Forbes Medi-Tech Inc., a US nutraceutical and pharmaceutical company, announced this week the development of a "designer oil" that reduces LDL("bad") blood cholesterol levels in humans and increases energy expenditure, which may prevent people from gaining weight. In a study conducted at McGill University in Montreal 17 healthy and overweight women were given Forbes' "designer oil" or regular oils in a randomised, crossover trial for a period of 28 days. Study participants' blood cholesterol levels were checked on day two and 28 of the study. Participants who consumed meals containing the "designer oil" showed a reduction in their LDL cholesterol by 14.5 per cent as compared to subjectsconsuming regular oils. The study also showed that consumption of the "designer oil" also resulted in increased energy expenditure by the women and consequently excess calories were burned. The oil incorporates a phytosterol-based functional food ingredient Phytrol(TM) from Forbes into oil using proprietary technologies.
