Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis

Although fiber has been increasingly recognized as an important dietary constituent, controversy and confusion still exist about the physiologic effects of fiber. Specifically, the independent ability of dietary fiber to lower serum lipid levels is controversial. The purpose of this article is to review available evidence regarding the impact of soluble fibers on serum lipid levels. Soluble fibers appear to have a greater potential to alter serum lipid levels than do insoluble fibers. Significant reduction in the level of serum total cholesterol by soluble fiber was found in 68 of the 77 (88%) human studies reviewed. Of the studies measuring low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, 41 of 49 (84%) reported significant reductions. No significant changes were reported in 43 of the 57 (75%) studies that reported high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and/or in 50 of the 58 (86%) studies that measured triglyceride levels.