Efficacia e Sicurezza du'Uso Degli Alimenti Contenenti Fitosteroli (Efficacy and Safety of Phytosterol-Enriched Foods)

摘要

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries and lifestyle changes, especially of dietary habits, are considered the basis of any intervention aimed at reducing blood cholesterol. Phytosterols are plant compounds, whose cholesterol lowering properties have been known since the early 50s. In recent years, the consumption of phytosterols has gained the attention of both the scientific community and the consumers and it is now available a large number of enriched foods. Considering that the spread of these products is not always accompanied by an objective and comprehensive information, this publication aims to make the point of the current scientific knowledge about efficacy and safe use of foods enriched with phytosterols.