Dietary plant sterols and cholesterol metabolism.

Plant sterols, naturally occurring in foods of plant origin, reduce cholesterol absorption. Experimental studies show plant sterols to be an important part of the serum-cholesterol lowering effect of certain diets and dietary components. Epidemiological data show that individuals with higher intakes of plant sterols from their habitual diets have lower serum-cholesterol levels.

Plant sterol intakes and colorectal cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer.

Background: Plant sterols in vegetable foods might prevent colorectal cancer.

Objective: The objective was to study plant sterol intakes in relation to colorectal cancer risk in an epidemiologic study.

Design: The study was performed within the framework of the Netherlands Cohort Study on Diet and Cancer in 120852 subjects who completed a baseline questionnaire in 1986.