SOLUBLE FIBER AND SERUM-LIPIDS - A LITERATURE-REVIEW

Although fiber has been increasingly recognized as an important dietar y constituent, controversy and confusion still exist about the physiol ogic effects of fiber. Specifically, the independent ability of dietar y fiber to lower serum lipid levels is controversial. The purpose of t his article is to review available evidence regarding the impact of so luble fibers on serum lipid levels. Soluble fibers appear to have a gr eater potential to alter serum lipid levels than do insoluble fibers. Significant reduction in the level of serum total cholesterol by solub le fiber was found in 68 of the 77 (88%) human studies reviewed. Of th e studies measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 41 of 49 (84% ) reported significant reductions. No significant changes were reporte d in 43 of the 57 (75%) studies that reported high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or in 50 of the 58 (86%) studies that measured trigly ceride levels.