Whole Grain Oats Cholesterol Reduction Link

Whole-grain oats may help reduce cholesterol: review

Whole-grain oats may help lower cholesterol in people at risk for heart disease, according to a review.

Researchers looked at 10 short-term trials that studied a total of 914 adults who had at least one major risk factor for heart disease.

The studies suggested whole grains can help lower both total cholesterol and unhealthy low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels — both risk factors for heart disease.

When the results were pooled, the average reduction was 7.7 milligrams per decilitre in total cholesterol levels, and 7 milligrams per decilitre for LDL among people who ate whole-grain oatmeal compared with those who ate refined grains.

There is enough evidence to suggest recommending oats as part of cholesterol-lowering programs, the review concluded, but the positive effect should be interpreted cautiously, the researchers said in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews.

The trials involved small numbers of people, lasted at longest four to eight weeks, and most were funded by companies that sell whole grains.

Well-designed, adequately powered studies are now needed to evaluate the effects of long-term consumption of oats," said study author Sarah Kelly of the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Teesside, England.

To minimize the risk of developing high levels of LDL, Health Canada recommends:

• Maintaining a healthy weight.
• Getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.
• Not smoking.
• Reducing total fat in the diet, especially curbing unhealthy saturated and trans fats.
• Eating more soluble fibre, found in bran, oatmeal, barley, psyllium, kidney beans, apples, strawberries and pears.

There was a lack of studies on other whole grains or whole-grain diets, the study's authors said.

Source: CBC.ca