Phytosterols-health benefits and potential concerns: a review

Phytosterols have been used as blood cholesterol-lowering agents for the last half century. They have been shown to be effective and safe. Originally presented as a pharmaceutical formulation, phytosterols are now being added to an increasing variety of foodstuffs. On occasion, questions have arisen concerning their safety, but at the present time and at the current level of usage, no adverse effects have been observed.