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BioBest Plant Sterols

  • What is this new product, BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols, and how is it different from other yogourts?

    BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is a new probiotic yogourt with added plant sterols being launched in Canada under the BioBest brand by Parmalat Canada. It is the first probiotic yogourt in Canada with added Plant Sterols. Plant Sterols have been shown to help lower cholesterol. Each 100g serving of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols, or each 90mL serving of BioBest probiotic drinkable yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 50% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults.

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  • Have studies been performed to prove plant sterols help lower cholesterol?

    Yes, the plant sterols sourced for our BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols have been involved in the following studies:

    1. ABUMWEIS SS (2006): Intake of a single morning dose of standard and novel plant sterol preparations for 4 weeks does not dramatically affect plasma lipid concentrations in humans. J Nutr 136: 1012-1016
    2. BERGER A ET AL. (2004): Plant sterols: factors affecting their efficacy and safety as functional food ingredients. Lipids Health Dis 3:5
    3. CLIFTON PM ET AL. (2004): Cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterol esters differ in milk, yoghurt, bread and cereal. Eur J Clin Nutr 58: 503-509
    4. DEVARAJ S ET AL. (2004): Plant sterol-fortified orange juice effectively lowers cholesterol levels in mildly hypercholesterolemic healthy individuals. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24: e25-e28
    5. GONÇALVES S, ET AL. (2006) PHYTOSTEROLS IN MILK AS A DEPRESSOR OF PLASMA CHOLESTEROL LEVELS: EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE WITH HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIC PORTUGUESE SUBJECTS.CLIN HEMORHEOL MICROCIRC 35(1-2):251-5
    6. HAYES KC, ET AL. (2004).NONESTERIFIED PHYTOSTEROLS DISSOLVED AND RECRYSTALLIZED IN OIL REDUCE PLASMA CHOLESTEROL IN GERBILS AND HUMANS. J. NUTR. 134: 1395–1399
    7. KATAN MB ET AL. (2003): Efficacy and safety of plant stanols and sterols in the management of blood cholesterol levels. Mayo Clin Proc 78: 965-978
    8. KORPELA R ET AL. (2006): Safety aspects and cholesterol-lowering efficacy of low fat dairy products containing plant sterols. Eur J Clin Nutr 60: 503-642
    9. LAU VWY ET AL. (2005): Plant sterols are efficacious in lowering plasma LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic and nondiabetic persons. Am J Clin Nutr 81: 1351-1358
    10. PELLETIER X, ET AL. (1995) A DIET MODERATELY ENRICHED IN PHYTOSTEROLS LOWERS PLASMA CHOLESTEROL CONCENTRATIONS IN NORMOCHOLESTERLEMIC HUMANS. ANNA. NUTR. METAB. 39: 291-95
    11. TIKKANEN MJ ET AL. (2001): Effect of a diet on low-fat foods enriched with nonesterifed plant sterols and mineral nutrients on serum cholesterol. Am J Cardiol 88: 1157-1162
    12. VOLPE R ET AL. (2001): Effects of yoghurt enriched with plant sterols on serum lipids in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. Br J Nutr 86: 233-239
    13. WESTRADE JA ET AL. (1998): Plant sterol enriched margarines and reduction of plasma total- and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in normocholesterolemic and mildly hypercholesterolemic subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 52: 334-343
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  • What are plant sterols? How does this yogourt lower cholesterol levels?

    Plant sterols, sometimes called phytosterols, are substances naturally found in plant-based foods and have been in our diet for thousands of years. Plant sterols are naturally found in many foods, such as fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, legumes, nuts, and grains.

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  • Is high cholesterol an issue for Canadians?

    Yes, Health Canada warns that approximately 50 per cent of Canadians aged 20 to 79 have high cholesterol . High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease.

    Statistics Canada. Canadian Health Measures Survey. March 2010.
    http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/100323/dq100323a-eng.htm

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  • Are all food manufacturers adding plant sterols to their products?

    No. In May 2010, Health Canada allowed the addition of plant sterols to a certain group of food products including yogourt and yogourt drinks, up to a level of 1g per serving.

