Oat prevents obesity and abdominal fat distribution, and improves liver function in humans.
Obesity is associated with a great diversity of diseases including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Our recent report suggested that oat, rich in beta-glucan, had a metabolic-regulating and liver-protecting effect in an animal model. In this study, we performed a clinical trial to further confirm the effect of oat. Subjects with BMI ≥27 and aged 18-65, were randomly divided into a control (n=18) and an oat-treated (n=16) group, taking a placebo or beta glucan-containing oat cereal, respectively, for 12 weeks. Our data showed that consumption of oat reduced body weight, BMI, body fat and the waist-to-hip ratio. Profiles of hepatic function, including AST, but especially ALT, were useful resources to help in the evaluation of the liver, since both showed decrements in patients with oat consumption. Nevertheless, anatomic changes were still not observed by ultrasonic image analysis. Ingestion of oat was well tolerated and there was no adverse effect during the trial. In conclusion, consumption of oat reduced obesity, abdominal fat, and improved lipid profiles and liver functions. Taken as a daily supplement, oat could act as an adjuvant therapy for metabolic disorders.
Institute of Medicine, Chung-Shan Medical University, Number 110, Section 1, Chien-Kuo North Road, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
Hong-Chou
HC
Chang
Chien-Ning
CN
Huang
Da-Ming
DM
Yeh
Shing-Jung
SJ
Wang
Chiung-Huei
CH
Peng
Chau-Jong
CJ
Wang
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018554:Avena / Q000737:chemistry*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012639:Seeds; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D028321:Plant Preparations; D047071:beta-Glucans