Green leafy, fresh vegetables are one of the best natural sources of phytosterols. Studies have demonstrated that these vegetables contain a variety of plant sterols which can help lower LDL cholesterol when consumed along with a well balanced lifestyle with diet and exercise.
A prominent study has demonstrated the importance of vegetable oil in providing for plant sterols. These sterols were shown to help lower cholesterol levels in subjects, as well as improving overall heart health. Importantly, these natural sterols are found in a variety of naturally occuring sources. The report, from the Nutrition and Food Research Institute in the Netherlands, demonstrates how natural foods can be an important nutritional source.
Additionally, many spreads and salad dressings come fortified with sterol extract, allowing you to incorporate even more plant sterols into your daily diet. These products ranging from Activ Spreads, a healthy alternative to butter (which is high in satured fat) and margarine (which can be high in trans fatty acids.)
While consuming vegetables alone may not be a sufficient source to have a statistically significant effect upon cholesterol levels, supplementing those sources with additional sterol additives can help lower LDL levels in the blood stream, and contribute to overall health.
