BERLINBarley beta-glucan reduces serum lipid levels, according to research presented
in April at the First International Congress on Pre-Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome.

In the six-week study, 76 men and 79 women with hypercholesterolemia, aged
25 to 73, completed a four-week lowfat diet prior to baseline. At the beginning of the trial,
test subjects were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups or a control group
and assayed for blood lipids and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers. During
the course of the study, test groups were administered 3 g and 5 g doses of low
molecular weight (LMW) or high molecular weight (HMW) barley beta-glucan (from Cargill)
twice daily, in cereal and juice.

Posttreatment assessment of blood lipids and other CVD biomarkers revealed
improvements in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, markers of
glycemic control
(glycosylated hemoglobin, HOMA model) and a key marker of inflammation
(hs-CRP).

The researchers concluded both doses of LMW and HMW barley beta-glucan improved
blood lipids over a six-week treatment period.

For more information visit: http://Diabetics.healthbvld.com