Natural Cholesterol Lowering with Plant Sterols :

Many individuals are looking for ways to safely and naturally lower blood cholesterol. People with diabetes face an even tougher challenge since the current guidelines for cholesterol levels are even more stringent for those with blood glucose issues when compared to the general population. These tighter guidelines are in place because people with diabetes have nearly the same risk of heart disease as those who have already experienced a heart attack or stroke.

You may be wondering how you can get an extra edge on your cholesterol when you already keep your intake of fat and animal protein low and avoid trans fats. Enter plant sterols. As fancy and new as they sound, these natural compounds have been known of since the 1950s.

The typical daily American diet only contains an estimated 150-350 milligrams of plant sterols. The Food and Drug Administration has stated that eating foods with 400 mg of plant sterols twice a day with meals (800 mg a day) may reduce the risk for heart disease if consumed with a diet low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fat.

Even higher amounts are needed to see significant changes in blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, the addition of supplements or foods fortified with plant sterols is needed to achieve an effect. A few tips should be considered for achieving optimal cholesterol lowering when supplementing your diet with plant sterols: