How Soluble Fiber Lowers Cholesterol
Soluble fiber lowers cholesterol by binding to it in the small intestine. Once inside the small intestine, the fiber attaches to the cholesterol particles, preventing them from entering your bloodstream and traveling to other parts of the body. Instead, cholesterol will exit the body through the feces.
Soluble fiber appears to be only effective against your LDL cholesterol, so if you also need to lower your triglycerides, or boost your HDL, soluble fiber may not be able to help you with this since the effect can range from very slight to no benefit at all.
Additionally, you should not solely rely on fiber to lower your cholesterol, since the effect is only slight. In studies to date, LDL cholesterol can decrease by at most 18 percent by consuming roughly 30 grams of soluble fiber daily.
The other type of fiber, insoluble fiber, is also in many healthy foods. While this type of fiber also appears to have many health benefits, it does not lower cholesterol levels.
Soluble And Insoluble Fiber
- Feeling satiated or full longer after meals: Soluble fiber slows down how quickly foods are digested, meaning most people feel full longer after fiber-rich meals. Insoluble fiber physically fills up space in the stomach and intestines, furthering the sensation of being full. These properties can help people manage their weight.
- Helping lower disease risk: Due to fiberâs many health benefits, a high-fiber diet is associated with a lower risk of many diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and others.
Effect Of Initial Lipid Concentration
On the basis of weighted least-squares regression analyses, the initial total cholesterol concentration was not a significant predictor of lipid changes after adjustment for dose when entered into the models as either a continuous variable or a categorical variable . There was a greater decrease in LDL cholesterol in studies in which subjects had an average initial LDL-cholesterol concentration > 4.3 mmol/L compared with an average initial LDL-cholesterol concentration < 4.3 mmol/L . However, this difference was only marginally significant . Net lipid changes were not significantly related to initial concentrations for either HDL or triacylglycerols after adjustment for dose.
Don’t Miss: Do Cheerios Help Lower Cholesterol
Health Benefits Of Dietary Fibre
The digestive system is lined with muscles that massage food along the digestive tract from the moment a mouthful is swallowed until the eventual waste is passed out of the bowel .
As dietary fibre is relatively indigestible, it adds bulk to our faeces andkeeps the digestive system healthy.
It also important for other body functions (such as:
- keeping our weight under control
- stabilising glucose which is important if you have diabetes
- reducing our risk of other conditions .
There Are Two Types Of Fiber
One type is called innsoluble fiber. It remains relatively intact as it passes through the digestive system. The primary function of insoluble fiber is to move waste through the intestines and maintain intestinal acid balance.
The other is called soluble fiber is the type of fiber responsible for lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.
Read Also: Is Shrimp Bad For Your Cholesterol
Recommended Dietary Fiber Intake
Regardless of the physiological process for reducing cholesterol you should increase your dietary fiber intake if you have high cholesterol. Daily requirements for women and men are 25 grams and 38 grams, respectively. Excellent sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grain breads, dried peas, lentils, and beans.
Another important dietary approach for cholesterol management is to reduce your saturated fat intake. This means eating less junk food and animal fat, specifically those found in meats and full-fat dairy products.
Fiber Components Of Interest
Dietary fiber can be separated into many different factions . Recent research has begun to isolate these components and determine if increasing their levels in a diet is beneficial to human health. The separation of these fractions may give us a better understanding of how and why dietary fiber may decrease the risk for certain diseases.
Read Also: What Is The Difference Between Cholesterol And Triglycerides
Fermentation Products Of Sdf
From this overview of the three potential mechanisms, it is concluded that excess can play a role in reducing plasma cholesterol and has the benefit of being a specific, measurable, and testable hypothesis. A central role for cannot be ruled out but is very difficult to test directly, whereas a role for propionate and other products is not currently established. The remainder of this review will discuss potential physicochemical mechanisms leading to . It is noted that there is a close parallel with mechanisms that attenuate and which could therefore contribute to the -based mechanism as well.
Dietary Fibre And Blood Cholesterol
There is good evidence that soluble fibre reduces blood cholesterol levels.
When blood cholesterol levels are high, fatty streaks and plaques are deposited along the walls of arteries. This can make them dangerously narrow and lead to an increased risk of coronary heart disease .
It is thought that soluble fibre lowers blood cholesterol by binding bile acids and then excreting them.
Read Also: Which Of The Following Is Not A Function Of Cholesterol
Some Types Of Fiber Are Prebiotics And Feed Gut Bacteria
Certain types of fiber act as prebiotics for beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium, to feed on .
To be specific, the types of dietary fiber that function as prebiotics include beta-glucans, fructans, galactooligosaccharides, resistant starch, and resistant maltodextrin .
Generally speaking, the average Western diethigh in carbohydrates and fat, but low in fiberhas resulted in the loss of gut microbiome diversity. Several researchers hypothesize that this depletion of human gut bacteria may be a risk factor for several chronic diseases .
Additionally, trials show that increasing dietary fiber intake leads to higher gut bacteria diversity .
For instance, in a systematic review of 64 studies involving 2099 participants, higher dietary fiber intake led to significantly greater levels of lactobacillus and bifidobacterium .
