Oat fiber may cut need for blood pressure meds

May 25, 2002

NEW YORK, Apr 25 (Reuters Health) - Daily consumption of whole-grain oat

cereal reduces blood pressure, and in patients already taking blood

pressure medication, allows a decrease in dosage, investigators report.

In one of two studies, J. Pins of the University of Minnesota

Medical School in Minneapolis and colleagues gave volunteers with high

blood pressure either 137 grams of oat cereal daily, with approximately

12 grams of total fiber and 6 grams of soluble fiber, or wheat cereals

with total fiber of approximately 3 grams and soluble fiber of less than

1.1 grams.

The researchers report in the April issue of The Journal of Family

Practice that among the 45 study participants consuming oats daily, 73%

were able to reduce their blood pressure medication. After 12 weeks,

average total cholesterol dropped by 15% and LDL ( " bad " ) cholesterol

dropped by 16%, and blood glucose levels improved significantly.

However, during the 6 weeks after the study, two thirds of participants

had to resume their previous dose of medication.

In comparison, 42% the 43 study participants given the wheat cereal diet

were able to decrease their dose of blood pressure medication but

experienced no significant reduction in total cholesterol or LDL

cholesterol levels.

In a second study, the Minneapolis investigators assigned 18 people with

untreated high blood pressure to a similar intervention or " control "

diet. Again, those in the oat cereal group, but not in the control

group, experienced a decrease in blood pressure after 6 weeks. Changes

in cholesterol were also similar.

" Physicians may be justified in recommending to their (patients with

high blood pressure) a dietary regimen that includes the daily

consumption of whole-grain oats (equaling 6 grams of soluble fiber) in

conjunction with their usual therapy, " Pins and his associates conclude.

SOURCE: Journal of Family Practice 2002;51:353-359, 369.

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