Comparable efficacy of hydrogenated versus nonhydrogenated plant sterol esters on circulating cholesterol levels in humans.

A recent study in The Netherlands compared the effects of margarine enriched with different vegetable oil sterols with margarine containing sitostanol-ester on plasma total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations. Margarine with sterolesters from soybean oil (mainly esters from sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol) was as effective as a margarine with sitostanol-ester in lowering blood total and LDL cholesterol levels without affecting HDL cholesterol levels.