Key Point:
Effect Of Soluble Fiber
In the full dose range, soluble fiber significantly reduced both total and LDL cholesterol: 0.028 mmolL1g soluble fiber1 and 0.029 mmolL1g soluble fiber1 , respectively . High-fiber diets also significantly reduced HDL cholesterol, but by a much smaller amount: 0.002 mmolL1g soluble fiber1 . Soluble fiber intake did not significantly affect triacylglycerol concentrations: 0.001 mmolL1g soluble fiber1 . The tests for heterogeneity were highly significant , indicating that the lipid changes may have been better characterized by separate estimates for studies similar in design or subject characteristics such as type of soluble fiber.
Net change in blood lipids in subjects consuming diets high in soluble fiber compared with low-fiber diets
| Lipid measured and fiber source . | Full dose range . | Practical dose range . |
|---|---|---|
| No. of studies . |
Relation between dose of soluble fiber and mean lipid changes. For each study, the net change in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol is plotted against the mean daily dose of soluble fiber. All models were weighted by using the inverse of the variance of each effect size and forcing the intercept through zero. Plots show an inverse association between dose of soluble fiber and mean changes in total and LDL cholesterol . Individual studies with low variance in the meta-analysis are denoted with circles around the point estimates.
You May Like: Can Dehydration Skew A Cholesterol Test
How Much Fiber Do You Need
Shoot for 25-35 grams of dietary fiber everyday. Of this, soluble fiber should make up 15 grams. The average US dietary fiber intake is 12-18 grams/day.
If your current diet is very low in dietary fiber, don’t increase to 35 grams overnight. A sudden increase will result in gastrointestinal distress and unpleasant side effects . You want to increase your fiber intake gradually.
How Fat And Cholesterol In Food Affect Blood Cholesterol Levels
The types of fat in the diet help determine the amount of total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. The types and amount of carbohydrate in the diet also play a role. Cholesterol in food matters, too, but not nearly as much.
- The discovery half a century ago that high blood cholesterol levels were strongly associated with an increased risk for heart disease triggered numerous warnings to avoid foods that contain cholesterol, especially eggs and liver. However, scientific studies show a weak relationship between the amount of cholesterol a person consumes and his or her blood cholesterol levels
- In studies of more than 80,000 female nurses, Harvard researchers found that consuming about an egg a day was not associated with higher risk of heart disease. However, people who have heart disease or diabetes should monitor egg consumption.
For most people, the amount of cholesterol eaten has only a modest impact on the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood. For some people, though, blood cholesterol levels rise and fall very strongly in relation to the amount of cholesterol eaten. For these responders, avoiding cholesterol-rich foods can have a substantial effect on blood cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, at this point there is no way other than by trial and error to identify responders from non-responders to dietary cholesterol.
You May Like: How Much Cholesterol In Pork Chops
Characteristics Of The Studies
We reviewed 162 clinical studies reporting the effects of oat products, psyllium, pectin, or guar fiber on blood cholesterol. A description of the individual trials considered for this meta-analysis may be requested by contacting the corresponding author. Ninety-two studies were excluded: 81 were not sufficiently controlled, 8 had insufficient information, and 3 had a treatment period < 14 d. Seventy published reports were identified for a quantitative analysis. Three of these studies were included only in the dose-response analysis because they did not use a true low-fiber control but rather compared a high with a lower dose of the same intervention fiber . The 67 trials included in the analysis are summarized in and included 25 trials of oat products , 17 of psyllium , 7 of pectin , and 18 of guar gum . Not all trials of different fiber sources provided total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triacylglycerol concentrations.
The meta-analyses included 2990 subjects whose average age was 50 y. The average dose of 9.5 g soluble fiber was administered over a mean treatment period of 49 d. Fifty-seven of 67 studies included in the meta-analyses used a control fiber that was low in soluble fiber, such as wheat bran, cellulose-based placebo, or corn flakes. The remaining 10 trials compared the fiber intervention with a diet that excluded the fiber intervention .
Dietary Fiber Is Associated With Reduced Colorectal Cancer Risk
Over recent years, a wealth of dataincluding systematic reviewshas associated dietary fiber intake with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk 01586-2/pdf” rel=”nofollow”> 35, 36, 37, 38).
As shown in the above-referenced studies, it appears that higher dietary fiber intake does have a statistically significant effect.
For example
- In a dose-response meta-analysis, increasing fiber intake by 10 grams per day reduced colorectal cancer risk by 9% and 28% 01586-2/pdf” rel=”nofollow”> 35).
- A further systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 large cohort studies had similar findings. In this study, individuals with the highest dietary fiber intake had a 14% lower risk of colon cancer compared to those with the lowest fiber intake .
You May Like: Potatoes And Cholesterol
A Special Word About Oat And Barley Fibre
Oats and barley contain a special form of soluble fibre called beta glucan which, as part of a healthy diet, has been shown to lower cholesterol. Beta glucan works by forming a gel in the gut which can bind with cholesterol-rich bile acids and stop them being absorbed into the body.
