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Cardiovascular disease (CDV) remains one of the top causes of death in the industrialized world, with saturated fat and trans-fat intake, serum cholesterol, and obestity as major risk factors. Diets recommended for reduction of cardiovascular risk factors include a diet high in dietary fiber. Oats are high in the water-soluble fiber ß-glucan, that may reduce the CDV risk through the reduction of serum cholesterol levels. It has been shown that approximately 3 grams per day of oat beta-glucan has a statistically significant cholesterol lowering effect (Ripsin et al, 1991).
The mechanism(s) behind the cholesterol lowering effects of oat ß-glucan is not certain but data suggests that the viscous properties of ß-glucans play a key role by increasing bile acid excretion. Bile acids are produced in the liver, and the main function of bile acid is to facilitate the formation of micelles, which promotes processing of dietary fat. The slowed absorption rate of dietery cholesterol in the intestine is also thought to be partly responsible for the reduction of serum cholesterol.
Reference
Ripsin CM, Keenan JM, Jacobs DR, Jr., Elmer PJ, Welch RR, Van Horn L, Liu K, Turnbull WH, Thye FW, Kestin M et al: Oat products and lipid lowering. A meta-analysis. JAMA 1992, 267(24):3317-3325
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Oats for Health
Oat Beta-Glucans and Cholesterol ControlProposed Mechanism for Cholesterol Reduction
Oat Beta-Glucans and Glycemic ResponseOats for Feed
