Good news about barley products?
On December 23, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced
that whole grain barley and barley-containing products are allowed to claim that
they reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Consequently,
consumers can expect to see whole barley and dry milled barley products such
as flakes, grits, flour, meal, and barley meal bearing the health benefit claim.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the cause of almost 500,000 deaths annually.
Risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include high total cholesterol
levels and high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Scientific
evidence shows that adding barley to one's diet can provide health benefits of
serum cholesterol lowering. [1] FDA suggested an example of the health claim:
"Soluble fiber from foods such as [name of food], as part of a diet low in
saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of
[name of food] supplies [X] grams of the soluble fiber necessary per day to have
this effect."
Do you notice that FDA emphaizes the amount of soluble fibers per serving in
the health benefit claim?
What are the health benefits of barley?
The health benefits of barley are related to its cholesterol-lowering effect. There
are two explanations for its cholesterol-lowering activities:
EXPLANATIONS FOR BARLEY'S CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTIVITIES
(1) Increased fecal cholesterol excretion
Lupton JR and co-workers from Texas A&M University found that barley bran
flour increased the daily fecal weight significantly by 48.6 g. They also found
that barley bran flour decreased gastrointestinal transit time by 8.02 hours from
baseline [2] These two observations suggest that the food "travels" faster than
usual in the gut in the presence of barley, this fast transist does not allow
sufficient time for cholesterol absorption. Thus, if this explanation is true, the
cholesterol excretion should increase. Two years later, Lia A et al, University of
Goteborg, Sweden, proved that barley increased cholesterol excretion in
ileostomy subjects [3]
On the other hand, barley may increase the intestinal fluid viscosity. The
increased viscosity slows down the diffusion process decreases cholesterol
absorption but increases cholesterol excretion. Wang L et al, Montana State
University showed that barley beta-glucans altered intestinal viscosity in chicks
and this altered viscosity was related to plasma cholesterol concentration. [4]
However, some scientists just simply explained that the cholesterol-lowering
effect of barley was related to increased fecal cholesterol excretion or the high
soluble fiber content [5-6]
(2) Lipid Metabolism Regulation
As early as 1980, Qureshi AA et al reported that the cholesterol-lowering
activities of barley were related to a decreased HMG-CoA reductase and
increased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activities from their experimental study using
chicks. [7] In 1982, the same group reported that high-protein barley flour
produced significant reductions in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, plasma
cholesterol and induction in several lipogenic enzymes in birds. They suggested
that their high-protein barley flour contained an inhibitor(s) of cholesterol
biosynthesis and a growth factor(s). [8] While, Burger WC et al, reported that
barley kernel constituents decreased hepatic beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl
CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (7 alpha-hyd) but
increased fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in their studies using chickens. [9]
In 1986, Qureshi AA et al reported that they purified the non-polar fraction of
high protein barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using HPLC to yield 10 major
components. They found that components I and II were potent inhibitors of
cholesterogenesis in vivo and in vitro. They used mass spectrometry to identify
that component 1 was d-alpha-tocotrienol. The molecule differs from
tocopherols (vitamin E) only in three double bonds in the isoprenoid chain which
appear to be essential for the inhibition of cholesterogenesis. [10]
Wang L et al, Montana State University, extracted barley oil with hexane from
the grain of a high oil waxy hull-less barley. They found that barley oil had an
effect in suppression of Total plasma cholesterol concentration and Plasma low
density lipoprotein cholesterol in chicks compared to margarine. Barley oil
suppressed low density lipoprotein cholesterol but not high density lipoprotein
cholesterol in chicks compared to corn oil. They considered the greater weight
gain of the chicks fed barley oil as these chicks had normally functioning
digestion and absorption. They found alpha-Tocotrienol and gamma-tocotrienol
content of the barley oil were 24 and 17 times greater, respectively, than those
observed in the corn oil and none in the margarine (same fraction). Finally, they
considered that alpha-tocotrienol and polyunsaturated fatty acids are
hypocholesterolemic components in barley oil. [11]
Finally, Yang JL et al, Changwon University, Korea, found that barley
beta-glucan lowers serum cholesterol based on the up-regulation of cholesterol
7alpha-hydroxylase activity and mRNA abundance in cholesterol-fed rats. [12]
