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3Medicinal

Plant sterols

Also sold as Phytosterols, plant stanols, sterol esters

Compounds that block cholesterol absorption — one of the better-evidenced cholesterol supplements, lowering LDL by roughly 8–10%.

TrustedSupp Tier System™ · Tier 3Take as a defined course

Evidence strength

78/100Strong
WEAKLIMITEDMODERATESTRONGVERY STRONG

What the evidence supports: lowering LDL cholesterol by about 8–10% at 2 g daily.

This scores how well-supported the claim above is — not how much benefit you personally would get. A high score on a narrow claim does not extend to everything the product is marketed for.

How long to take it

Ongoing while managing cholesterol — the effect stops when you stop.

Who it's actually for

People with raised LDL cholesterol, alongside diet and any prescribed treatment.

Safe upper limit

Unverified
No formal upper limit; benefit plateaus around 2–3 g daily
Well tolerated. They slightly lower blood levels of beta-carotene and some fat-soluble vitamins. People with sitosterolaemia must avoid them.
No source or citation attached yet.

Interactions to know about

  • Statins — Atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin

Run your full list through the interaction check.

Practical notes

  • Take with meals — they work by blocking cholesterol absorption from food.
  • Effects add to statins rather than replacing them.
  • Whether sterol-lowered LDL reduces heart events hasn't been directly proven in outcome trials.