1) What is Becel pro.activ® calorie-reduced margarine with plant sterols?
Becel pro.activ® is the first plant sterol-fortified food available in Canada. Becel pro.activ® contains plant sterols which help to lower cholesterol. 2 teaspoons (10 g) of Becel pro.activ® provides 40% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults. High cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. By adding plant sterols contained in Becel pro.activ® , as part of an everyday heart healthy diet and lifestyle, Canadians can help lower their cholesterol.
2) How does Becel pro.activ® work?
Becel pro.activ® is fortified with plant sterols. Research has shown that adding 2-3 servings of foods fortified with plant sterols can help to lower cholesterol up to 10% starting within 3 weeks.
Plant sterols work by partly blocking the absorption of cholesterol from the gut. This results in a reduction in LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
To learn more about lowering your cholesterol, and plant sterols, visit www.becel.ca/proactiv/.
3) How much plant sterols do I need to eat to lower my cholesterol?
Many experts agree that eating 2 g of plant sterols daily as part of a healthy diet is recommended to help lower cholesterol. 2 teaspoons (10 g) of Becel pro.activ® provides 40% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults.
The cholesterol-lowering benefit of the plant sterols in Becel pro.activ® is maintained with regular use. For best results, consume 2-3 servings of foods fortified with plant sterols, like Becel pro.activ®,daily and move to a healthy diet.
Using Becel pro.activ® is just one component of a heart healthy diet and lifestyle, and it can easily be incorporated into your daily routine. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. For example:
- On your whole grain toast at breakfast;
- On whole grain bread when making a sandwich for lunch;
- On your steamed veggies at dinner.
4) What if I’m on medication?
Becel pro.activ® can be a part of your diet, even if you are diabetic or on cholesterol-lowering medication. Ask your health care professional for advice on all areas of your cholesterol-lowering plan.
5) Can I find plant sterols in other foods?
Yes. Fruits, vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, seeds and grains all contain plant sterols, but in small amounts. To get 2 grams of plant sterols, you would need to eat 425 tomatoes, 210 carrots, 150 apples or 83 oranges!
2 teaspoons (10 g) of Becel pro.activ® provides 40% of the daily amount of plant sterols shown to help lower cholesterol in adults. Eating 5 teaspoons (25 g) of Becel pro.activ® provides 2 grams of plant sterols.
6) Can my cholesterol level go down too much?
No. Becel pro.activ® lowers LDL (“bad”) cholesterol but does not affect the level of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Studies show that for most people there is a clear heart health benefit of lowering bad cholesterol levels, and there is no lower limit advised by doctors. You should always discuss your cholesterol goals with your doctor.
7) Is it enough to stop eating bad fats?
No. While eating less saturated and trans fats is an important heart healthy habit, there are other important dietary and lifestyle habits that are part of an overall heart healthy lifestyle, such as
- Following the advice in Canada’s Food Guide for a healthy and balanced diet;
- Eating a small amount of unsaturated fat each day, as recommended by Canada’s Food Guide – 30 to 45 mL (2 to 3 tbsp);
- Increasing the amount of fibre in your diet, especially soluble fibre;
- Giving up smoking;
- Managing stress;
- Being active every day;
- Aiming to be a healthy weight and shape.
8) What about foods that contain “no cholesterol”?
Most of the cholesterol in our body is made in the liver, and only a small amount comes from your diet. The amount of fat you eat has a greater effect on your blood cholesterol than the amount of dietary cholesterol you eat.
Eating too much saturated fat and trans fat can increase your blood cholesterol. For heart healthy eating, limit these fats and replace them more often with unsaturated fats.
9) Can I just eat Becel pro.activ® and not make any other changes to my diet?
No. To achieve optimal cholesterol lowering, Becel pro.activ® should be eaten as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. As part of a healthy diet, we should aim to
- Eat at least 7-10 servings of fruit or vegetables every day;
- Eat fatty fish (such as salmon, mackerel, sardines) twice a week;
- Choose whole grains more often;
- Grill, stir fry or microwave foods rather than frying or roasting;
- Choose a diet that is low in fat (especially saturated fat and trans fat), contains polyunsaturated fats (omega 3 and omega 6)
- Add less salt to your foods and choose sodium reduced and lower sodium foods more often
10) Who can use Becel pro.activ®?
Becel pro.activ® is for people who want to lower their cholesterol by following a heart healthy diet and lifestyle. Ask your health care professional for advice on all areas of your cholesterol-lowering plan.
11) How does this differ from other Becel products?
Only Becel pro.activ® contains plant sterols to help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. It is designed for people who are looking for help to lower their cholesterol.
12) Where do plant sterols come from?
The plant sterols used in Becel pro.activ® come from vegetable oils, such as sunflower seed, canola or soybean.