A nutritional supplement, prepared food product, or direct food additive foringestion by mammals, and methods for preparing such products, are provided.Products of the invention comprise an oxidation-resistant fat-basedcomposition substantially free of exogenous solubilizing and dispersing agentsfor phytosterols. The fat-based composition includes greater than 25% and lessthan 75% by weight of one or more triglyceride-based edible oil or fat, andgreater than 25% and less than 75% by weight of one or more non-esterifiedphytosterols. The fat-based composition, when exposed to air, contains areduced amount of oxidative by-products compared to a similar fat-basedcomposition lacking non-esterified phytosterols. Also provided are methods forreducing plasma cholesterol in mammals, and methods for protecting plasmalipoproteins and cholesterol from oxidation by ingestion of products of theinvention.
