Cholesterol Balance Markers (Sterols)
Specialistalso lathosterol, sitosterol, cholestanol
What it isA panel of plant sterols (absorbed from the diet) and cholesterol precursors (made in the body) that reveal whether a person's cholesterol comes mostly from absorption or from de novo synthesis.
DoesFingerprints the dominant source of circulating cholesterol — gut absorption versus liver production.
GoodA balanced profile suggests neither pathway is dramatically overactive.
BadHigh plant sterol fractions identify "absorbers" who respond better to cholesterol-absorption blockers; high lathosterol identifies "synthesizers" who respond better to statins. Mismatched treatment underperforms.
- Standard
- Lab-specific; pattern-based interpretation.
- Optimal
- Pattern-based, not a numeric target (narrow target)
- Modifiers
- Diet shifts plant sterols; statins suppress synthesis markers.
How to optimize
- Lifestyle
- —
- Diet
- Pattern-based — informs whether dietary sterols or saturated fat changes will matter more.
- Supplements
- Plant sterols help synthesizers more than absorbers; tailored to pattern.
- Peptides
- —
- Drugs
- Absorbers respond better to ezetimibe; synthesizers respond better to statins. Many patients need both.
Reference ranges are general adult lab norms; optimal ranges are editorial picks from the longevity literature — not medical advice. Always interpret results with your physician.
within Cholesterol & Lipids