title: Effects of soy and other natural products on LDL:HDL ratio and other lipid parameters: a literature review.
abstract: Abnormal lipid levels contribute significantly to the risk of coronary heart disease, a major cardiovascular disease and a serious health problem. Various dietary and pharmacologic treatments have been devised to reduce elevated blood cholesterol levels. Soy protein, soluble fiber, and plant sterol/ester-containing margarines are promising new food-component candidates that may help to realize this goal. Of particular interest in this context is the LDL:HDL ratio, a strong predictor of cardiac events. This report is a review of more than 50 recent trials to determine how such dietary components and garlic affect the LDL:HDL ratio and other lipid parameters. Consumption of new soy products containing high, fixed levels of isoflavones, cotyledon soy fiber, and soy phospholipids (Abaco and Abalon) significantly reduced the LDL:HDL ratio by up to 27%. Soluble dietary fibers such as psyllium and beta glucan from oat bran had a variable effect on LDL-cholesterol levels in the studies analyzed. Plant sterol esters, when consumed in margarines, lowered the LDL:HDL ratio by up to 22%. On average, Abacor and Abalon reduced the LDL:HDL ratio by 20%, LDL cholesterol by 15%, total cholesterol by 10%, and triglycerides by 6%, and increased HDL cholesterol by 5%. The new soy-based supplements may therefore play a valuable role in reducing cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kjeld
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hermansen
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dinesen
authors.forename: Lars H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hoie
authors.forename: Eve
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morgenstern
authors.forename: Joerg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gruenwald
mesh_terms: D018554:Avena; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008383:Margarine; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008055:Lipids; D010840:Phytosterols; D010936:Plant Extracts; D030262:Soybean Proteins; D008383:Margarine