You need 3g of beta glucan a day to help actively lower cholesterol. You can get this by eating 3 servings of the foods below, in any combination.
Eat three servings of these foods each day
- A bowl of porridge
- 13g of oatbran sprinkled onto cereals, or added to casseroles, soups or smoothies
- 250ml of oat drink
- 1 oat breakfast biscuit
- 1 serving of oat breakfast cereal flakes
- 3 oatcakes
- Recipes providing at least 30g of oats per serving that are also low in saturated fat
- 75g cooked pearl barley you can add these to stews, casseroles, salads or use them instead of rice to make a risotto
- 40g of barley flakes
Soy Nuts And Hazelnuts
A quarter-cup of roasted soy nuts has a whopping 3.5 grams of soluble fiber. Hazelnuts, which are a type of tree nut, provide 1 gram of soluble fiber. These nuts can be eaten alone as a snack or added to cereal or baked goods.
Have a tree nut allergy? Sunflower seeds are a good alternative, also providing 1 gram of soluble fiber in a quarter-cup.
Recommended Reading: Which Of The Following Would Be Characterized As Good Cholesterol
Dietary Fibre Cancer And Heart Disease
Increasing dietary fibre and wholegrain intake is likely to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, weight gain and obesity, and increase your overall mortality.
It is also very likely that these observed health benefits occur indirectly, through the protective effects of phytochemicals that are closely associated with the fibre components of fruits, vegetables and cereal foods.
Foods That Lower Ldl Bad Cholesterol:
The Mediterranean diet not only improves your HDL cholesterol but it can also help lower LDL cholesterol. Particularly the healthy fats namely olive oil, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon.
Following this, many years of strong evidence show that eating a diet rich in soluble fiber like oats, barley, beans, and psyllium, plant sterols , vegetable protein , and nuts lowers LDL cholesterol. Interestingly, such foods are also low in GI and they are digested slowly which doesnt cause big spikes in blood sugar levels. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that a low GI diet actually reduces both fat mass and LDL-cholesterol levels in overweight adults.
Interested in trying the Mediterranean diet? Get started with these tips:
Start small. Eating a serving of nuts a day , particularly walnuts and almonds.
Try simple swaps. Use olive oil instead of butter.
Get a dose of fiber a day. Any plant-based food which includes fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. Check out this blog post for more inspiration on how to build a fiber-filled day.
Don’t Miss: Are Mussels High In Cholesterol
How Does Dietary Fiber Reduce Cholesterol
Lowers cholesterolSoluble fiberreducecholesterolcholesterol
. Likewise, how does Fibre help with cholesterol?
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foodsOatmeal contains soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol. Soluble fiber can reduce the absorption of cholesterol into your bloodstream. Five to 10 grams or more of soluble fiber a day decreases your LDL cholesterol.
Also Know, which fiber supplement is best for lowering cholesterol? Psyllium fiber is known to reduce LDL cholesterol. Psyllium is the type of fiber found in Metamucil® or in the generic form of psyllium husk.
Considering this, how does dietary Fibre lower cholesterol?
Soluble fiber found in beans, oats, flaxseed and oat bran may help lower total blood cholesterol levels by lowering low-density lipoprotein, or “bad,” cholesterol levels. Studies also have shown that high-fiber foods may have other heart-health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and inflammation.
What reduces cholesterol quickly?
How To Reduce Cholesterol Quickly
- Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and beans.
- Be mindful of fat intake.
- Eat more plant sources of protein.
- Eat fewer refined grains, such as white flour.
- Get moving.
Consuming Good Carbs Means More Daily Fiber
Unfortunately, most of us are consuming fewer than 20 grams of fiber per day. I know many people who shy away from the carbs in whole grains, beans, and fruit, thus missing out on all that healthy fiber. But heres the deal: theres good carbs and bad carbs, and whole grains, beans, and vegetables are all good, folks. Its the quality of the carb that counts. Worried about gassy effects? In the short term, start low and use simethicone as needed. Your body will become accustomed over time, and the effects will diminish.
Read Also: Does Shrimp Give You High Cholesterol
Foods That Increase Hdl Good Cholesterol:
The Mediterranean diet has never been so trendy, but its more than a fadit actually works and has been especially important for good heart health! There isnt a set of rules you particularly need to follow rather, it emphasizes eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and heart-healthy extra-virgin olive oil.
If youre looking for something new, the MediterrAsian diet is a combination ofyou guessed itMediterranean and Asian staples. This concept that researchers have dived into includes foods like red yeast rice, bergamot, artichoke, and virgin olive oilall of which show promising effects in increasing HDL cholesterol.
Getting started can be hard It may be easier to start simple, by eating two portions of berries everyday has been shown to increase HDL cholesterol. It is believed that the anthocyanins which is an antioxidant found in berries are responsible for this effect. Berries that were used in the study include strawberry, cranberry, bilberries, lingonberries, blackcurrant, and chokeberry.
Need a key take-away? Try avocado which is unlike any other fruit. The nutrients found in avocados, such as fiber, potassium, magnesium, and monounsaturated fatty acids are associated with heart health benefits, and consuming it helps to increase HDL cholesterol.