Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods)

Evidence Level
Strong
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

Lipophytol® is a water-dispersible, microencapsulated plant sterol ingredient from Lipofoods (a Lubrizol company). Microencapsulation lets these cholesterol-lowering plant sterols mix easily into foods and supplements. Plant sterols are among the best-established ingredients for lowering LDL cholesterol.

Studied Dose About 1.5 to 3 grams of plant sterols per day with meals.
Active Compound Microencapsulated, water-dispersible plant sterols (phytosterols), up to 90% sterol content.

Benefits

Lower LDL cholesterol

Plant sterols at about 1.5 to 3 grams per day lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by roughly 8 to 15%, a benefit recognized by regulators and reviews.

Cardiovascular prevention

By lowering LDL cholesterol, plant sterols support long-term cardiovascular health as part of a heart-healthy diet.

Easy formulation

Microencapsulation makes the normally hard-to-use sterols water-dispersible, so they blend smoothly into drinks and foods.

Mechanism of action

1

Blocked cholesterol absorption

Plant sterols compete with cholesterol for uptake in the intestine, reducing how much dietary and biliary cholesterol is absorbed.

2

Increased LDL clearance

Lower absorption prompts the liver to pull more LDL cholesterol from the blood.

Clinical trials

1
Plant Sterols and Cholesterol — Evidence Review
PubMed

Review of plant sterols and stanols in cholesterol management and cardiovascular prevention. (Barkas et al. 2023, Nutrients)

Adults across the evidence base.

About 2 grams per day of plant sterols consistently lowered LDL cholesterol, supporting cardiovascular prevention.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

GENERALLY WELL-TOLERATED at recommended intakes.
May slightly lower absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids; eat plenty of produce.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.

Important Drug interactions

Ezetimibe — both reduce cholesterol absorption; consult your doctor.
Plant sterols complement statins; tell your doctor you use them.
People with sitosterolemia should avoid plant sterols.

Frequently asked questions about Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods)

What is Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods)?

Lipophytol® is a water-dispersible, microencapsulated plant sterol ingredient from Lipofoods (a Lubrizol company). Microencapsulation lets these cholesterol-lowering plant sterols mix easily into foods and supplements. Plant sterols are among the best-established ingredients for lowering LDL cholesterol.

What is the recommended dosage of Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods)?

The clinically studied dose for Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) is About 1.5 to 3 grams of plant sterols per day with meals.. Always follow product labeling and consult a healthcare provider for personalized dosing recommendations.

What is Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) used for?

Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) is studied for lower ldl cholesterol, cardiovascular prevention, easy formulation. Plant sterols at about 1.5 to 3 grams per day lower LDL (bad) cholesterol by roughly 8 to 15%, a benefit recognized by regulators and reviews.

Are there side effects from taking Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods)?

Reported potential side effects may include: GENERALLY WELL-TOLERATED at recommended intakes. May slightly lower absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids; eat plenty of produce. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have underlying conditions or take medications.

Is Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) safe to take?

Whether Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) is safe depends on the dose, your overall health, and any medications you take. At studied doses, reported side effects can include: GENERALLY WELL-TOLERATED at recommended intakes. It may also interact with certain medications. Lipophytol® (Microencapsulated Plant Sterols — Lipofoods) is not suitable for everyone — consult a healthcare provider before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medications.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Barkas F, Bathrellou E, Nomikos T, et al. Plant Sterols and Plant Stanols in Cholesterol Management and Cardiovascular Prevention. Nutrients. 2023;15(13). doi: 10.3390/nu15132845..PubMedUsed to support: Review supporting LDL-cholesterol lowering by plant sterols (the active in Lipophytol).