Serum Cholesterol-Lowering Effect of Apple Polyphenols in Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Abstract: We performed a clinical study using healthy male and female subjects who had slightly elevated cholesterol levels in their serum to examine the effects of food tablets containing apple polyphenols (Applephenon�), which are effective for improving serum cholesterol concentrations in rats, on lipid metabolism in humans. The total period of this study was four weeks and we obtained blood samples at week 0 and week 4. Total cholesterol levels of the intervention groups decreased significantly and dose-dependently compared with that of the control group. We also found LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly and HDL-cholesterol increased. No abnormalities were detected in biochemical examinations of any of the subjects during the test period. We concluded that the study product is useful as a food additive that improves serum cholesterol concentrations. Such improvement is expected to decrease the risk of atherosclerosis for people with a slightly elevated total cholesterol level.