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NUTR*3330 – Phytosterols Exam Questions
With Verified Answers
What are phytosterols? - Answers✔Plant derived sterols that are similar in structure to
cholesterol
Most common phytosterols - Answers✔- Beta-sitosterol
- Campesterol
- Stigmasterol
Subdivisions of phytosterols - Answers✔Phytosterols and phytostanols
Subdivision phytosterols - Answers✔Sterols with double bonds at position 5 and are more
common.
Subdivision phytostanols - Answers✔Saturated derivatives of phytosterols with a reduction of
the double bond, and are less common.
Food source for cholesterol and phytosterols - Answers✔Chol: Animal foods
Phyto: Plant foods
Why is not a concern that both Chol. and Phyto. are atherogenic? - Answers✔Only 1-15% of
phyto. intake is absorbed
Main health focuses for phytosterols - Answers✔CVD
Cancer
Immunity
How do phytosterols help CVD? - Answers✔Reduction of blood lipids
- Total and LDL cholesterol
How do phytosterols/stanols lower cholesterol? - Answers✔Phyto. is more hydrophobic than
cholesterol and therefore has a higher affinity for micelles. Phyto. competes with cholesterol
resulting in displacement of cholesterol from the micelles into the feces
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