Comparison of the Efficacy of Plant Sterol-Enriched Soymilk Versus Plain Soymilk in Volunteers With High LDL-Cholesterol

Sterols compete with LDL-C for absorption in GI tract. A meta-analysis of 41 trials indicated that an intake of 2 g sterols/stanols reduces the LDL-C level by 10%. Additive effects occur when sterols are combined with statins; the combination being more efficacious than a 2 times up-dosing of statins alone. Soluble dietary fibers also have significant cholesterol lowering effects. In a meta-analysis, Brown et al estimate that a daily soluble fiber intake ranging from 9-30 g/d, were associated with 10.6% reduction in LDL-C levels.

Soy protein is another LDL-C and total cholesterol lowering food. A meta-analysis by Reynolds K et al. discovered that volunteers receiving 20 to more than 61 g of soy protein had reductions in total cholesterol by 5.26 mg/dL (95% CI -7.14 to -3.38), and LDL-C by 4.25 mg/dL (95% CI -6.00 to -2.50), with an increase of HDL-C by 0.77 mg/dL (95% CI 0.20 to 1.34). Reductions in LDL cholesterol were larger in hypercholesterolemic than in normocholesterolemic subjects.