Phytosterols - Cleveland Clinic says good for you. So does the AHA. But the French, German and English food and drug agencies say no.

What are phytosterols? Phyto means PLANTS. Sterol means an ALCOHOL (or ester) component added to CHOLESTEROL.

There are actually studies showing increased cardiovascular events in study participants with increased blood levels of phytosterols in the blood. There was no statement, however, that this came from dietary phytosterols.

The bottom line for me? I don't think there is enough evidence to take phytosterol supplements. But I also don't think there is enough evidence to warn patients off them.