Phytosterols - a new dietary aid for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia

It is estimated that ischaemic heart disease (IHD) will be the leading contributor to the global burden of disease in the future, moving from fifth place in 1990 to first in 2020. Changes in lifestyle such as increased smoking, sedentary occupations, adoption of high-fat, high animal protein diets and increased exposure to stressful urban situations will increase the risk of IHD and stroke. 2-4 It can be accepted that cardiovascular disease, already high among whites, coloureds and Indians, will become a major public health problem among all South Africans in the future.