Cholesterol-lowering effects of soluble-fiber cereals as part of a prudent diet for patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether soluble-fiber cereals (pectin-enriched or psyllium-enriched) as part of a prudent diet could effectively lower cholesterol in patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Results Summary
The study found that psyllium-enriched cereal significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol (5.9% and 5.7%, respectively), while pectin-enriched cereal showed smaller, non-significant reductions. No effects were observed on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or body weight.
Population
58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (incorporated into diet as breakfast cereals).
Duration
6 weeks of cereal-plus-diet intervention following a 6-week diet-only phase.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
step 1 diet | decrease | total cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | 3.8% | dropped | #1 |
pectin-enriched cereal | decrease | total cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | 2.1% | dropped | #2 |
pectin-enriched cereal | decrease | LDL cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | 3.9% | dropped | #3 |
psyllium-enriched cereal | decrease | total cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | 5.9% | dropped | #4 |
psyllium-enriched cereal | decrease | LDL cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | 5.7% | dropped | #5 |
soluble-fiber cereals | no change | HDL cholesterol | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | no significant change | no significant effects | #6 |
soluble-fiber cereals | no change | triglyceride | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | no significant change | no significant effects | #7 |
soluble-fiber cereals | no change | body weight | 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia | no significant change | no significant effects | #8 |
Soluble-fiber breakfast cereals were examined for their cholesterol-lowering ability in 58 male patients with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients followed a step 1 diet for a minimum of 6 wk, then were randomly assigned to groups incorporating either corn flakes or one of two soluble-fiber cereals (pectin enriched or psyllium enriched) in the diet for an additional 6 wk. During the diet-only phase, total cholesterol dropped 3.8%. During the cereal-plus-diet phase, total and LDL cholesterol values of the pectin-enriched cereal group dropped an additional 2.1% (P = 0.243) and 3.9% (P = 0.16), respectively, and they dropped 5.9% (P = 0.005) and 5.7% (P = 0.034), respectively, in the psyllium-enriched cereal group. During the cereal-plus-diet phase, no significant effects on HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, or body weight were found within or between any cereal groups. These results support use of soluble-fiber cereals as an effective and well-tolerated part of a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.