Plant stanol esters in low-fat yogurt reduces total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein oxidation in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Rationale 9.8% of Koreans aged 30 years and older have high cholesterol levels and 27.6% have moderately high cholesterol levels, which is an important risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease The aim of the study was to determine the effects of a low-fat yogurt containing plant stanol esters on serum lipids and LDL oxidation in Korean adults with normocholesterolaemia and mild hypercholesterolaemia *DALY; disability-adjusted life years Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Design Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Subjects received yogurt containing either plant stanol 2 g/d (plant stanol esters 3.3 g/d) or placebo Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Patient population Inclusion criteria: Age 20-39 years Fasting serum cholesterol 174-251 mg/dl Fasting serum triacylglycerols <266 mg/dl No lipid-lowering medication Normal function of liver, kidney, and thyroid No history of unstable coronary artery disease within the previous 6 months No diabetes No temporary ischaemic attack No malignant disease No alcohol abuse No pregnancy Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Protocol Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Results I Plant stanol lowered significantly total cholesterol level by 5.8% (p=0.001), LDL-cholesterol level by 9.8% (p <0.001), and plasma oxidised LDL by 5.4% (p <0.05) without affecting HDL- cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations. The placebo group showed no significant changes. *DALY; disability-adjusted life years Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Results II Plant stanol 2 g/d Placebo Figure 1. Plant stanol showed a significant lowering effect for total cholesterol and LDL- cholesterol vs. placebo after 4 weeks. Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Conclusion Plant stanol esters contained in low-fat yogurt are effective in reducing total and LDL-cholesterol and oxidised LDL levels in a usual diet *DALY; disability-adjusted life years Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.

Editor’s note “Foods containing plant stanols might be a useful tool for normocholesterolaemic and mildly hypercholesterolaemic individuals to prevent severe hypercholesterolaemia and cardiovascular disease.” *DALY; disability-adjusted life years Hyun YJ et al. Nutrition Research. 2005;25:743-53.