Vitamin E, Oats May Counterattack Fat in Arteries

NEW HAVEN, Conn.--In the February American Journal of Preventive Medicine (20, 2:124-9, 2001), researchers found that a concomitant ingestion of oats and vitamin E, but not wheat, may prevent endothelial dysfunction caused by a high-fat diet.
In a randomized, cross-over study, 50 men and women who were free of cardiovascular disease underwent brachial artery reactivity studies (BARS) during a three-week period. Each week, subjects consumed a meal containing 50 g of fat served with 800 IU of vitamin E and oatmeal containing 3 g ofbeta-glucan, or a wheat cereal. Endothelial function was measured by brachial artery flow, which remained healthy after the vitamin E and oat combination. Findings from this study may have "important implications for cardiovascular health," concluded the researchers, led by David Katz from Yale University. For more,visit www.meddevel.com.