Oats and Cholesterol Lowering - Summary of Studies
Oat products are among the few foods which have been rigorously tested in controlled clinical studies and found to be effective in lowering blood total and LDL-cholesterol when consumed on a regular basis. These controlled studies have demonstrated that oat products can add to the cholesterol-lowering effect resulting from a low fat diet by eliciting further reductions in blood cholesterol which are independent of the reduction in fat intake. These studies have also found that oat products can be readily incorporated into the typical American diet and that individuals consuming these products at levels required to observe a cholesterol-lowering effect do so without any major shifts in nutrient intake other than soluble fiber. The scientific evidence is clear, regular consumption of oat products providing 3 grams or more per day of oat soluble fiber (beta-glucan) results in a reduction of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. In addition, oatmeal, whether it is made from old fashioned, quick, instant, or steel cut oats, are all whole grain foods.

Old fashioned oats are whole grain oat kernels which have been rolled flat. Steel cut oats are made by cutting the oat kernel into thirds. Quick and instant oats are made by taking steel cut oats and rolling them flat. The only difference between these different types of whole grain oats is the amount of time it takes to cook them and their texture. Thinner, smaller, rolled oats (quick and instant) cook faster and have a lighter texture. Thicker rolled oats (old fashioned) and steel cut oats take longer to cook and have a heartier texture.

The following are selected published articles regarding the cholesterol-lowering ability of oats in humans.

Oat bran lowers serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic subjects when consumed as part of a low fat diet
Maier, S.M., Turner, N.D., and Lupton, J.R. Serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic men and women consuming oat bran and amaranth products. Cereal Chem. 77(3): 297-302, 2000.

Soluble fibers are hypocholesterolemic
Brown, L., Rosner, B., Willett, W.W., and Sacks, F.M. Cholesterol-lowering effects of dietary fiber: a meta-analysis. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 69:30-42, 1999.