Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Abstract Background Phytosterols (PSs), plant-like organic structures with close similarity to cholesterol, might be useful therapeutically for hypertension, central obesity, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate t...
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01887-2 |
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| author | Faezeh Ghanbari-Gohari Mohammad Khaksari Ahmad Naghibzadeh-Tahami Ladan Amirkhosravi |
| author_facet | Faezeh Ghanbari-Gohari Mohammad Khaksari Ahmad Naghibzadeh-Tahami Ladan Amirkhosravi |
| author_sort | Faezeh Ghanbari-Gohari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Phytosterols (PSs), plant-like organic structures with close similarity to cholesterol, might be useful therapeutically for hypertension, central obesity, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of phytosterol supplementation on MetS components in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods A systematic search of RCTs published in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to October 18, 2023. was conducted according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items of the Guidelines for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement. The research was updated by January 3, 2025. A total of 14 RCTS of PS intervention on MetS factor were included in a preliminary screening of the retrieved literature by Endnote 21. We assessed the quality of all included randomized controlled trials using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool. Results PS supplementation resulted in a modest improvement in MetS factors. In particular, fasting blood glucose decreased by about 2%, systolic blood pressure decreased by 3–5%, and triglyceride levels dropped by 19–24%. Waist circumference and HDL cholesterol changes were slight, negligible in most cases. Conclusion PS supplementation appears to improve blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and other features of MetS. These findings differ from study to study, and treatment periods were frequently shorter. To fully comprehend the long-term advantages, further well-designed research is required. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61bc7cfb30634f178f48f2255cdbba80 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1758-5996 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome |
| spelling | doaj-art-61bc7cfb30634f178f48f2255cdbba802025-08-20T03:44:06ZengBMCDiabetology & Metabolic Syndrome1758-59962025-08-0117111510.1186/s13098-025-01887-2Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trialsFaezeh Ghanbari-Gohari0Mohammad Khaksari1Ahmad Naghibzadeh-Tahami2Ladan Amirkhosravi3Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical SciencesPhysiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical ScienceEndocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Kerman University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Phytosterols (PSs), plant-like organic structures with close similarity to cholesterol, might be useful therapeutically for hypertension, central obesity, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia, which are components of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of phytosterol supplementation on MetS components in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods A systematic search of RCTs published in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar up to October 18, 2023. was conducted according to the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items of the Guidelines for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) statement. The research was updated by January 3, 2025. A total of 14 RCTS of PS intervention on MetS factor were included in a preliminary screening of the retrieved literature by Endnote 21. We assessed the quality of all included randomized controlled trials using the Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias tool. Results PS supplementation resulted in a modest improvement in MetS factors. In particular, fasting blood glucose decreased by about 2%, systolic blood pressure decreased by 3–5%, and triglyceride levels dropped by 19–24%. Waist circumference and HDL cholesterol changes were slight, negligible in most cases. Conclusion PS supplementation appears to improve blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and other features of MetS. These findings differ from study to study, and treatment periods were frequently shorter. To fully comprehend the long-term advantages, further well-designed research is required.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01887-2PhytosterolsDietary supplementsLipid metabolismWaist circumferenceBlood glucose levelBlood pressure |
| spellingShingle | Faezeh Ghanbari-Gohari Mohammad Khaksari Ahmad Naghibzadeh-Tahami Ladan Amirkhosravi Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome Phytosterols Dietary supplements Lipid metabolism Waist circumference Blood glucose level Blood pressure |
| title | Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full | Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_fullStr | Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_short | Impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| title_sort | impact of phytosterol supplementation on metabolic syndrome factors a systematic review of randomized controlled trials |
| topic | Phytosterols Dietary supplements Lipid metabolism Waist circumference Blood glucose level Blood pressure |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13098-025-01887-2 |
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