DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Oat bran, the outer layers of the oat grain(Avena fructus), see also oat extracts, is a high-fibre food characterized by a high proportion of water-soluble fibre. Oat bran contains 46% soluble and 54% insoluble fiber. With a proportion of 85%, ß-glucan provides the largest proportion of this water-soluble fiber. Water-soluble fiber binds bile acids in the intestine and thus leads to increased excretion of bile acids. This leads to increased bile acid formation from the cholesterol content, resulting in a reduction in serum cholesterol levels, both the VLDL and LDL fractions. The water-insoluble fiber leads to an increase in stool weight, which stimulates the intestinal muscles and improves digestion. Studies have shown a reduction in cholesterol levels of 10-20%. As early as 1991, a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels and LDL levels was demonstrated in a randomized, controlled crossover study (Keenan JM et al.).
Spectrum of actionThis section has been translated automatically.
Oats contain beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber binds bile acids, which are then excreted via the body, stimulating the synthesis of bile acids from cholesterol in the liver, which lowers cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol by 20 %. The required amount of beta-glucan is contained in 40 g of oat bran or 80 g of oat flakes.
LiteratureThis section has been translated automatically.
- Anderson J.W.N.J. et al (1988) Hypercholesterolemic effects of oat and bean products. Am J Clin Nutr 48:749-753
- Chen/Anderson (1981) Soluble and insoluble plant fiber in selected cereals and vegetables. Am J Clin Nutr 34: 1077-1082
- Eiele A. et al (1992) Influence of oat bran on lipid metabolism in dietary cholesterol loading. Paper presented at the 29th Scientific Congress of the German Nutrition Society. Stuttgart March 26-27, 1992
- Reader Service, From the Industry (1990): Cholesterol can be reduced by twenty percent: Oat bran does the trick. Dtsch Arztebl 87: A-164
- Keenan JM et al. (1991) Randomized, controlled, crossover trial of oat bran in hypercholesterolemic subjects. J Fam Pract. 33(6):600-8. PMID: 1660530.
