November/December 2000
HEALTH BYTES

Fiber reduces cholesterol levels

Filling up on fiber can reduce cholesterol levels, according to a recent study of 250 men and women with high blood cholesterol. The study showed that 10 grams a day of psyllium, a fibrous material, when combined with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, can reduce harmful cholesterol by as much as five percent. That reduction translates into a significant 10 percent to 15 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack, according to the study's authors. It is thought that psyllium lowers cholesterol by removing bile acids, which are converted into cholesterol, from the body. Other foods, such as oat bran and soy protein, can also reduce cholesterol levels.

- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, June 2000