Effect of Oat β-Glucan on Affective and Physical Feeling States in Healthy Adults: Evidence for Reduced Headache, Fatigue, Anxiety and Limb/Joint Pains

Abstract

The gastrointestinal (GI) side-effects of dietary fibers are recognized, but less is known about their effects on non-GI symptoms. We assessed non-GI symptoms in a trial of the LDL-cholesterol lowering effect of oat β-glucan (OBG). Participants (n = 207) with borderline high LDL-cholesterol were randomized to an OBG (1 g OBG, n = 104, n = 96 analyzed) or Control (n = 103, n = 95 analyzed) beverage 3-times daily for 4 weeks. At screening, baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks participants rated the severity of 16 non-GI symptoms as none, mild, moderate or severe. The occurrence and severity (more or less severe than pre-treatment) were compared using chi-squared and Fisher’s exact test, respectively. During OBG treatment, the occurrence of exhaustion and fatigue decreased versus baseline (p < 0.05). The severity of headache (2 weeks, p = 0.032), anxiety (2 weeks p = 0.059) and feeling cold (4 weeks, p = 0.040) were less on OBG than Control. The severity of fatigue and hot flashes at 4 weeks, limb/joint pain at 2 weeks and difficulty concentrating at both times decreased on OBG versus baseline. High serum c-reactive-protein and changes in c-reactive-protein, oxidized-LDL, and GI-symptom severity were associated with the occurrence and severity of several non-GI symptoms. These data provide preliminary, hypothesis-generating evidence that OBG may reduce several non-GI symptoms in healthy adults.

Multiple Antioxidative and Bioactive Molecules of Oats (Avena sativa L.) in Human Health

“…β-glucan regulates the gastrointestinal transit rate after meals and starch digestion to dilute blood sugar level through changes in the glycemic index, thereby reducing the insulinemic response in diabetes [ 41 , 45 ]. In addition, β-glucan has various physiological effects such as preventing cardiovascular diseases by controlling the blood pressure and anti-obesity and anti-cancer effects (e.g., prevention of colorectal cancer) [ 18 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 ]. It lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level in the blood and elevates high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level to help maintain normal blood lipid concentration and body weight [ 56 ].…”

“…However, some moderate adverse effects have been reported. Symptoms including ulcerative colitis, diarrhea, back pain, joint pain, kidney disease, circadian disruption-induced metabolic syndrome, bile acid storage and vascular calcium storage are reported to be ameliorated in the specific conditions such as ingestion with a high-dose-limiting concentration of β-glucan [ 48 , 49 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 ]. It remains to be elucidated whether this intake is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.…”

“…In addition, dietary intake of β-glucan may be unsafe for an individual with certain disease-related conditions such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex [ 69 ]. However, no serious adverse effects related to β-glucan supplementations have been reported during laboratory and clinical trials except in some special cases as mentioned above [ 49 , 70 , 71 ].…”

Oats Lower Age-Related Systemic Chronic Inflammation (iAge) in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease

“…For instance, common oat ( Avena sativa ) and its constituents have gained considerable attention not only as important food supplements but also as immunomodulators with potential effects on the prevention of age-related disease [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Salient compounds found in oats that may mediate its clinical benefit include -glucans, as demonstrated by multiple studies in humans where supplementation with -glucan extract resulted in important health benefits, including a significant reduction in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein and CVD risk [ 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ]. Furthermore, the US database ClinicalTrials.gov summarizes over 120 β-glucan clinical trials, mostly in cancer, metabolic syndrome, gastrointestinal tract therapy, lowering non-HDL cholesterol, and immune response improvements.…”

Beta-Glucan in Foods and Health Benefits

“…Structural studies report that combinations of β-1,3 and β-1,6 bonds form long linear β-glucans, and these structures can be detected by specific intestinal receptors, such as dectin-1, which then stimulate the immunological system [ 1 ]. Cereal β-glucans that have been derived from barley and oats have also been widely researched in both animal and human studies [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. They are water soluble, viscous polysaccharides with a linear structure in which glucose is bound through β-1,4 and β-1,3 linkages.…”