Journal Article

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind Crossover Study to Assess a Unique Phytosterol Ester Formulation in Lowering LDL Cholesterol Utilizing a Novel Virtual Tracking Tool

Hewlings, Susan, Rein, Dietrich, Reaver, Ashley, Westerman, Kenneth, Schmeller, Thorsten, Blander, Gil, Heer, Marianne

2019

Overview

Elevated blood concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc) is a primary risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions including an increase in dietary phytosterols as well as medications have proven effective in lowering LDLc. The primary objective of this randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, crossover study was to determine the impact of a new phytosterol emulsion for dietary supplements (1.5 g/day phytosterol equivalents) on LDLc concentrations. Thirty-two healthy adults were randomly assigned to receive placebo or treatment followed by a washout period, followed by placebo or treatment, each phase lasting one month. Secondary endpoints related to cardiovascular health were also assessed. Study management, including screening, recruitment, monitoring, compliance, and data collection, were done remotely (a siteless clinical trial) utilizing a novel virtual tool. Phytosterol supplementation significantly lowered LDLc concentrations by 10.2% (16.17 mg/dL or 0.419 mmol/L, p = 0.008 by paired t-test, p = 0.014 by Wilcoxon signed rank testing). No secondary biomarkers were found to change significantly. Supplementation with phytosterols in a new dietary supplement formulation efficiently and safely decreases LDLc within one month in a free-living setting.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Adult / adults / Aged / Anticholesteremic Agents - administration & dosage / Anticholesteremic Agents - chemistry / Atherosclerosis / biomarkers / Biomarkers - blood / blood / Caco-2 Cells / Cardiology / Cardiovascular disease / cardiovascular diseases / Cholesterol / Cholesterol, LDL - blood / clinical trials / compliance / Consumption / Cost control / Cross-Over Studies / data collection / Diet / Dietary Supplements / Double-Blind Method / Double-blind studies / Down-Regulation / Drug Compounding / Drug dosages / Drug Monitoring - instrumentation / Drug therapy / Emulsions / Female / Healthy Volunteers / Humans / lifestyle / Low density lipoprotein / low density lipoprotein cholesterol / Male / Medication Adherence / Meta-analysis / Middle Aged / monitoring / Nutrition research / phytosterols / Phytosterols - administration & dosage / Phytosterols - chemistry / placebos / risk factors / screening / Statins / Sterols / Surfactants / Systematic review / t-test / Time Factors