Conclusions : Pooled analyses show that barley β-glucan has a lowering effect on LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Inclusion of barley-containing foods may be a strategy for achieving targets in CVD risk reduction
Background / Objectives : There has been recent interest in barley as a therapeutic food owing to its high content of beta-glucan ( β-glucan ) , a viscous soluble fiber recognized for its cholesterol-lowering properties .
The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) investigating the cholesterol-lowering potential of barley β-glucan on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( non-HDL-C ) and apolipoprotein B ( apoB ) for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk reduction .
Randomized controlled crossover study of the effect of a highly beta-glucan-enriched barley on cardiovascular disease risk factors in mildly hypercholesterolemic men.
BACKGROUND Soluble-fiber beta-glucan derived from oats can reduce cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk through reductions in total and LDL cholesterol .  Barley-derived beta-glucan may also improve serum cholesterol , but large quantities are required for clinical significance . OBJECTIVE This trial investigated whether a beta-glucan-enriched form of barley can favorably modify cholesterol and other markers of CVD and diabetes risk . DESIGN Eighteen mildly hyperlipidemic ( + /- SD : 4.0 + /- 0.6 mmol LDL cholesterol/L ) men with a mean ( + /- SD ) body mass index ( in kg/m(2 ) ) of 27.4 + /- 4.6 were r and omly assigned in this single-blind , 2 x 4-wk trial to either the treatment arm [ 8.1 - 11.9 g beta-glucan/d ( scaled to body weight ) ] or the control arm ( isoenergetic dose of 6.5 - 9.2 g glucose/d ) . After a washout period of 4 wk , dietary regimens were crossed over . The trial took place in a long-stay metabolic facility , and all foods were provided ( 38 % of energy from fat ) . Fasted blood sample s were collected on days 0 , 1 , 7 , 14 , 21 , 28 , and 29 in both study arms . An oral-glucose-tolerance test was carried out on days 0 and 29 . RESULTS There was no significant change ( Delta ) in total ( Delta = -0.08 mmol/L , -1.3 % ) , LDL ( Delta = -0.15 mmol/L , -3.8 % ) , or HDL ( Delta = 0 mmol/L ) cholesterol or in triacylglycerol ( Delta = 0.18 mmol/L ) , fasting glucose ( Delta = -0.05 mmol/L ) , or postpr and ial glucose when analyzed between treatments ( P > 0.05 ; ANOVA ) . CONCLUSION The effect of beta-glucan-enriched barley on lipid profile was highly variable between subjects , and there was no evidence of a clinical ly significant improvement in CVD risk across this group of mildly hyperlipidemic men
Conclusions : Pooled analyses show that barley β-glucan has a lowering effect on LDL-C and non-HDL-C. Inclusion of barley-containing foods may be a strategy for achieving targets in CVD risk reduction
Background / Objectives : There has been recent interest in barley as a therapeutic food owing to its high content of beta-glucan ( β-glucan ) , a viscous soluble fiber recognized for its cholesterol-lowering properties .
The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis of r and omized controlled trials ( RCTs ) investigating the cholesterol-lowering potential of barley β-glucan on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C ) , non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( non-HDL-C ) and apolipoprotein B ( apoB ) for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) risk reduction .