The Effectiveness of Plant Stanols as Ester on Change in Blood Cholesterol Level

Investigation of the Effectiveness of Plant Stanols as Ester on Change in Blood Cholesterol Level in Korean Adult

The purpose of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine whether yoghurt drink containing 2g plant stanols (3.4g as plant stanol esters) is effective in the control of blood cholesterol level in subjects with LDL-cholesterol level 130-159mg/dL.

The objective of clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of yoghurt drink containing 2g plant stanols (3.4g as plant stanol esters) on blood cholesterol level. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted on subjects with LDL-cholesterol level 130-159mg/dL. The subjects were randomly assigned to either a group ingesting yoghurt drink containing 2g plant stanols (3.4g as plant stanol esters) or a placebo group (yoghurt drink without plant stanols) for 4-week. The investigators assessed blood cholesterol level.

Inclusion Criteria:

• LDL-cholesterol level 130-159mg/dL (not taking cholesterol-lowering medications)

Exclusion Criteria:

• taking any medications (including anti-hypertensive, lipid lowering, anti-platelets, and anti-diabetic drugs)
• history of serious cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, hepatic, renal and/or haematological disease
• history or presence of cancer
• history of a psychiatric disorder and/or drug or alcohol abuse or dependency;
• having a known intolerance to gluten or lactose
• having a known allergy to any ingredient in the investigational product
• women who are pregnant or desire to become pregnant during the study period or within 3 months of giving birth or breast feeding or within 3 months of cessation of breast feeding
• having any other medical condition which, in the opinion of the investigator, could interfere with participation in the study