Blueberries 'lower cholesterol'
Blueberries could provide an alternative way to lower cholesterol, according to US
researchers.
A compound in the fruits acted as effectively as a commercial drug used to reduce
levels of the "bad" form of cholesterol in rodents.
Although the results are preliminary, the Department of Agriculture team thinks the
antioxidant ingredient could be developed as a treatment.
They presented their findings to an American Chemical Society meeting.
Antioxidant
Dr Agnes Rimando and her team studied the effect of the chemical and three other
blueberry compounds on rat liver cells.
Pterostilbene showed the most potent effect in stimulating a receptor protein in
the cells which plays an important role in lowering cholesterol and other blood fats.
This is similar to the way the commercial cholesterol-lowering drug ciprofibrate
works.
Ciprofibrate is effective but can cause muscle pain and nausea in some people.
But because the blueberry compound targets the liver cell receptor more accurately,
Dr Rimando believes it is likely to have fewer side effects.
There were no signs of side effects in the study.
Similar antioxidants have already been identified in grapes and red wine.
Other research suggests pterostilbene may help fight cancer and ward off diabetes.
Dr Rimando said: "We are excited to learn that blueberries, which are already
known to be rich in healthy compounds, may also be a potent weapon in the battle against
obesity and heart disease."
But she said until studies were conducted in humans, it would be impossible to know
how many blueberries a person would need to eat to lower their cholesterol.
Belinda Linden from the British Heart Foundation said: "Research has suggested
that natural chemicals found in fruit, including blueberries, have potent antioxidant
properties which may reduce the harmful type of cholesterol, low density lipoprotein
(LDL).
"This study claims that blueberries are particularly efficient at reducing cholesterol
in a laboratory - we will be interested to see if similar results emerge from long-term
studies involving people."
She said it was also important to remember that regular physical activity combined
with a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat was still the best
way to combat high cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/3591384.stm
Published: 2004/08/24 10:59:51 GMT
© BBC MMVI
Study: Heinenen, L.M. et al J. Agric. Food Chem. 1998, 46:4107-4112
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