An 8 Week, Randomized, Controlled, Parallel-Group Study to Compare the Effects of Heart to Heart Cereal versus Cheerios on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins Levels of Hypercholesterolemic Adults

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the major cause of death in most developed countries. Lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities are major risk factors for CHD. While effective drugs are available to treat some dyslipidemias, these agents are expensive and commonly have side effects. Many health care professionals prefer to maximize non-pharmacologic therapy before instituting drug treatment. Many consumers are reluctant to take these drugs and prefer alternative measures such as nutritional approaches. This study will compare the effects of two read y to eat oat cereals with hypocholesterolemic potential. Oat cereals( l) have important blood cholesterol-lowering effects. This study is designed to compare the cholesterol-lowering effects of an oat cereal rich in antioxidants (Heart to HeartTM)with another oat cereal (Cheerios@). These cereals will be compared to a cornflakes control cereal. Since the role of inflammation in atherosclerosis is of great interest(2), we will compare changes in serum C-Reactive Protein (CRP), homocysteine(3) and use a state-of-the art measure of in vivo oxidation, namely isoprostane values.( 4)