Plant sterols, found in Benecol and Flora proactive, are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease

Hi Graham! Another nail in the coffin for these frankenshite products that are labelled as health foods eh? Would rather eat 2 week old horseshit off a broken plate then touch these scary science experiments!

Cheers

Paul

It has been known for years they are a health hazard. From the Dr.Briffa blog http://www.drbriffa.com/2011/04/25/healthy-cholesterol-reducing-compounds-found-to-be-toxic-to-heart-cells/

‘Healthy’ cholesterol-reducing compounds found to be toxic to heart cells

by Dr John Briffa on 25 April 2011 in Healthy Eating, Specific conditions, Unhealthy Eating!
‘Phytosterols’ are compounds that can impair the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. In this way, ‘sterols’ (as their name is often abbreviated to) can reduce cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, which conventional wisdom dictates is always a good thing. Sterols are added to ‘functional foods’ including special margarines that promise cholesterol-reducing and, therefore, health-enhancing properties.

However, the reality is that the impact a drug or foodstuff has on cholesterol levels is quite irrelevant – it’s its impact on health that is important. This distinction is critically important: Arsenic and cyanide might reduce cholesterol levels, but that does not make them healthy things to consume.

I was interested to read about a recent study in which the effect of sterols on rat heart cells was assessed [1]. The cells were exposed to levels of sterols commonly found in the bodies of individuals ingesting sterols. The cells ended up incorporating the sterols at the expense of cholesterol. However, at the same time, the metabolic activity of the heart cells decreased, as did their capacity for growth. In short, exposing heart cells to sterols appears to, err, poison them.

The authors point out, that the results of this study cannot necessarily be translated into conclusions about the effect of these compounds on heart health, but add that the findings “raise[s] concerns about the safety of long-term exposure to physiologically relevant PS [phytosterol] concentrations.”

References:

1. Danesi F, et al. Phytosterol supplementation reduces metabolic activity and slows cell growth in cultured rat cardiomyocytes. British Journal of Nutrition 20 April 2011 [epub]

Paul1976 wrote:Hi Graham! Another nail in the coffin for these frankenshite products that are labelled as health foods eh? Would rather eat 2 week old horseshit off a broken plate then touch these scary science experiments!

Cheers

Paul

The health claims of Flora have been overstated for years, with millions spent on promoting their products people were duped by the claims that their products were healthier than butter when in fact until recently they were loaded with industrial trans fat, now instead they add yet another dubious substance  

It's not the first time the use of plant sterols have been under the spotlight.

I was recommended to take these for a while so I did try them then decided naaahhhh!
Horrifying really. Love the Frankenshite comment. Thanks for drawing attention to this.

When did you last see a Flora advert on the box? Unilever have dumped it and trying to sell it off. They know it makes sense and are not going to fight it

"It spent decades in the nutritional wilderness, blamed for heart disease, high cholesterol, and making people fat. But butter is back – and if you don’t believe us, ask the consumer goods colossus Unilever.

Billion-pound brands such as Flora have been at the heart of the Anglo-Dutch giant since its inception nearly a century ago. But the appetite for margarine seems to be melting around the world, forcing Unilever to admit defeat in the war against butter.

Last autumn, the company added butter to one of its spreads for the first time. Last week, Unilever said the move was paying off: although margarine sales were still down during its fourth quarter, shoppers in Germany had “responded  positively” to the new-taste, “butter-based” Rama."

Only a low carb anti or the average dietitian would eat the junk.

Link to info http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/butter-is-back-margarine-giant-admits-defeat-in-the-battle-of-the-spreads-9085486.html

Now you come to mention it I can't remember the last time I saw a margarine advert.

Mrs Vimes wrote:Now you come to mention it I can't remember the last time I saw a margarine advert.

The genie is out of the bottle and will never go back. People are wise-ing up fast to what is junk and what is real food. All we need to do is re-educate the average dietitian and we have cracked it.

Good luck with that one. Mine looked just plain shocked when I said the only carbs I ate came from veg. "But we don't count them."

It sure as hell beats me why dietitians are so obsessed that we eat 'Beige foods' such as bread,spuds,pasta etc...They contain far less nutrients than the colourful veggies we eat...You'd think they'd be applauding us for eating the colours of the rainbow!

graham64 wrote:

Paul1976 wrote:Hi Graham! Another nail in the coffin for these frankenshite products that are labelled as health foods eh? Would rather eat 2 week old horseshit off a broken plate then touch these scary science experiments!

Cheers

Paul

The health claims of Flora have been overstated for years, with millions spent on promoting their products people were duped by the claims that their products were healthier than butter when in fact until recently they were loaded with industrial trans fat, now instead they add yet another dubious substance  

It's not the first time the use of plant sterols have been under the spotlight.

I used to wind Duggie up on the flog about future 'Margarine mountains'...Looks like that's very likely now!

I have seen 'Gold' advertised which apparently is margarine with added butter - I ask you - what is wrong with just butter ........

 Well - I for one am sticking with butter and lard and olive oil .........  

All the best Jan