[Risk management of cardiovascular disease through milk enriched with sterols in a young-adult population; randomized controlled clinical trial].

INTRODUCTION

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most relevant risk factors in cardiovascular disease, where use of plant sterols one strategy evident.

AIM

To determine the effectiveness of a rich in phytosterols for reducing markers of cardiovascular disease in young adult population milk.

METHODS

A randomized, clinical controlled trial, double-blind crossover study. Sterols (2.24 g per day) were ingested through commercial milk, with two phases and three weeks respectively separated by a washout period of 2 weeks, for those subjects during the "milk of study", and the same amount of skim milk, sterols, for placebo. At the beginning and end of each phase blood draws were performed.. Lipid profile, hematology, inflammation, etc; anthropometric data, health habits and blood laboratory markers were collected.

RESULTS

Nineteen people completed the study of 34.68 years (± 6.91). Difference between baseline and final scores were 19.47 (± 29.10) mg/dl, 24.47 (± 30.68) mg/dl, 14.36 (± 44.16) mg/dl for LDL-cholesterol, total Cholesterol and Triglycerides, respectively. Without considerable changes in HDLc. There are significant differences between placebo and milk with sterols for LDL (p=0.009) and total Cholesterol (p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Sterols supplied in a functional food, such as milk, can be a strategy for non- pharmacological treatment of hypercholesterolemia and therefore a tool for cardiovascular risk reduction globally.