TY - JOUR
T1 - Cocoa Flavanol-Enriched Snack Bars Containing Phytosterols Effectively Lower Total and Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels
AU - Polagruto, John A.
AU - Wang-Polagruto, Janice F.
AU - Braun, Marlia M.
AU - Lee, Luke
AU - Kwik-Uribe, Catherine
AU - Keen, Carl L
PY - 2006/11
Y1 - 2006/11
N2 - Background: Dietary intervention studies incorporating phytosterol-enriched margarine spreads have reported significant decreases in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in populations with both normal lipid levels and those with hypercholesterolemia. There is emerging support for more diverse and lower-fat phytosterol-enriched matrixes. Controversy exists, however, over whether phytosterol-enriched foods affect serum fat-soluble vitamins. Objective: We investigated whether a flavanol-rich cocoa snack food containing phytosterols would decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia and significantly affect serum fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids. Design: A randomized, double-blind parallel arm study design was used. Subjects were randomized to one of two dietary treatments: a cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bar containing 1.5 g phytosterol (n=32), or a control product containing no phytosterols (n=35). Subjects consumed two servings per day. Results: Consumption of the phytosterol-enriched snack bars but not control bars for 6 weeks was associated with significant reductions in plasma total (4.7%; P<0.01) and LDL cholesterol (6%; P<0.01), and the ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (7.4%; P<0.001). There were no changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or lipid-adjusted lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, α-carotene levels, or levels of serum vitamins A or E. A significant reduction in lipid-adjusted serum β-carotene was observed in the phytosterol but not the no-phytosterol-added group (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study supports the use of a novel phytosterol-enriched snack bar to effectively reduce plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in a population with hypercholesterolemia. The data suggest that the incorporation of this snack food into a balanced diet represents a practical dietary strategy in the management of serum cholesterol levels.
AB - Background: Dietary intervention studies incorporating phytosterol-enriched margarine spreads have reported significant decreases in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in populations with both normal lipid levels and those with hypercholesterolemia. There is emerging support for more diverse and lower-fat phytosterol-enriched matrixes. Controversy exists, however, over whether phytosterol-enriched foods affect serum fat-soluble vitamins. Objective: We investigated whether a flavanol-rich cocoa snack food containing phytosterols would decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia and significantly affect serum fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids. Design: A randomized, double-blind parallel arm study design was used. Subjects were randomized to one of two dietary treatments: a cocoa flavanol-enriched snack bar containing 1.5 g phytosterol (n=32), or a control product containing no phytosterols (n=35). Subjects consumed two servings per day. Results: Consumption of the phytosterol-enriched snack bars but not control bars for 6 weeks was associated with significant reductions in plasma total (4.7%; P<0.01) and LDL cholesterol (6%; P<0.01), and the ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (7.4%; P<0.001). There were no changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or lipid-adjusted lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, α-carotene levels, or levels of serum vitamins A or E. A significant reduction in lipid-adjusted serum β-carotene was observed in the phytosterol but not the no-phytosterol-added group (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study supports the use of a novel phytosterol-enriched snack bar to effectively reduce plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels in a population with hypercholesterolemia. The data suggest that the incorporation of this snack food into a balanced diet represents a practical dietary strategy in the management of serum cholesterol levels.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jada.2006.08.012
DO - 10.1016/j.jada.2006.08.012
M3 - Article
C2 - 17081832
AN - SCOPUS:33750440551
VL - 106
SP - 1804
EP - 1813
JO - Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
JF - Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
SN - 2212-2672
IS - 11
ER -