Authors
Birkeland KI. Gullestad L. Torsvik H.
Institution
Medisinsk avdeling, Baerum sykehus.
Title
[Cholesterol-lowering effect of
oat]. [Norwegian]
Source
Tidsskrift for Den Norske Laegeforening. 111(17):2081-5, 1991 Jun 30.
Abstract
Use of oat-supplement has been advocated to reduce serum
cholesterol concentration. In order to study the
effect of a daily dietary supplement of
oats on lipid levels we performed three controlled clinical
trials in healthy Norwegians and patients with hypercholesterolemia.
The studies lasted 3-5 weeks, and oats were
added to the diet in bread, breakfast cereals, porridge or
crispbread. The serum cholesterol concentrations were
reduced by 2.5-5% in four of the five groups with an
oat-supplemented diet. No effect was found
in the group who ate crispbread. Lipid levels remained
unchanged in the three control groups. We conclude that
oat products have a small but significant
cholesterol-lowering effect when given as a
supplement to the ordinary Norwegian diet.