Plant sterols and stanols represent a group of compounds that are an essential constituent of cell membranes in animals and plants. Cholesterol is actually a sterol of human cells, whereas phytosterols are produced by plants.

The most common plant sterols are sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. Plant sterols, although structurally similar to cholesterol, are not synthesized by the human body and are very poorly absorbed. The specific plant sterols that are currently incorporated into foods and supplements are extracted from soybean oil. The plant sterols, currently incorporated into foods, are esterified to unsaturated fatty acids (creating sterol esters) to increase lipid solubility, thus allowing maximal incorporation into a limited amount of fat. Some plant sterols currently available are saturated, to form the stanol derivatives, which are also effective at lowering cholesterol.

The plant sterols and stanols in LipidShield™ have been extensively studied clinically and have proven not only to lower cholesterol but protect the heart as well. These plant chemicals are similar in structure to cholesterol. They have a slight chemical structure difference, which means that, in comparison to cholesterol, plant sterols and stanols are not absorbed, or are minimally absorbed. Plant sterols and stanols simply reduce cholesterol absorption by competing with cholesterol. When less dietary cholesterol is absorbed, less cholesterol is returned to the liver and through this process LDL is also decreased.

By lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels, plant sterols and stanols may also reduce your risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that taking plant sterols daily can lower cholesterol measurements by an average of 10% to 14%. The National Cholesterol Education Panel has suggested taking plant stanols and sterols along with a proper low fat diet and regular exercise program to help maintain normal cholesterol levels.