[Randomized clinical trial with a inulin enriched cookie on risk cardiovascular factor in obese patients].

BACKGROUND

Inulin is a prebiotic with potential benefit in cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of our work is to evaluate in obese patients the effect of a inulin enriched cookie on cardiovascular risk factors.

METHODS

34 patients were randomized in both branches: group I (inulin enriched cookie) Gullon SL(R) and group II (control cookie). Previous and after 1 month of the treatment, a nutritional and biochemical study was realized.

RESULTS

15 patients finished the procotol in each group. In group I, an increase in soluble fiber intake (inulin) was detected. In this group a significant decrease of total cholesterol (223.1 +/- 45.3 mg/dl vs 208.8 +/- 33.1 mg/dl; p < 0.05) and LDL cholesterol (142.9 +/- 39.2 mg/dl vs 131.4 +/- 28.6 mg/dl; p < 0.05) was reached. A non significant improvement in insulin levels and HOMA was detected in inulin-enriched cookie group, too. Anthropometric parameters did not change in both groups. The increase in soluble fiber intake did not produce any gastrointestinal adverse effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The increase of fiber intake (3 g of inulin) from an enriched cookie reduced LDL cholesterol levels in obese patients.