How can plant sterols benefit my health?

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that foods and/or supplements containing at least 0.4 g (400 mg.) per serving of plant sterols (also called phytosterols), when taken twice a day with meals as part of a low saturated fat, low trans fat, and low cholesterol diet, may reduce the risk of heart disease. Cardiovascular disease remains the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Elevated levels of bad LDL cholesterol are generally recognized as a major risk factor for heart disease. Diet and lifestyle modification are very important but often do not provide sufficient reductions. While a variety of medications are available to treat cardiovascular disease, plant sterols are natural alternatives.