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Phytosterol
Class of steroids derived from plants / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Phytosterols are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol, that serve as structural components of biological membranes of plants.[1] They encompass plant sterols and stanols.[1] More than 250 sterols and related compounds have been identified.[2] Free phytosterols extracted from oils are insoluble in water, relatively insoluble in oil, and soluble in alcohols.
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Phytosterol-enriched foods and dietary supplements have been marketed for decades.[3] Despite well-documented LDL cholesterol-lowering effects from long-term consumption of phytosterols, there is insufficient evidence for an effect on cardiovascular diseases, fasting blood sugar, glycated hemoglobin, or overall mortality rate.[4][5]