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS
The health benefits of barley have been shown in many studies and some key
studies are summarized as follows:
Early Studies (1990-2000)
In 1990, Zhang JX at al, University of Umea, Sweden, reported that brewer's
spent grain (a concentrated barley fibre source from the by-product of brewing)
lowered the cholesterol and bile concentration and decreased ileal and jejunal
epithelium height in hamsters. [13]
One year later, McIntosh GH et al, CSIRO, South Australia reported that
consumption of barley relative to wheat foods was associated with a significant
fall in both plasma total cholesterol and in low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol
whereas triglyceride and glucose concentrations did not change significantly
from their clinical study (n=21 mildly hypercholesterolemic men aged 30-59). [14]
Lupton JR et al, Texas A&M University, reported the cholesterol-lowering effect
of barley bran flour and oil on 79 men and women with hypercholesterolemia [15]
Ikegami S et al, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Japan, fed 20 men with
boiled barley-rice (50/50 w/w) for four weeks and they found a significant fall in
serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipids and LDL and
VLDL-lipoproteins. [16]
Studies after 2000
Scientists from Taiwan and scientists from Department of Agriculture confirmed
Barley's cholesterol-lowering effect.
Yu YM et al, China Medical College, Taiwan, reported inhibition of
hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis by barley leaf essence with a decrease in plasma
lipids and an increase in anti-oxidative abilities from the study using rabbits.
[17]. Two years later, this group reported that this extract could reduce total and
LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels based on their clinical study of 40 hyperlipidemic
smokers and/or non-smokers. And, barley leaf extract had a stronger
anti-oxidative effect on the prevention of LDL oxidation than adlay. [17]
Behall KM et al, US Department of Agriculture, reported that the diet contained
3 or 6 g beta-glucan/d from barley lowered total cholesterol significantly
compared to diet contained no beta-glucan from their five-week clinical study
using 18 female and 7 male subjects. [18] Again, in the same year, this group
reported that barley lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were
significantly from their clinical study (n=18 moderately hypercholesterolemic
men (28-62 y)) [19]
In 2003 and 2004, Li J, et al, Medical University of Yamanashi, Tamaho, Japan
and Wilson TA et al, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, reported the beneficial
effects of intake of barley on lipid metabolism and/or glucose tolerance from the
animal studies using rats and hamsters. [20]
Importance of the soluble fibers in the cholesterol-lowering activities (ie the
benefits)
In 1993, Japanese researchers, Oda T, Aoe S, Sanada H and Ayano Y at
Technical Research Institute, Saitama found that none of the insoluble fiber
preparations (from barley) had any significant effect on liver and plasma
cholesterol concentrations. But, all of the soluble fiber preparations
suppressed liver cholesterol accumulation, but they did not suppress the
elevation of plasma cholesterol concentrations. [21]. In 1994, the same group
reported that barley gum which had no significant effect on liver cholesterol; it
suppressed only the elevated serum and liver triglyceride concentration in
hypertriglyceridemic rats. [22]
There are always different results...
Finally, Keogh GF et al, University of Auckland, New Zealand found no
significant change in total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol or in triacylglycerol, fasting
glucose, or postprandial glucose from their single-blind study (n=18;
hyperlipidinc men, dose= 8.1-11.9 g beta-glucan/d (scaled to body weight)). [22]
REFERENCE [1] FDA Allows Barley Products to Claim Reduction in Risk of Coronary Heart
Disease, FDA News, December 23, 2005. [2] J Am Diet Assoc. 1993 Aug; 93 (8):
881-5].[3] Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Dec;62(6):1245-51. [4] J Nutr. 1992
Nov;122(11):2292-7][5-6] Zhang JX et al, University of Umea, Sweden; J Nutr. 1991
Jun;121(6):778-84; Martinez VM et al, Montana State University, J Nutr. 1992
May;122(5):1070-6.[7] J Nutr. 1980 Mar;110(3):388-93.][8] Lipids. 1982
Dec;17(12):956-63][9] Atherosclerosis. 1984 Apr;51(1):75-87][10] J Biol Chem. 1986
Aug 15;261(23):10544-50][11] Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1993 Jan;43(1):9-17] [12] J Nutr
Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2003 Dec;49(6):381-7].[13] APMIS. 1990 Jun;98 (6):568-74].[14]
Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 May;53(5):1205-9][15] J Am Diet Assoc. 1994 Jan;94(1):65-70][16]
[16] Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1996 Jun;49(4):317-28].[17] Jpn J Pharmacol. 2002
Jun;89(2):142-8] [17] Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Jun;27(6):802-5][18] Am J Clin Nutr. 2004
Nov;80(5):1185-93][19] J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Feb;23(1):55-62].[20] Metabolism. 2003
Sep;52(9):1206-10; J Nutr. 2004 Oct;134(10):2617-22] [21] J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo).
1993 Feb; 39 (1):73-9][22] J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1994 Apr;40(2):213-7] [22] Am
J Clin Nutr. 2003 Oct;78(4):711-8]
On December 23, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced
that whole grain barley and barley-containing products are allowed to claim that
they reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Consequently,
consumers can expect to see whole barley and dry milled barley products such
as flakes, grits, flour, meal, and barley meal bearing the health benefit claim.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the cause of almost 500,000 deaths annually.
Risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include high total cholesterol
levels and high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Scientific
evidence shows that adding barley to one's diet can provide health benefits of
serum cholesterol lowering. [1] FDA suggested an example of the health claim:
"Soluble fiber from foods such as [name of food], as part of a diet low in
saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease. A serving of
[name of food] supplies [X] grams of the soluble fiber necessary per day to have
this effect."
Do you notice that FDA emphaizes the amount of soluble fibers per serving in
the health benefit claim?
What are the health benefits of barley?
The health benefits of barley are related to its cholesterol-lowering effect. There
are two explanations for its cholesterol-lowering activities:
EXPLANATIONS FOR BARLEY'S CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING ACTIVITIES
(1) Increased fecal cholesterol excretion
Lupton JR and co-workers from Texas A&M University found that barley bran
flour increased the daily fecal weight significantly by 48.6 g. They also found
that barley bran flour decreased gastrointestinal transit time by 8.02 hours from
baseline [2] These two observations suggest that the food "travels" faster than
usual in the gut in the presence of barley, this fast transist does not allow
sufficient time for cholesterol absorption. Thus, if this explanation is true, the
cholesterol excretion should increase. Two years later, Lia A et al, University of
Goteborg, Sweden, proved that barley increased cholesterol excretion in
ileostomy subjects [3]
On the other hand, barley may increase the intestinal fluid viscosity. The
increased viscosity slows down the diffusion process decreases cholesterol
absorption but increases cholesterol excretion. Wang L et al, Montana State
University showed that barley beta-glucans altered intestinal viscosity in chicks
and this altered viscosity was related to plasma cholesterol concentration. [4]
However, some scientists just simply explained that the cholesterol-lowering
effect of barley was related to increased fecal cholesterol excretion or the high
soluble fiber content [5-6]
(2) Lipid Metabolism Regulation
As early as 1980, Qureshi AA et al reported that the cholesterol-lowering
activities of barley were related to a decreased HMG-CoA reductase and
increased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activities from their experimental study using
chicks. [7] In 1982, the same group reported that high-protein barley flour
produced significant reductions in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, plasma
cholesterol and induction in several lipogenic enzymes in birds. They suggested
that their high-protein barley flour contained an inhibitor(s) of cholesterol
biosynthesis and a growth factor(s). [8] While, Burger WC et al, reported that
barley kernel constituents decreased hepatic beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl
CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (7 alpha-hyd) but
increased fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in their studies using chickens. [9]
In 1986, Qureshi AA et al reported that they purified the non-polar fraction of
high protein barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) using HPLC to yield 10 major
components. They found that components I and II were potent inhibitors of
cholesterogenesis in vivo and in vitro. They used mass spectrometry to identify
that component 1 was d-alpha-tocotrienol. The molecule differs from
tocopherols (vitamin E) only in three double bonds in the isoprenoid chain which
appear to be essential for the inhibition of cholesterogenesis. [10]
Wang L et al, Montana State University, extracted barley oil with hexane from
the grain of a high oil waxy hull-less barley. They found that barley oil had an
effect in suppression of Total plasma cholesterol concentration and Plasma low
density lipoprotein cholesterol in chicks compared to margarine. Barley oil
suppressed low density lipoprotein cholesterol but not high density lipoprotein
cholesterol in chicks compared to corn oil. They considered the greater weight
gain of the chicks fed barley oil as these chicks had normally functioning
digestion and absorption. They found alpha-Tocotrienol and gamma-tocotrienol
content of the barley oil were 24 and 17 times greater, respectively, than those
observed in the corn oil and none in the margarine (same fraction). Finally, they
considered that alpha-tocotrienol and polyunsaturated fatty acids are
hypocholesterolemic components in barley oil. [11]
Finally, Yang JL et al, Changwon University, Korea, found that barley
beta-glucan lowers serum cholesterol based on the up-regulation of cholesterol
7alpha-hydroxylase activity and mRNA abundance in cholesterol-fed rats. [12]
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS
The health benefits of barley have been shown in many studies and some key
studies are summarized as follows:
Early Studies (1990-2000)
In 1990, Zhang JX at al, University of Umea, Sweden, reported that brewer's
spent grain (a concentrated barley fibre source from the by-product of brewing)
lowered the cholesterol and bile concentration and decreased ileal and jejunal
epithelium height in hamsters. [13]
One year later, McIntosh GH et al, CSIRO, South Australia reported that
consumption of barley relative to wheat foods was associated with a significant
fall in both plasma total cholesterol and in low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol
whereas triglyceride and glucose concentrations did not change significantly
from their clinical study (n=21 mildly hypercholesterolemic men aged 30-59). [14]
Lupton JR et al, Texas A&M University, reported the cholesterol-lowering effect
of barley bran flour and oil on 79 men and women with hypercholesterolemia [15]
Ikegami S et al, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, Japan, fed 20 men with
boiled barley-rice (50/50 w/w) for four weeks and they found a significant fall in
serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipids and LDL and
VLDL-lipoproteins. [16]
Studies after 2000
Scientists from Taiwan and scientists from Department of Agriculture confirmed
Barley's cholesterol-lowering effect.
Yu YM et al, China Medical College, Taiwan, reported inhibition of
hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis by barley leaf essence with a decrease in plasma
lipids and an increase in anti-oxidative abilities from the study using rabbits.
[17]. Two years later, this group reported that this extract could reduce total and
LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels based on their clinical study of 40 hyperlipidemic
smokers and/or non-smokers. And, barley leaf extract had a stronger
anti-oxidative effect on the prevention of LDL oxidation than adlay. [17]
Behall KM et al, US Department of Agriculture, reported that the diet contained
3 or 6 g beta-glucan/d from barley lowered total cholesterol significantly
compared to diet contained no beta-glucan from their five-week clinical study
using 18 female and 7 male subjects. [18] Again, in the same year, this group
reported that barley lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were
significantly from their clinical study (n=18 moderately hypercholesterolemic
men (28-62 y)) [19]
In 2003 and 2004, Li J, et al, Medical University of Yamanashi, Tamaho, Japan
and Wilson TA et al, University of Massachusetts-Lowell, reported the beneficial
effects of intake of barley on lipid metabolism and/or glucose tolerance from the
animal studies using rats and hamsters. [20]
Importance of the soluble fibers in the cholesterol-lowering activities (ie the
benefits)
In 1993, Japanese researchers, Oda T, Aoe S, Sanada H and Ayano Y at
Technical Research Institute, Saitama found that none of the insoluble fiber
preparations (from barley) had any significant effect on liver and plasma
cholesterol concentrations. But, all of the soluble fiber preparations
suppressed liver cholesterol accumulation, but they did not suppress the
elevation of plasma cholesterol concentrations. [21]. In 1994, the same group
reported that barley gum which had no significant effect on liver cholesterol; it
suppressed only the elevated serum and liver triglyceride concentration in
hypertriglyceridemic rats. [22]
There are always different results...
Finally, Keogh GF et al, University of Auckland, New Zealand found no
significant change in total, LDL, or HDL cholesterol or in triacylglycerol, fasting
glucose, or postprandial glucose from their single-blind study (n=18;
hyperlipidinc men, dose= 8.1-11.9 g beta-glucan/d (scaled to body weight)). [22]
REFERENCE [1] FDA Allows Barley Products to Claim Reduction in Risk of Coronary Heart
Disease, FDA News, December 23, 2005. [2] J Am Diet Assoc. 1993 Aug; 93 (8):
881-5].[3] Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Dec;62(6):1245-51. [4] J Nutr. 1992
Nov;122(11):2292-7][5-6] Zhang JX et al, University of Umea, Sweden; J Nutr. 1991
Jun;121(6):778-84; Martinez VM et al, Montana State University, J Nutr. 1992
May;122(5):1070-6.[7] J Nutr. 1980 Mar;110(3):388-93.][8] Lipids. 1982
Dec;17(12):956-63][9] Atherosclerosis. 1984 Apr;51(1):75-87][10] J Biol Chem. 1986
Aug 15;261(23):10544-50][11] Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1993 Jan;43(1):9-17] [12] J Nutr
Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2003 Dec;49(6):381-7].[13] APMIS. 1990 Jun;98 (6):568-74].[14]
Am J Clin Nutr. 1991 May;53(5):1205-9][15] J Am Diet Assoc. 1994 Jan;94(1):65-70][16]
[16] Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 1996 Jun;49(4):317-28].[17] Jpn J Pharmacol. 2002
Jun;89(2):142-8] [17] Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Jun;27(6):802-5][18] Am J Clin Nutr. 2004
Nov;80(5):1185-93][19] J Am Coll Nutr. 2004 Feb;23(1):55-62].[20] Metabolism. 2003
Sep;52(9):1206-10; J Nutr. 2004 Oct;134(10):2617-22] [21] J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo).
1993 Feb; 39 (1):73-9][22] J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 1994 Apr;40(2):213-7] [22] Am
J Clin Nutr. 2003 Oct;78(4):711-8]
Barley
Fructus Hordei Germinatus mai ya 麥芽 Hordeum sativum Jess. var. vulgar, Hack. sprouts) bakuga,da
mai ya 大麥 芽,sheng mai ya, 生麥芽,chao mai ya 炒麥芽,jiao mai ya 焦麥芽, barley grass, hordeum vulgare
grass, pearl barley grass, scotch barley grassBenefits and Side Effects; RESEARCH FINDS
Zhion@Zhion.com May 12, 2006
Fructus Hordei Germinatus mai ya 麥芽 Hordeum sativum Jess. var. vulgar, Hack. sprouts) bakuga,da
mai ya 大麥 芽,sheng mai ya, 生麥芽,chao mai ya 炒麥芽,jiao mai ya 焦麥芽, barley grass, hordeum vulgare
grass, pearl barley grass, scotch barley grassBenefits and Side Effects; RESEARCH FINDS
Zhion@Zhion.com May 12, 2006
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Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Bladderwrack
Bilberry
Chromium
CLA
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Colostrum
Dandelion
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eve. Primrose Oil
Fish Oil
Flaxseed
Garlic
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Gotu Kola
Guar Gum
Hyaluronic acid
Lecithin
Lycopene
Milk Thistle
Nattokinase
Passion Flower
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Pycnogenol
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Royal Jelly
Stevia
Whey
Xylitol
 |  |  |  |  |
THIS WEBSITE TALKS ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THE POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF HERBS, SUPPLEMENTS,
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
PHYTONUTRIENTS AND DRUG PRODUCTS. THIS WEBSITE ALSO TALKS ABOUT SOME POPULAR HEALTH ISSUES AND DISEASES.
ARTICLES IN THIS WEB SITE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR
DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2008. DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER ARTICLES TO OTHER WEBSITES NOR OTHER
FORMS OF PUBLICATIONS. Privacy Policy. ARTICLE INDEX
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