Sterols are found in plants, microorganisms, and animals. They are essential components of cell membranes and play a role in various biological processes, including the regulation of cholesterol levels in the body. Common sterols include cholesterol (found in animals), sitosterol and campesterol (found in plants), and ergosterol (found in microorganisms). These compounds contribute to maintaining cell structure and function, and plant sterols, in particular, have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels when included in the diet.
Plant sterols play a crucial role in the body by helping to lower cholesterol levels. They compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system, thereby reducing the amount of cholesterol that enters the bloodstream. This can have a positive impact on heart health and may help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
There is no specific recommended daily intake for sterols. However, it is recommended to consume a diet that includes a variety of plant-based foods to naturally incorporate sterols into your diet. It's important to focus on overall healthy eating patterns rather than specific amounts of individual components like sterols.
Sterols, such as sitosterol and campesterol, have been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
While sterols such as cholesterol are essential for various bodily functions, including hormone production and cell membrane formation, high levels of cholesterol, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, pose significant health risks. Elevated LDL cholesterol can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis. This can narrow and harden the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes. High cholesterol levels can also contribute to hypertension and increase the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
A low intake of plant sterols may lead to higher levels of LDL cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease. It's important to include sources of sterols such as vegetable oils, nuts, seeds, and whole grains in your diet to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
Vegans can obtain sterols from a variety of plant-based sources such as nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes.
Beef, brain, cooked, simmered
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
3,100.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, brain, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
3,100.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, brain, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
3,010.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, brain, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
2,504.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, brain, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
2,195.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, brain, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
2,120.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, brain, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
2,043.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, brain, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
1,995.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, brain, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
1,590.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, brain, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
1,352.00mg per 100 grams
Cranberry, dried, cranberry powder
Type: Food
Snacks -> Nuts, seeds and dried fruits
Sterols
890.00mg per 100 grams
Egg, duck, whole, fresh, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Chicken and other birds
Sterols
884.00mg per 100 grams
Sesame oil, salad or cooking
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Oils
Sterols
865.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, kidneys, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
791.00mg per 100 grams
Corn oil, maize oil
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Oils
Sterols
783.50mg per 100 grams
Beef, kidneys, cooked, simmered
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
716.00mg per 100 grams
Rapeseed oil
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Oils
Sterols
695.50mg per 100 grams
Rapeseed oil, cold pressed
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Oils
Sterols
695.50mg per 100 grams
Lamb, kidneys, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
565.00mg per 100 grams
Chicken, liver, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
564.00mg per 100 grams
Chicken, liver, cooked, simmered
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
563.00mg per 100 grams
Mayonnaise, 80% fat
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Salad dressings and mayonnaises
Sterols
549.45mg per 100 grams
Duck, domesticated, liver, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
515.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, liver, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
511.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
504.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, liver, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
501.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, liver, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
493.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, liver, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
485.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, kidneys, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
480.00mg per 100 grams
Mayonnaise, egg-free
Type: Dish
Fat and fat products -> Salad dressings and mayonnaises
Sterols
454.56mg per 100 grams
Veal, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
447.00mg per 100 grams
Cooking fat, average
Type: Dish
Fat and fat products -> Cooking and industrial fat
Sterols
420.37mg per 100 grams
Wheat germ
Type: Food
Cereals and cereal products -> Flour
Sterols
411.40mg per 100 grams
Beef, kidneys, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
411.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, pancreas, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
400.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, liver, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
396.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, lungs, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
387.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
385.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, liver, cooked, pan-fried
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
381.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, liver, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
371.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, kidneys, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
364.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, spleen, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
363.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, liver, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
355.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, thymus, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
350.00mg per 100 grams
Beef, spleen, cooked, braised
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
347.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, spleen, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
340.00mg per 100 grams
Lamb, kidneys, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
337.00mg per 100 grams
Veal, liver, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
334.00mg per 100 grams
Oil, cottonseed, salad or cooking
Type: Food
Fat and fat products -> Oils
Sterols
324.00mg per 100 grams
Pork, lungs, raw
Type: Food
Meat dishes -> Offal dishes
Sterols
320.00mg per 100 grams
What you eat matters.