Effect of guar gum on body weight and serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic females

Acta Med Scand. 1980;208(1-2):45-8. doi: 10.1111/j.0954-6820.1980.tb01148.x.

Abstract

The effect of guar gum (15 g/day) on serum lipids and body weight of middle-aged hypercholesterolemic females was studied in a double-blind controlled trial. No consistent changes were observed in serum cholesterol, triglycerides or HDL cholesterol in patients taking guar gum, placebo or no medication at all. A highly significant decrease in body weight (62.9 +/- 2.1 vs. 60.4 +/- 2.2 kg, p < 0.0005, paired comparison) was seen in subjects receiving guar gum, whereas body weight remained constant in the other two groups. It is concluded that the daily ingestion of 15 g of guar gum results in a permanent weight loss, but does not influence serum lipids in females with hypercholesterolemia.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Body Weight / drug effects*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Galactans / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / diet therapy
  • Lipids / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Mannans / pharmacology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Placebos
  • Plant Gums
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Time Factors
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Galactans
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Mannans
  • Placebos
  • Plant Gums
  • Polysaccharides
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol
  • guar gum