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J. Lynne Brown, PhD, RD Responds:
J. Lynne Brown, PhD, RD, associate professor of food science at Pennsylvania State University, responds: First there was butter. Then there was margarine. Now a new breed of spreads offer cholesterol-lowering benefits. These spreads contain plant sterols or plant stanols—naturally occurring compounds in vegetable and plant oils that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract. If the spreads are eaten according to package instructions and in conjunction with a diet low in cholesterol and saturated fat, they help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed and may help lower total and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels. There are a few different margarine-like spread products on the market. Some contain plant sterols and others contain plant stanols. The amount of sterols or stanols required to lower cholesterol is different, so make sure you consume the recommended amount—usually two to four servings a day—in place of your usual spread. Some can be used in cooking or baking, but others cannot. Check the labels for recommendations about use and serving size.
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J. Lynne Brown
PhD, RD
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