Effects of a Dietary Supplement with Barley Sprout Extract on Blood Cholesterol Metabolism.

A Ri Byun,Kyung Won Shim,Sang Wha Lee,Jin Lee,Hyejin Chun,Hong Soo Lee

doi:10.1155/2015/473056

A Ri Byun, Kyung Won Shim + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/473056

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Abstract

Objective. Barley sprout (Hordeum vulgare L.) contains 4.97% fat, 52.6% polysaccharide, and 34.1% protein along with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and polyphenolic compounds. Hexacosanol is one such compound from the barley leaf that might improve cholesterol metabolism by decreasing cholesterol synthesis. Method. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of barley sprout extract on serum lipid metabolism in healthy volunteers (n = 51). Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: one group consumed a single capsule of barley leaf extract daily (n = 25, 42.48 ± 13.58 years) and the other consumed placebo capsules (n = 26, 40.54 ± 11.1 years) for 12 weeks. Results. After 12 weeks, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein- (LDL-) cholesterol were not lower in the barley sprout extract group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.415 and p = 0.351, resp.) and no differences in clinical or laboratory findings were observed between both groups. Conclusion. Our study failed to show significant lipid-lowering effects of barley sprout extract, possibly due to dosage, duration of therapy, and small sample size. Despite our nonsignificant findings, barley sprout has a possibility as a functional health food; therefore future research is needed.

Highlights

Increases in obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia today are due in part to increased consumption of a westernized diet that contains high amounts of calories and fat, lack of exercise, and an increase in environmental pollution [1]
When low density lipoprotein- (LDL-) cholesterol is lowered by 12% and total cholesterol by 8%, the risk of cardiocerebrovascular disease decreases by 19%; it may be crucial to manage hyperlipidemia with an appropriate lipid-lowering agent, such as a statin, which inhibits HMG CoA reductase, and lifestyle modifications [1]
From a health science perspective, people free from chronic disease who have blood cholesterol levels in the upper end of the normal range may progress into hyperlipidemia, leading to atherosclerotic complications afterward

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia today are due in part to increased consumption of a westernized diet that contains high amounts of calories and fat, lack of exercise, and an increase in environmental pollution [1] If these chronic diseases are not managed properly, they may lead to atherosclerosis and an increase in the prevalence and mortality of cardiocerebrovascular disease. From a health science perspective, people free from chronic disease who have blood cholesterol levels in the upper end of the normal range may progress into hyperlipidemia, leading to atherosclerotic complications afterward Those with upper-normal or high values of cholesterol may benefit from a supplement that improves blood lipid metabolism to prevent atherosclerotic complications

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Results

Conclusion