Flora pro.activ – clinically proven to lower cholesterol absorption

The conclusions of the review paper sit in stark contrast to more than 20 years of global clinical evidence that demonstrate the effectiveness of plant sterol enriched foods in lowering blood cholesterol. Plant sterols, the active ingredient in Flora pro.activ, have been known to lower cholesterol since the 1950s with more than 190 clinical studies across the world proving that they significantly lower LDL cholesterol. In fact, Flora pro.activ was one of the first products to pass the European Union’s new rigorous scientific standards regarding health claims on products – a testament to the weight of global scientific research that supports the effectiveness of plant sterol enriched foods.

These plant sterols work by partially blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the gut and are clinically proven to lower LDL cholesterol by an average of 10% and up to 15% when also moving to a healthy diet. Health experts agree that eating 2-2.5g of plant sterols daily as part of a healthy diet is optimal for cholesterol lowering through diet. Even smaller amounts can still have a benefit, albeit reduced.

Plant sterols are not a replacement for medication, however they are a useful additional treatment to cholesterol-lowering medications to enable further reductions. Studies prove that consuming plant sterols is the most effective dietary approach to lowering cholesterol.

Unilever does not set the retail price of its products; however spreads that contain plant sterol do typically cost more than other, standard spreads – a reflection of the premium cost of plant sterol ingredients and the research and development required to provide consumers with a choice of products that are scientifically proven to help maintain a healthy heart. The average retail price of a 500g tub of Flora pro-activ is equivalent to less than 50 cents a day – a small price to pay for a significant reduction in cholesterol absorption.

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