Oats and Clogged Arteries

Already known for their ability to help lower cholesterol levels, oats may have additional cardiovascular benefits. A compound contained in oats may keep blood cells from sticking to artery walls, helping to prevent clogged arteries and atherosclerosis, according to research published in the June 2004 issue of Agricultural Research magazine (www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR)

Researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston purified avenanthramides from oats and exposed them to human arterial wall cells for 24 hours. While observing the mixture under incubation, researchers found significant reductions in both the expression of adhesion molecules (that ‘glue’ blood cells to artery walls) and the sticking of blood cells to arterial wall cells. They concluded the adhesion suppression by the oat-compound may prevent the narrowing of artery walls caused by a buildup of blood cells and inflammation, which eventually leads to atherosclerosis.

Research has also proven fiber from oats help reduce LDL cholesterol, reiterating the heart-healthy benefits of oats. ‘Adding oat products as part of an overall healthy diet and cutting down on high-fat, high-cholesterol foods are important to gaining these benefits,’ said Mohsen Meydani, DVM, Ph.D., nutritionist, and lead researcher of the study.”


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