    Health Canada. Notice of Assessment of Certain Categories of Foods Containing Added Phytosterols. May 2010.
    http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/gmf-agm/appro/phytosterols-eng.php

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  • Why haven’t I heard about plant sterols before if they’re widely known for their cholesterol-lowering properties?

    Scientists have known about the cholesterol lowering properties of plant sterols for many years; however up until now Canadians could only obtain plant sterols in food products by consuming fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes.

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  • What is the quantity of plant sterols a person must consume daily in order to benefit from its cholesterol-lowering attributes?

    The daily amount of plant sterols shown to reduce cholesterol in adults is 2g. Each 100g of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols, or each 90mL serving of BioBest probiotic drinkable yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 50% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults. Each serving of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 1g of plant sterols per container.

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  • What are the benefits of eating BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols everyday?

    Plant sterols help lower cholesterol. Each 100g of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols, or each 90mL serving of BioBest probiotic drinkable yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 50% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults.

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  • What is the amount of plant sterols in each serving of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols?

    Each 100g serving (1 container) of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 1g or 50% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults.

    Each 90mL serving (1 container) of BioBest probiotic drinkable yogourt with Plant Sterols provides 1g or 50% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults.

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  • Are there any other benefits to eating this yogourt?

    Astro BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is low in fat, low in saturated and trans fats, is naturally sweetened, and contains 7 essential vitamins and minerals and is kosher and gelatin free. In addition, each 100g serving contains 1 billion active probiotic cultures, 500 million CFU Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and 500 million CFU Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07. Probiotics that contribute to healthy digestive tract flora.

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  • Is BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols a probiotics yogourt?

    Yes, BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is a probiotic yogourt. Each serving of BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols contains 1 billion probiotic bacteria, 500 million CFU Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM and 500 million CFU Bifobacterium Lactis Bi-07.

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  • Is BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols kosher? Does it contain gelatin?

    BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is kosher and does not contain gelatin.

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  • Do the plant sterols affect the taste of the yogourt?

    No. Just like all BioBest yogourts, BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols has a rich, creamy, yogourt texture and delicious fruit pieces mixed right in. It’s creamy and delicious.

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  • Who can consume BioBest Plant Sterols?

    BioBest probiotics yogourt with Plant Sterols is intended for consumption by adults worried about their cholesterol levels. Health Canada has indicated that it is safe for adults to consume an upper limit of 3g of plant sterols per day and for children to consume an upper limit of 1g of plant sterols per day.

    Health Canada. Plant Sterols and Blood Cholesterol Lowering. May 2010.
    http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/claims-reclam/assess-evalu/phytosterols-eng.php

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  • Can I cook with BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols?

    Yes. Applying heat to BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols does not diminish the positive effects of plant sterols on your cholesterol levels. They are perfect in your favourite recipes. Visit astro.ca for recipe ideas using BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols.

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  • What flavours of BioBest Plant Sterols are available, and in what formats can I buy them?

    BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is available in four delicious, creamy flavours. Offered in multipacks containing 8×100g servings you can enjoy BioBest with Plant Sterols in combinations of Strawberry/Vanilla and Raspberry/Blueberry.

    BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is also available in a drinkable format. Offered in multipacks containing 8 × 90ml servings, enjoy BioBest probiotic drinkable yogourt with Plant Sterols in a variety of 3 flavours: Strawberry, Peach Mango or Raspberry Vanilla.

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  • Will you eventually include plant sterols in all of your yogourt products?

    At this time, BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols is the only yogourt available in Canada with the added benefit of plant sterols. We pride ourselves on our commitment to providing healthy options for Canadian consumers with a diverse product line of yogourts with additional benefits above and beyond digestive health.

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  • Where and when can I start buying BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols?

    BioBest probiotic yogourt with Plant Sterols are now available in at major retailers and grocery stores in Canada, wherever Astro BioBest products are sold. Ask the Dairy Manager at your local grocery store if you don’t see it in the dairy case where you shop.

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