European journal of nutrition
A randomized study comparing plant sterol- and soluble fiber-enriched soymilk with plain soymilk in adults with elevated LDL cholesterol
By Buranapin S, Tejavanija S, Wongthanee A and 1 others.
Abstract
Background
Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is an effective strategy to reduce coronary heart disease risk. Plant sterols/stanols, soluble fiber, and soy protein have each shown LDL-C-lowering effects. This study compared the effects of plant sterol-and soluble fiber-enriched soymilk (SFSM) versus plain soymilk (SM) on LDL-C over 8 weeks.
Methods
A total of 242 adults aged ≥ 18 years with hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C > 130 mg/dL), either untreated or receiving stable lipid-lowering therapy were randomized to receive either plain soymilk (SM; n = 119) or plant sterol- and soluble fiber-enriched soymilk (SFSM; n = 123), with two 180-mL packs consumed daily for 8 weeks. Three participants discontinued the assigned intervention during the study (SM, n = 1; SFSM, n = 2); all three attended the week-2 visit and contributed post-baseline laboratory data, but had no week-8 measurements. Both products provided 5 g soy protein per 180-mL serving; SFSM additionally contained 1 g free plant sterol and 5 g inulin (soluble fiber), with a total dietary fiber content of 5.8 g per serving, corresponding to daily intakes of 2 g free plant sterol and 11.6 g total fiber. Fasting plasma glucose and lipid profiles were measured at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8. Dietary intake and physical activity were monitored throughout the study. The intention-to-treat analysis included all 242 randomized participants.