Smart Balance Spread & Cholesterol: A Heart-Healthy Choice?

Smart Balance markets its spreads as a heart-healthy alternative to conventional buttery spreads. Smart Balance spreads contain ingredients that promote HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels and lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels. This product should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet.

Ingredients

• Smart Balance spreads contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as plant sterols. These products do not contain hydrogenated oils (oils that could contain trans fat, which raises "bad" cholesterol and lowers "good" cholesterol, according to the Mayo Clinic).

Function

• According to smartbalance.com, plant sterols can help reduce your cholesterol levels, and omega fatty acids are heart-healthy fats that do not raise LDL cholesterol.

Total Fat Content

• According to dietspotlight.com, the total fat content in Smart Balance products may be similar to that in other products.

Considerations

• Smart Balance may help to promote healthy cholesterol levels but should not be relied on for cholesterol control.

Prevention/Solution

• Although Smart Balance spread contains heart-healthy fats, it should still be used sparingly along with other fats in the diet and as part of a low-fat diet.