title: Effect of plant sterols and glucomannan on lipids in individuals with and without type II diabetes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplements of plant sterols and/or glucomannan improve lipid profile and cholesterol biosynthesis in mildly hypercholesterolemic type II diabetic and non-diabetic subjects and to compare the response of these two subject groups to the treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, crossover study consisting of four phases of 21 days, with each phase separated by a 28-day washout.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Mary Emily Clinical Nutrition Research Unit of McGill University.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen non-diabetic individuals and 16 type II diabetic individuals aged 38-74 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were supplemented with plant sterols (1.8 g/day), glucomannan (10 g/day), a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols, and a placebo, provided in the form of bars.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall plasma cholesterol concentrations were lowered (P<0.05) after combination treatment (4.72+/-0.20 mmol/l) compared to control (5.47+/-0.18 mmol/l). Plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations were decreased (P<0.05) after glucomannan (3.16+/-0.14 mmol/l) and combination treatments (2.95+/-0.16 mmol/l) compared to control (3.60+/-0.16 mmol/l). The results of lipid profiles did not differ between subject groups. Overall plasma lathosterol concentrations, an index of cholesterol biosynthesis, were lowered (P<0.05) after the combination treatment compared to the plant sterol treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that glucomannan and a combination of glucomannan and plant sterols substantially improves plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Forbes Medi-Tech Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.affiliation: School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Vanstone
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zawistowski
authors.forename: P J H
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002400:Cathartics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008351:Mannans; D010840:Phytosterols; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D002784:Cholesterol