A new meta-analysis published in the scientific journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids shows the maximal LDL-cholesterol reduction achievable with plant stanol ester is double that of plant sterol ester. Plant stanol ester is the cholesterol-lowering ingredient unique to Benecol products. Plant stanol ester produces additional and dose-dependent reductions in LDL-cholesterol with intakes above current recommendations (2 grams plant stanols/ sterols per day). For plant sterol ester, no such effect was evident. This meta-analysis was based on several scientific studies and included 182 data sets in total. It showed the estimated maximal LDL-cholesterol reduction was more than 18% for plant stanol ester versus 9% for plant sterol ester, with the difference between the two reaching statistical significance. The findings of the new meta-analysis are supported by two recently published independent clinical studies showing LDL-cholesterol reductions of approximately 17% with a daily consumption of 9 grams of plant stanols.
 
“It is known that plant stanols and plant sterols have different structures and that they behave differently in the body, and so it was important to study the LDL-cholesterol-lowering effects of the two substances separately,” said Kathy Musa-Veloso, PhD, the principle author of the article. “The results of the meta-analysis indicate that intakes of plant stanols in excess of 2 grams/day—in fact, up to 9 grams/day—are associated with further and dose-dependent reductions in LDL-cholesterol. For plant sterols, however, we did not find a dose-response.”
 
Several scientific and authoritative bodies recommend a daily consumption of plant stanols or plant sterols for improving blood cholesterol levels. The new data may have significant implications for current practices.