***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: BACKGROUND No studies have examined whether increased consumption of oat cereal , rich in soluble fiber , favorably alters lipoprotein particle size and number . OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of large servings of either oat or wheat cereal on plasma lipids , lipoprotein subclasses , lipoprotein particle diameters , and LDL particle number . DESIGN Thirty-six overweight men aged 50 - 75 y were r and omly assigned to consume daily for 12 wk either oat or wheat cereal providing 14 g dietary fiber/d . Before and after the intervention , plasma lipid and lipoprotein subclasses were measured with proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy , and whole-body insulin sensitivity was estimated with the frequently sample d intravenous-glucose-tolerance test . RESULTS Time-by-treatment interactions ( P < 0.05 ) for LDL cholesterol ( oat : -2.5 % ; wheat : 8.0 % ) , small LDL cholesterol ( oat : -17.3 % ; wheat : 60.4 % ) , LDL particle number ( oat : -5.0 % ; wheat : 14.2 % ) , and LDL : HDL cholesterol ( oat : -6.3 % ; wheat : 14.2 % ) were observed . Time-by-treatment interactions were nearly significant for total cholesterol ( oat : -2.5 % ; wheat : 6.3 % ; P = 0.08 ) , triacylglycerol ( oat : -6.6 % ; wheat : 22.0 % ; P = 0.07 ) , and VLDL triacylglycerol ( oat : -7.6 % ; wheat : 2.7 % ; P = 0.08 ) . No significant time-by-treatment interactions were observed for HDL cholesterol , HDL-cholesterol subclasses , or LDL , HDL , and VLDL particle diameters . Insulin sensitivity did not change significantly with either intervention . CONCLUSIONS The oat compared with the wheat cereal produced lower concentrations of small , dense LDL cholesterol and LDL particle number without producing adverse changes in blood triacylglycerol or HDL-cholesterol concentrations . These beneficial alterations may contribute to the cardioprotective effect of oat fiber BACKGROUND The US Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approved health cl aims for 2 dietary fibers , beta-glucan ( 0.75 g/serving ) and psyllium ( 1.78 g/serving ) , on the assumption that 4 servings/d would reduce cardiovascular disease risk . OBJECTIVE We assessed the efficacy of this dose of fibers in reducing serum lipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease . DESIGN Sixty-eight hyperlipidemic adults consumed a test ( high-fiber ) and a control low-fat ( 25 % of energy ) , low-cholesterol ( < 150 mg/d ) diet for 1 mo each in a r and omized crossover study . The high-fiber diet included 4 servings/d of foods containing beta-glucan or psyllium that delivered 8 g/d more soluble fiber than did similar , unsupplemented foods in the control diet .  Fasting blood sample s and blood pressure readings were obtained at baseline and weeks 2 and 4 , and the subjects ' weight was monitored weekly . RESULTS Compared with the control diet , the high-fiber diet reduced total cholesterol ( 2.1 + /- 0.7 % ; P = 0.003 ) , total : HDL cholesterol ( 2.9 + /- 0.8 % ; P = 0.001 ) , LDL : HDL cholesterol ( 2.4 + /- 1.0 % ; P = 0.015 ) , and apolipoprotein B : A-I ( 1.4 + /- 0.8 % ; P = 0.076 ) . Applying the Framingham cardiovascular disease risk equation to the data confirmed a reduction in risk of 4.2 + /- 1.4 % ( P = 0.003 ) . Small reductions in blood pressure were found after both diets . The subjects reported no significant differences in palatability or gastrointestinal symptoms between the diets . CONCLUSIONS The reduction in serum lipid risk factors for cardiovascular disease supports the FDA 's approval of a health cl aim for a dietary fiber intake of 4 servings/d . Although relatively small in terms of patient treatment , the reduction in cardiovascular disease risk is likely to be significant on a population basis BACKGROUND Dietary fiber intake remains low despite increasing evidence for its health benefits , including laxation . OBJECTIVE We aim ed to assess the effects of increasing fiber intake on bowel habits and gastrointestinal tolerance in healthy persons consuming a typical Canadian or US diet . DESIGN Under a r and omized crossover design , 23 free-living participants consumed a typical Canadian or US diet ( 35 % fat , 12 g fiber/d ) and received 25.0 - 28.7 g fiber/d from each of 5 breakfast cereals : All-Bran ( AB ) , Bran Buds with Corn ( BBC ) , Bran Buds with Psyllium ( BBP ) , BBC with viscous fiber blend ( VFB ) , or a low-fiber control for 3 wk , with each study arm separated by a washout of > /=1 wk . Seven-day stool collection s and a symptom diary were obtained during the last week of each study arm . RESULTS All study cereals induced significant ( P < 0.05 ) increases in fecal bulk from the control diet at 128 + /- 38 g to 199 + /- 56 , 199 + /- 57 , 247 + /- 87 , and 197 + /- 63 g with consumption of AB , BBC , BBP , and VFB , respectively ; less intestinal transit time ; and significantly ( P < 0.05 ) greater bowel movement frequency . Despite the increased activity of the bowel , a positive level of comfort was maintained . BBP was more effective than other cereals in terms of increasing fecal wet weight ( P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Water-insoluble dietary fibers ( ie , AB and BBC ) and their mixtures with water-soluble fibers ( ie , BBP and VFB ) in the form of breakfast cereals ( 2.5 servings/d ) proved to be a practical way of increasing fiber intake to recommended levels , while maintaining a good level of tolerance Fourteen male subjects with hypercholesterolemia received daily supplementation with granulated guar gum or placebo , 15 g/day , during 12 wk in a double-blind , cross-over trial . A statistically significant reduction in serum total cholesterol ( 7.27 + /- 0.24 versus 8.23 + /- 0.26 mmol/l , mean + /- SEM , p less than 0.01 ) which was mainly due to a reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration ( 4.70 + /- 0.19 versus 5.32 + /- 0.23 mmol/l , p less than 0.05 ) was observed after 6 wk on guar gum as compared with placebo . Between 6 and 12 wk on guar gum the serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased in most subjects , and after 12 wk the difference from placebo was no longer statistically significant . Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were unaffected by guar gum .  Serum and lipoprotein triglycerides showed no significant changes during the study , and the body weight of the subjects remained unchanged . Serum calcium , magnesium , phosphate , and iron levels , and urinary calcium excretion were not affected by guar gum supplementation . No severe side effects were observed , necessitating reduction of the dose or stopping the treatment . It is concluded that the hypocholesterolemic effect of guar gum seems to decrease during prolonged dietary supplementation . Further controlled studies are needed before the dose response and the long-term effects of guar gum in hypercholesterolemia can be evaluated Hypertension , dyslipidemia and overweight contribute substantially to cardiovascular disease risk . One of the most effective methods for improving high blood pressure and lipid profiles is loss of excess weight . Other recommendations for reducing cardiovascular risk include changes in dietary micronutrient , macronutrient and fiber intakes . To better define a diet for reduction in cardiovascular risk , 43 adults ( body mass index 26.4 + /- 3.3 , range 20.5 - 33.9 kg/m(2 ) ) participated in an 8-wk study to determine the effects of two diets on weight , blood pressure , lipids and insulin sensitivity . For 2 wk , weight was maintained and all subjects consumed a control diet . For the next 6 wk , subjects consumed one of two hypocaloric diets ( maintenance energy minus 4.2 MJ/d ) : the control diet ( n = 21 ) or a diet containing oats [ 45 g/(4.2 MJ dietary energy . d ) , n = 22 ] . There was no significant difference between groups in changes in weight loss ( control -4.0 + /- 1.1 kg , oats -3.9 + /- 1.6 kg , P = 0.8 ) . The oats diet result ed in greater decreases in mean systolic blood pressure ( oats -6 + /- 7 mm Hg , control -1 + /- 10 mm Hg , P = 0.026 ) , whereas diastolic blood pressure change did not differ between the two groups ( oats -4 + /- 6 mm Hg , control -3 + /- 5 mm Hg , P = 0.8 ) . The oat diet result ed in significantly greater decreases in total cholesterol ( oats -0.87 + /- 0.47 mmol/L , control -0.34 + /- 0.5 mmol/L , P = 0.003 ) and LDL cholesterol ( oats -0.6 + /- 0.41 mmol/L , control -0.2 + /- 0.41mmol/L , P = 0.008 ) . In summary , a hypocaloric diet containing oats consumed over 6 wk result ed in greater improvements in systolic blood pressure and lipid profile than did a hypocaloric diet without oats OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of a grape product rich in dietary fiber and natural antioxidants on cardiovascular disease risk factors . METHODS A r and omized , controlled parallel-group trial was carried out . Thirty-four non-smoking ( 21 normocholesterolemic and 13 hypercholesterolemic ) adults were supplemented for 16 wk with 7.5 g/d of grape antioxidant dietary fiber , a natural product containing 5.25 g of dietary fiber and 1400 mg of polyphenols .  Nine non-supplemented non-smokers were followed as a control group . Fasting blood sample s , blood pressure , and anthropometric readings were obtained at baseline and at week 16 . Subjects were allowed to consume their regular diet , which was monitored weekly . RESULTS Grape antioxidant dietary fiber ( 7.5 g/d ) reduced significantly ( P < 0.05 ) total cholesterol ( 9 % ) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( 9 % ) , and systolic and diastolic blood pressures ( 6 % and 5 % respectively ) . Greater reductions in total cholesterol ( 14.2 % ) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( 11.6 % , P < 0.05 ) were observed in hypercholesterolemic subjects . No changes were observed in the control group . There was a reduction of 2.5 points in the Framingham Global Risk Score in the supplemented group . A significant reduction in triacylglycerol concentration took place in the supplemented hypercholesterolemic subjects ( 18.6 % , P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSION Grape antioxidant dietary fiber showed significant reducing effects in lipid profile and blood pressure . The effects appear to be higher than the ones caused by other dietary fibers , such as oat fiber or psyllium , probably due to the combined effect of dietary fiber and antioxidants We conducted a 6-month r and omized , double-blind , parallel trial in which subjects consumed their usual diet plus arabinogalactan , a functional fiber isolated from either larch or tamarack .  Healthy human subjects ( 28 men , 26 women ) ages 18 to 55 years old consumed 8.4 g/day larch arabinogalactan ( n=18 ) , tamarack arabinogalactan ( n=19 ) , or a placebo of rice starch ( n=17 ) . Serum cholesterol , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol , triglycerides , apolipoprotein B , apolipoprotein A-I , glucose , and insulin were measured monthly . Three-day food records , body weight , blood pressure , and gastrointestinal symptom surveys were obtained monthly . Serum lipids seemed to decrease at month 2 , but there were no statistically significant differences among diets for any measured endpoint . Ara 
    Output:
    
There was a wide variety of fibre sources used , with little similarity between groups in the choice of intervention .
Adverse events , where reported , appeared to mostly reflect mild to moderate gastrointestinal side-effects and these were generally reported more in the fibre intervention groups than the control groups .
The pooled analyses for CVD risk factors suggest reductions in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol with increased fibre intake , and reductions in diastolic blood pressure .