Barley and beta-glucan isolated from barley lower total and LDL cholesterol. - GreenMedInfo Summary
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β-glucan from barley and its lipid-lowering capacity: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Dec ;64(12):1472-80. Epub 2010 Oct 6. PMID: 20924392
S S AbuMweis
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To more precisely quantify the effect of barleyβ-glucan on blood lipid concentrations in humans and to examine the factors that could affect its efficacy.
SUBJECTS/METHODS: Eleven eligible randomized clinical trials published from 1989 to 2008 were identified from nine databases. Weighted mean effect sizes were calculated for net differences in lipid profile using a random effect model (RevMan 4.2).
RESULTS: Overall, barley andβ-glucan isolated from barley lowered total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations by 0.30 mmol/l (95% confidence interval (CI): -0.39 to -0.21, P<0.00001) and 0.27 mmol/l (95% CI: -0.34 to -0.20, P<0.00001), respectively, compared with control. The pattern of cholesterol-lowering action of barley in this analysis could not be viewed as a dose-dependent response. There were no significant subgroup differences by type of intervention and food matrix.
CONCLUSIONS: Increased consumption of barely products should be considered as a dietary approach to reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations.