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Specific guide to this web site for:

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   Misadventures:

1. Harvard led MI study

2. JACC study 
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3. NEJM cath study

4. Amer. J. of Cardio.
    review of literature

5. ALLHAT
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6. Oat bran study

7. Pregnancy & Alcohol

8. Are Geminis really
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9. Columbia 'Miracle' Study  
                                                 

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Celebrex

Limitations of Meta-Analyses

Large Randomized Clinical Trials

Tale of Two Large
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The study¹ consisted of 84 middle aged subjects who were placed on metabolic diets randomized to supplementation with wheat bran or oat bran. Fiber was administered using 6.8 g dietary fiber per 1000 calories per day up to a maximum of 16.4 g fiber per day.  Average initial cholesterol was between 207-227 mg/dL.

There was a statistically significantly greater decrease with oat bran than wheat bran in cholesterol levels, a 10.4 mg/dL (.27 mmol/L) difference:  (.56 vs. .29mmol/L, p=.022).  In LDL cholesterol levels, there was a 9.2 mg/dL (.24 mmol/L) difference: (.39 vs. .15mmol/L, p=.024).

There was an approximate 5% decrease in serum cholesterol in the oat bran group beyond the wheat bran group.

A 5% reduction in LDL cholesterol persistently maintained may be associated with a 10% reduction in cardiovascular mortality.²

1. Wheat-bran and oat-bran supplements' effects on blood lipids and lipoproteins.  Kashtan H, Stern H, Jenkins D, Jenkins A, Hay K, Marcon N, Minkin S, Bruce WR. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;55:976-80.

2. National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation and Treatment on High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel.  Arch Intern Med 1988;148:36-9.

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