title: Carob pulp preparation for treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
abstract: The lipid-lowering effect of a carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble dietary fiber and polyphenols was investigated in a noncomparative, open-label pilot study. Over 8 weeks, 47 volunteers with moderate hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol 232-302 mg/dL) consumed 15 g of carob per day in three products (breakfast cereal, fruit muesli bar, powdered drink) as a supplement to their regular diet. After 4 weeks, reductions of 7.1% in mean total cholesterol and 10.6% in LDL cholesterol were noted; respective decreases after 6 weeks were 7.8% and 12.2% (all P<.001). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unchanged. Overall compliance was good. Only 3 volunteers (6%) reported a sensation of fullness, which led to 2 of the 3 dropouts. The carob preparation may have value in the dietary treatment of hypercholesterolemia.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Nutritional Science University of Potsdam, Germany.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Zunft
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lüder
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harde
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Haber
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Graubaum
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gruenwald
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005685:Galactans; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053149:Plant Gums; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005685:Galactans; D008055:Lipids; D008351:Mannans; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053149:Plant Gums; D011134:Polysaccharides; D014280:Triglycerides; C017471:locust bean gum