title: Could dyslipidemic children benefit from glucomannan intake?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Primary dyslipidemias are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease and should be addressed early in life. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in children affected by primary hypercholesterolemia, the efficacy and tolerability of a short-term treatment with a dietary supplement containing glucomannan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial was conducted in 36 children (aged 6-15 years) affected by primary hypercholesterolemia. After a 4-week run-in period with dietary counseling, children received glucomannan or placebo twice-daily for 8 weeks, separated by a 4-week washout period. Lipid profile was assessed at baseline and after each treatment period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Glucomannan significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) by 5.1% (p = 0.008), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels by 7.3% (p = 0.008) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 7.2% (p = 0.002) as compared with placebo. No significant differences were observed in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride, Apolipoprotein B, and Apolipoprotein A-I concentrations. According to sex, glucomannan significantly reduced in females, but not in males, TC (-6.1%, p = 0.011) and LDL cholesterol (-9%, p = 0.015). No major adverse effects were recorded and only few patients experienced transitory intestinal discomfort.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with glucomannan of children affected by primary dyslipidemia is well-tolerated and effectively lowers total and LDL cholesterol in females and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but not Apolipoprotein B in both males and females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science and Pediatrics, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. ornella.guardamagna@unito.it
authors.forename: Ornella
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Guardamagna
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Abello
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cagliero
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Visioli
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001055:Apolipoproteins B / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001055:Apolipoproteins B; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008351:Mannans; D014280:Triglycerides; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan