The effect of wheat grem on the lipid prcfile of hyperlipidemia patients

Ïntroduction: Çoronary heart disease (ÇHD) is one of the main causes of mortality in the world. Ïncreased levels of serum total cholesterol (TÇ) and triglyceride (TG) are among the risk factors for ÇHD. Previous studies showed the effect of wheat germ on digestion, absorption and metabolism of fat. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of wheat germ on lipid profile in hyperlipidemic patients. This experimental trial was conducted on 15 hyperlipidemic patients with the average age of 45.7 ± 7, with no history of diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hyper and hypothyroidesm, smoking and alcohol consumption. They were not on estrogen pills, antioxidant mutivitamins and lipid lowering drugs for the previous three months. They were asked to consume 30 g raw wheat germ each day for four weeks, and continue their normal diet (Follow up peiod) for the following four weeks. Dietary records were taken for three days prior to the study, for two days during the intervention and for two days in the follow up period. The collected data were analyzed using reapted measure ÂNÔVÂ. Ïf the statistical significance was detected, paired-t-test, was subsequenty used. The consumption of wheat germ for four weeks lowered the serum TÇ (P<0.002), TG (P<0.001) and VLDL-Ç(P<0.001). These levels were significantly increased after the follow up period, but they did not reach the base line level. HDL-Ç level, and the ratios of HDL-Ç/TÇ and HDL-Ç/LDL-Ç were not significantly changed. Çonclusion: Çonsumption of wheat germ may lower the risk of ÇHD by reducting the serum lipids.