Beta-glucan fibre is a soluble fibre found in a number of cereal grains including oats and barley. It has been suggested that β-glucan fibre is responsible for many of the health effects associated with consumption of these cereal grains. In particular β-glucan fibre may have a significant ability to lower plasma total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol level in humans, particularly those with the metabolic syndrome. However, it is suspected that the response to the cholesterol lowering effects of β-glucan fibre may differ between individuals. For example, in one study, researchers fed 30 individuals a breakfast containing barley either 3 g high molecular weight β-glucan fibre per day, 5 g low molecular weight β-glucan fibre per day, or 3 g low molecular weight β-glucan fibre per day for 5 wk. The design of this study reflected the fact that rather than being a single substance, β-glucan fibre refers to a number of compounds that have slightly varying physical and chemical properties based on their molecular masses.
The results of the study showed that consumption of 3 g of high molecular weight β-glucan fibre per day caused a reduction in total cholesterol of -0.12 mmol/L compared with a control diet containing no β-glucan fibre. However, the low molecular weight β-glucan fibre had no effect on total cholesterol levels compared to the control. Interestingly, the authors found that the effect of high molecular weight β-glucan fibre was modified by the genetic individuality of the subject, whereby individuals with a particular type of cytochrome P450 (caused in this case the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene coding for that protein) had a greater reduction in total cholesterol in response to the 3 grams of high molecular weight β-glucan fibre compared to those without the presence of this gene. Therefore biochemical individuality might play a significant role in the response that a person experiences from a particular food, and this is often difficult to predict without genetic screening.
Eat Well, Stay Healthy, Protect Yourself
RdB