Phytosterols 植物固醇 (from therighttrack.com)

Info source http://therighttrak.com/Calories.aspx

Phytosterols 植物固醇

Phytosterol is one of several dietary compounds known as Sterols and are similar to cholesterol in structure and purpose but are found in plant sources.

They are naturally present in unrefined vegetable and olive oils, nuts, legumes and whole grains. 

Plant sterols are also widely used to enrich foods. Margarine, yogurt, milk and soy milk are just a few of those foods. 

Studies show that adequate consumption of plant based phytosterols may significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by inhibiting the absorption of intestinal cholesterol and reducing LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. 

Many clinical trials suggest an intake at the lowest levels of 800 to 1000 mg daily to significantly effect that benefit. 

DV - No recommendations have been set.

RDA - No recommendations 

Phytosterols -- a DHT blocker

PHYTOSTEROLS 

Phytosterols, plant-derived sterols similar to human cholesterol, may reduce levels of DHT, according to the Linus Pauling Institute, or LPI. 

The diets of early humans contained many phytosterols; however, modern Western diets are said to be lacking in these beneficial sterols. 

The LPI reports that animal investigations suggest that a diet high in phytosterols may inhibit the enzyme, 5-alpha reductase and block the production of DHT. 

You can obtain phytosterols through food sources, including wheat germ, sesame oil, corn oil, canola oil, peanuts, almonds, macadamia nuts, Brussels sprouts, olive oil and rye bread.

Info source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/302048-foods-and-vitamins-that-stop-dht/%23page=1

Whole Garins and phytosterols and food-based cholesterol

Whole grains provide a complex array of beneficial bioactive components, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, beta-glucan, inulin, and phytosterols.

Plant sterols and plant stanols are collectively known as phytosterols. Plant sterols are plant compounds with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. Especially high sterol levels are found in rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, and soybeans.

Interestingly, phytosterols so closely resemble cholesterol that they can actually block food-based cholesterol from being absorbed into the bloodstream. 

The result is that both phytosterols and dietary cholesterol end up excreted in waste matter.

For more info, pease visit http://www.choleslo.com/articles/phytosterols.php

Phytosterols in wheat germ may be a superfood to lower bad LDLcholesterol

Phytosterols in wheat germ may  be a superfood to lower bad LDL cholesterol

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Wheat germ has phytosterols, which are actually steroid compounds similar to cholesterol. These phytosterols can lower unhealthy cholesterol and promote a healthy heart. 

One French study from 1992 found that eating 30 grams, or about a quarter of a cup, of raw wheat germ a day for 14 weeks lowered total cholesterol by 7.2%. It also lowered LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, by 15.4%, and triglycerides, a fat and sugar molecule in your blood, by 11.3%. 

Another study from the 2003 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that if you removed the phytosterols from the wheat germ, you would not get the same cholesterol-lowering effect. This shows us that the phytosterols are the compound needed to lower cholesterol. In this study, wheat germ with the original phytosterols reduced cholesterol absorption from the intestines by an impressive 42.8%.

Other studies suggest that reducing bad cholesterol by just 7% can lead to a 15% lower risk of heart disease. Since wheat germ is one of the most robust sources of phytosterols, wheat germ may indeed be a superfood to lower bad LDL cholesterol.

Info source http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/why-you-need-wheat-germ

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Picture source: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/archive/wheatgerm/background.html

Protective chemicals in wholegrains are linked to health benefits

Info source:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Cereals_and_wholegrain_foods

Protective chemicals in wholegrains

Wholegrain cereals contain many different phytochemicals that have been linked to significant health benefits. These phytochemicals include:

(1) Lignans – can lower the risk of coronary heart disease, and slow or turn back cancers in animals.

(2) Phytic acid – reduces the glycaemic index (GI) of food, which is important for people with diabetes, and helps protect against the development of cancer cells in the colon.

(3) Saponins, Phytosterols, Squalene, Oryzanol, Tocotrienols  – have been found to lower blood cholesterol

(4) Phenolic compounds – have antioxidant effects.