Shoppers are rushing to Boots to snap up a budget-friendly supplement that has been praised for its potential to help tackle high cholesterol. The retailer's own-brand Max Strength Plant Sterols are currently part of a one-day £10 Tuesday deal, slashing the price of a two-month supply to roughly 17p per capsule.
How Plant Sterols Work to Lower Cholesterol
The tablets contain plant sterols, natural compounds found in plants that are clinically proven to assist in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. They function by blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the intestines, which reduces the amount of harmful LDL cholesterol entering the bloodstream.
Clinical evidence indicates that consuming between 1.5 and 2.4 grams of plant sterols daily can lead to a reduction in LDL cholesterol of approximately 7-10%. Boots recommends taking two capsules per day as a convenient way to complement a balanced diet.
Shopper Reviews: Success Stories and Scepticism
Numerous customers have reported positive results after using the Boots supplement, often in conjunction with prescribed statin medication. One user stated their doctor was "surprised at how much my cholesterol had improved," while another, who cannot tolerate statins, credited the plant sterols with bringing their levels down over many years.
A detailed testimonial shared: "I have been taking two capsules daily now for two months, together with a low dose of statins. Blood tests have confirmed a reduction of my cholesterol level from 6.6 to 3.6." However, a small number of shoppers reported little change in their levels, and others found the capsule size challenging to swallow.
Should You Take Them With Statins?
Health experts emphasise that plant sterols are not a replacement for prescribed medication. According to British Heart Foundation dietitian Victoria Taylor, the two approaches work in different ways and can have a cumulative effect. "Statins reduce cholesterol production in the liver, while plant sterols block cholesterol absorption in the gut," she explained.
Combining them may offer a greater cholesterol reduction than simply increasing a statin dose alone. Crucially, it is not typically advised to take plant sterols instead of statins, as statins have a proven track record in reducing heart attack and stroke risk. The NHS and medical professionals always advise consulting your GP before starting any new supplement regimen.
For those seeking alternatives, similar products are available, such as Holland and Barrett's Cholestaguard Plant Sterols and Nature's Truth Plant Sterols from Superdrug. The broader approach to managing cholesterol naturally also includes a diet low in saturated fats, high in soluble fibre, regular exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight.
