Hypocholesterolemic effect of dietary polydextrose in gerbils and humans

Because polydextrose (PDX) functions as a carbohydrate with reduced absorption, its potential to lower plasma lipids was assessed in gerbils and in humans. In one experiment, gerbils were fed purified diets containing 0.15% cholesterol and either 0% or 6% PDX for 4 weeks. In the second, gerbils received a cholesterol-free diet with 0% or 6% PDX for 3 weeks, after their endogenous cholesterol pools were expanded by cholesterol supplementation. The human study involved hypercholesterolemic volunteers who consumed drinks providing either 15 or 30 g/d PDX for 4 weeks followed by 0 g PDX for 4 weeks. The gerbil studies demonstrated that 6% PDX (approximately 30 g/d human equivalent) significantly lowered plasma and liver cholesterol in both cholesterol-fed gerbils and those with expanded pools of endogenous cholesterol. In the human study, only 30 g/d PDX intake significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (approximately 6%) in a subgroup of responders. The combined studies suggest that PDX may lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as effectively as an equivalent amount of soluble fiber when supplemented at 30 g/d human equivalent.