Natural hypocholesterolemic agent: pectin plus ascorbic acid

Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1979;49(4):406-12.

Abstract

An addition of 5% citrus pectin and 0.5% ascorbic acid to high-fat diet of guinea pigs prevented total cholesterol accumulation in blood serum and the liver. Two groups of persons were given a preparation containing a daily dose of 15 g pectin and 450 mg ascorbic acid for 6 weeks. In 21 healthy persons with mild hypercholesterolemia total serum cholesterol dropped significantly by 24 mg/100 ml (8.6%), while the concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol remained unchanged. In 11 hyperlipemic outpatients (type IIa, IIb and IV) total serum cholesterol dropped by 68 mg/100 ml (18.7%). The changes in triglyceridemia proved inconsistent.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anticholesteremic Agents*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cholesterol / blood*
  • Cholesterol / metabolism
  • Fasting
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood*
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / blood
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Pectins / pharmacology*
  • Reference Values
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Triglycerides
  • Pectins
  • Cholesterol
  • Ascorbic Acid