Dear Healthy Friend,

Phytosterols are solid, unsaturated fat compounds that naturally occur in the fatty tissues of certain plants. And research has proven that they lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease. Now there's new research to show that they could help prevent and treat cancer too!

Christine O'Brien unravels that research for us today...

In the name of good health,

Taryn Strugnell
Managing Editor of Nutrition & Healing

P.S. We know that we all need fibre in our diet. But one reader asks the burning question... why? Dr Wright has the answer...

Help beat cancer with a heart supplement
Christine O’Brien
Contributor to Nutrition and Healing

You might already know that phytosterols could reduce cholesterol - just look at the grocery shelves and you'll see everything from margarine to breakfast cereals boasting their "heart healthy" addition.

Quite a few trials have demonstrated their ability to reduce cholesterol levels by 8-17%, significantly reducing the risk of heart disease.

But now there's even more good news.

A new review suggests phytosterols could do so much more - they could actually prevent cancer and cause cancer cells to die.

The review, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concluded that including phytosterols in your diet is an "important strategy in prevention and treatment of cancer".

Their cancer-fighting power could come from the action we already know phytosterols for - high blood cholesterol levels mean cancer cells don't die as easily, so lowering cholesterol keeps your body in top cancer-fighting shape.

In addition, it seems that they may activate an enzyme that causes cancer cells to basically commit suicide. Evidence from various trials shows that phytosterols have the potential to inhibit cancers of the stomach, lungs, ovaries and breasts.

The researchers recommend a daily intake of two grams of phytosterols each day and say there are no safety concerns at this dose.

What's the fibre-fuss all about?

Q: Everywhere I look, someone is telling me to get more fibre - why do I need it?

Dr. Wright: It's an excellent question! Terms like "antioxidants" and "fibre" are thrown around a lot in medical settings and all too often you’re never given an explanation

The term "fibre" refers to the parts of plant foods that your body can't digest or absorb. At first, it doesn't sound like it would be good for you. But clearly it is. You see, since your digestive enzymes can't break fibre down as it does other food compounds such as protein, fats and carbohydrates, it makes its way to your colon virtually unchanged. Which means it can usher out the by-products from the digestive process more easily.

And since your digestive system is one of your best defences against toxins and disease, it makes sense that the faster you can extract the nutrients, and get rid of what you don't need, the better.