Foodwatch warns of cholesterol-lowering margarine

Foodwatch advocates sales stop of margarine with plant sterols

10.11.2011

In a recent campaign, the consumer protection organization Foodwatch warns against margarine, which is supposed to lower cholesterol levels with the help of plant sterols (phytosterols). The cholesterol-lowering plant sterols should not be used for self-medication due to possible side effects, according to the latest communication from the consumer protection organization.

If you have problems with your cholesterol or blood lipid levels, you should urgently see a doctor and not try to get rid of questionable food products to get the problem under control, Foodwatch said. Because the supposed cholesterol-lowering, such as enriched with phytosterols margarine, can sometimes cause significant side effects. Those who have no problems with their cholesterol, should therefore absolutely refrain from corresponding products, so the current warning from Foodwatch.

Side effects of cholesterol-lowering margarine
Stone of the toasting is the margarine for Foodwatch „Becel pro activ“ the manufacturer Unilever, which promises with the contained phytosterols to lower the cholesterol level and thus reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the consumer protection organization „Becel pro activ does not seem to be a nasty food, but most of all a medicine.“ However, the high concentration of plant sterols may cause significant side effects, especially as the recommended daily dose on the package contains so much phytosterols „like about 5.5 kilograms of broccoli or 16 kilograms of bananas“, declared Foodwatch. Why the margarine is sold with its drug-like effect in the supermarket and not in the pharmacy, is incomprehensible from the point of view of the consumer protection organization. In addition, numerous experts such as Dr. med. Oliver Weingärtner from the Saarland University in Homburg on the Saar has long been pointing out possible health risks of increased phytosterol intake. According to Weingärtner, a series of experimental and clinical studies have shown clear signs that phytosterols may be deposited in the organism and may even have negative effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Controversial effect on the risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks
In addition, Foodwatch stressed that „between impact and benefit a huge difference“ consists. The cholesterol-lowering effect of phytosterols is indeed clear, but whether this actually associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and heart attacks, was not yet clarified. This leaves the health benefits of the products open. However, as cholesterol levels have been shown to decrease, those with normal blood lipid levels should generally abstain from margarine with phytosterols, the consumer organization said. However, the allegedly healthy margarine in the opinion of the consumer advocates and persons with high cholesterol levels are not readily recommended. Although the manufacturer Unilever stressed in response to the current Foodwatch campaign that „the cholesterol-lowering effect of the products in over 40 studies has been proven and indisputable“ was, but Foodwatch complained that „the Group does not point out the potential health risks.“ In addition, contrary to Unilever's claim that the reduction in low density lipoprotein (LDL, cholesterol transport vehicle in the organism) achieved via phytosterols in principle does not reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, it has until now proven that it has a corresponding effect. In the position of Foodwatch also the statement of Unilever, the positive effect is proven for all methods of the Cholesterinsenkung, changed little. (Fp)

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