Home Ingredients Advasterol® (Plant Sterols — Kensing)
Cardiovascular

Advasterol® (Plant Sterols — Kensing)

Evidence Level
Strong
1 Clinical Trial
2 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

Advasterol® is a plant sterol (phytosterol) ingredient brand from Kensing. Plant sterols are cholesterol-like compounds found in vegetable oils and grains that compete with cholesterol for absorption in the gut. A meta-analysis of 124 controlled studies found that plant sterol and stanol intakes of about 0.6 to 3.3 grams a day lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 6 to 12 percent, with the effect growing up to about 3 grams a day. Those trials tested plant sterols as a class, not Advasterol specifically. Randomized trials have not yet tested whether plant sterols reduce heart attacks or strokes, and they are meant to be used alongside a heart-healthy diet.

Studied Dose Plant sterol and stanol trials used about 0.6 to 3.3 grams per day with meals, with LDL lowering growing up to about 3 grams; about 2 grams per day is a common target. These doses come from trials of plant sterols as a class.
Active Compound Plant sterols (phytosterols), mainly beta-sitosterol and campesterol, with smaller amounts of related sterols.

Benefits

Healthy cholesterol

A meta-analysis of 124 controlled studies found that 0.6 to 3.3 grams a day of plant sterols and stanols lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 6 to 12 percent, with larger drops at higher intakes up to about 3 grams. The studies tested plant sterols as a class, not Advasterol specifically.

Supported by Trial 1

Heart health as part of a balanced diet

Foods and supplements with added plant sterols are a common nonprescription way to support healthy LDL cholesterol alongside diet changes. Randomized trials have not yet tested whether they lower heart attack or stroke rates, and some genetic studies link high blood plant sterol levels with heart disease, so the long-term picture is still open.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Blocked cholesterol absorption

Plant sterols compete with cholesterol for uptake in the intestine, reducing the amount of dietary and biliary cholesterol absorbed.

2

Increased LDL clearance

With less cholesterol arriving from the gut, the liver takes up more LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Clinical trials

1
Plant Sterol and Stanol Doses and LDL Cholesterol (Meta-Analysis)
PubMed

Meta-analysis of 124 randomized controlled studies (201 dose groups) of plant sterols, plant stanols or both, at an average dose of 2.1 g/day. (Ras et al. 2014, Br J Nutr)

Participants in randomized controlled studies of plant sterol or stanol intake, at doses from 0.2 to 9.0 g/day.

Intakes of 0.6 to 3.3 g/day lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 6 to 12 percent, with the effect continuing to grow up to about 3 g/day (average 12 percent). Plant sterols and stanols showed similar dose responses. Doses above 4 g/day were too few to pool. Two of the three authors worked for Unilever R&D.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated at recommended intakes.
Plant sterols can lower blood levels of some carotenoids such as beta-carotene; eating more fruits and vegetables offsets this.
Long-term safety has not been tested in randomized trials, and genetic studies link high blood plant sterol levels with heart disease, so stay near studied doses.

Important Drug interactions

Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins or ezetimibe: tell your doctor you use plant sterols so your lipid results can be read correctly.
Sitosterolemia, a rare inherited condition of high plant sterol absorption: avoid plant sterol products.

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Frequently asked questions about Advasterol® (Plant Sterols — Kensing)

What is Advasterol?

Advasterol® is a plant sterol (phytosterol) ingredient brand from Kensing. Plant sterols are cholesterol-like compounds found in vegetable oils and grains that compete with cholesterol for absorption in the gut. A meta-analysis of 124 controlled studies found that plant sterol and stanol intakes of about 0.6 to 3.

What is Advasterol used for?

Advasterol is researched primarily for Cardiovascular. A meta-analysis of 124 controlled studies found that 0.6 to 3.3 grams a day of plant sterols and stanols lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 6 to 12 percent, with larger drops at higher intakes up to about 3 grams.

What is the recommended dosage of Advasterol?

The clinically studied dose is Plant sterol and stanol trials used about 0.6 to 3.3 grams per day with meals, with LDL lowering growing up to about 3 grams; about 2 grams per day is a common target. These doses come from trials of plant sterols as a class. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Advasterol safe, and does it have side effects?

Side effects and cautions reported for Advasterol include: Generally well tolerated at recommended intakes. Plant sterols can lower blood levels of some carotenoids such as beta-carotene; eating more fruits and vegetables offsets this. It may also interact with some medications. Advasterol is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Advasterol interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as statins or ezetimibe: tell your doctor you use plant sterols so your lipid results can be read correctly. Sitosterolemia, a rare inherited condition of high plant sterol absorption: avoid plant sterol products. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Advasterol?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Advasterol as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 1 study summary and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Ras RT, Geleijnse JM, Trautwein EA. LDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of plant sterols and stanols across different dose ranges: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled studies. Br J Nutr. 2014;112(2):214-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007114514000750.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 124 randomized controlled studies: plant sterol and stanol intakes of 0.6 to 3.3 g/day lowered LDL cholesterol by an average of 6 to 12 percent, rising with dose to about 12 percent near 3 g/day. Authors include Unilever R&D employees.
  2. Barkas F, Bathrellou E, Nomikos T, Panagiotakos D, Liberopoulos E, Kontogianni MD. Plant Sterols and Plant Stanols in Cholesterol Management and Cardiovascular Prevention. Nutrients. 2023;15(13):2845. doi: 10.3390/nu15132845.PubMedUsed to support: Review stating that the LDL cholesterol lowering effect of plant sterols is well established, that randomized trials of long-term safety and cardiovascular events are lacking, and that plant sterols can lower carotenoid levels, which more fruit and vegetables can offset.