analyses demonstrated that by reducing the dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, it is possible to reduce the risk of ASCVD events. Plant stanols, as fatty-acid esters, were developed as a dietary adjunct to reduce LDL-C levels as part of a heart-healthy diet. They reduce cholesterol absorption so that less cholesterol is transported to the liver, and the expression of LDL receptors is upregulated. Ultimately, LDL-C concentrations are reduced on average by 9–12% by consuming 2–3 g of plant stanol esters per day. In this review, we discuss recent information regarding the prevention of ASCVDs with a focus on dietary means. We also present new estimates on the effect of plant stanol ester consumption on LDL-C levels and the risk of ASCVD events. Plant stanol esters as part of a heart-healthy diet plausibly offer a means to reduce the risk of ASCVD events at a population level. This approach is not only appropriate for subjects with a high risk of ASCVD, but also for subjects at an apparently lower risk to prevent subclinical atherosclerosis. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:54:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-43dcf4209aaf4c6f97c861a1cd4fac46 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:54:43Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-43dcf4209aaf4c6f97c861a1cd4fac462023-11-20T09:14:18ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432020-08-01128234610.3390/nu12082346Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical DiscussionHelena Gylling0Timo E. Strandberg1Petri T. Kovanen2Piia Simonen3Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandHelsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, FinlandWihuri Research Institute, 00290 Helsinki, FinlandHeart and Lung Center, Cardiology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00029, Helsinki, FinlandAtherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (ASCVDs) cause every fifth death worldwide. However, it is possible to prevent the progression of ASCVDs by reducing circulating concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Recent large meta-analyses demonstrated that by reducing the dietary intake of saturated fat and cholesterol, it is possible to reduce the risk of ASCVD events. Plant stanols, as fatty-acid esters, were developed as a dietary adjunct to reduce LDL-C levels as part of a heart-healthy diet. They reduce cholesterol absorption so that less cholesterol is transported to the liver, and the expression of LDL receptors is upregulated. Ultimately, LDL-C concentrations are reduced on average by 9–12% by consuming 2–3 g of plant stanol esters per day. In this review, we discuss recent information regarding the prevention of ASCVDs with a focus on dietary means. We also present new estimates on the effect of plant stanol ester consumption on LDL-C levels and the risk of ASCVD events. Plant stanol esters as part of a heart-healthy diet plausibly offer a means to reduce the risk of ASCVD events at a population level. This approach is not only appropriate for subjects with a high risk of ASCVD, but also for subjects at an apparently lower risk to prevent subclinical atherosclerosis.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/8/2346atherosclerosiscardiovascular diseasecholesterollipoproteinnutritionplant stanol |
| spellingShingle | Helena Gylling Timo E. Strandberg Petri T. Kovanen Piia Simonen Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion Nutrients atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease cholesterol lipoprotein nutrition plant stanol |
| title | Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion |
| title_full | Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion |
| title_fullStr | Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion |
| title_short | Lowering Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Concentration with Plant Stanol Esters to Reduce the Risk of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Events at a Population Level: A Critical Discussion |
| title_sort | lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration with plant stanol esters to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events at a population level a critical discussion |
| topic | atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease cholesterol lipoprotein nutrition plant stanol |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/8/2346 |
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