Medications: Stanols and sterols
In 1999, the FDA approved cholesterol-lowering food additives called stanols and sterols, which help lower cholesterol levels by blocking the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. So far these substances have been added to margarines (Benecol, Take Control, and SmartBalance OmegaPlus) and orange juice (Minute Maid Premium Heart Wise). The margarines can reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 7 percent to 14 percent when used daily for a year or longer in combination with a low-saturated-fat, low-cholesterol diet and regular exercise. In a recent study, sterol-fortified orange juice reduced LDL cholesterol by 12 percent when participants drank two 8-ounce glasses each day with meals for eight weeks.
Don't forget that stanol- and sterol-fortified foods contain calories and can cause weight gain when consumed in large quantities or in addition to the usual diet.
