Are oat products effective cholesterol-lowering agents?

Oat products have become popular as a treatment for hypercholesterolemia. This article was designed to address the following question: Do existing data support the conclusion that oat products are effective cholesterol-lowering agents? A comprehensive search found 11 eligible reports. Each report was analyzed for baseline data, research methodology, and study results. A quality score was assigned to each report. Nine of the 11 eligible reports scored 4 points or less (maximum possible score was 10). Specific design concerns included lack of comparison control groups, failure to randomize and blind subjects to treatment assignment, failure to control for important confounding variables, such as impact of dietary changes known to affect serum cholesterol levels, and inadequate time allotment for cholesterol level stabilization. In most reports, a wide response to oat products was noted. Ninety-five percent confidence levels for cholesterol change ranged from -47.0 percent to +23.8 percent. Despite widespread approval, available reports do not provide evidence to support or reject the purported beneficial effect of oat products in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia.