As a bioactive substance,phytosterol reduces blood cholesterol and the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also has such physiological functions as growth regulation,promotion of protein synthesis,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,anticancer,immune regulation and hormone-like effects. Phytosterol does not show any toxicity to human and animals,and it is a new functional feed additive approved by the Ministry of Agriculture of China. This article generally reviewed the physiological function of phytosterol like regulation of cholesterol metabolism,antioxidation,hormone-like effects,and its application on animal production like hypolipidemic and improving dairy animals' milk composition. The paper provides a reference for wide application of phytosterol in animal feed.
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