Dietary fiber and blood lipids: treatment of hypercholesterolemia with guar crispbread.

Eleven hyperlipidemic patients took an average of 13 g guar in crispbread form over 2- to 8-week periods. Eight weeks' treatment (seven patients) reduced total serum cholesterol by 13% (P less than 0.002) while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was unchanged. A 13% nonsignificant reduction was also seen in serum triglyceride. Comparison of blood lipid changes over 2-week periods showed guar crispbread to be as effective as guar given in hydrated (eight patients) or semihydrated form (four patients). In addition total serum cholesterol was lowered significantly (11%, P less than 0.05) in five patients where cholestyramine was ineffective. Due to its acceptability, guar crispbread is likely to prove a useful cholesterol-lowering agent.