What is the approximate standard error of the mean for the high-fiber compared with the low-fiber diet (that is, the mean difference in cholesterol level between high- and low-fiber diets)?

Nutrition, Cardiovascular Disease

Previous studies have shown that supplementing the diet with oat bran may lower serum-cholesterol levels. However, it is not known whether the cholesterol is reduced by a direct effect of oat bran or by replacing fatty foods in the diet. To address this question, a study was performed to compare the effect of dietary supplementation with high-fiber oat bran (87 g/day) to dietary supplementation with a low-fiber refined wheat product on the serum cholesterol of 20 healthy participants ages 23€“49 years [3]. Each subject had a cholesterol level measured at baseline and then was randomly assigned to receive either a high-fiber or a low-fiber diet for 6 weeks. A 2-week period followed during which no supplements were taken. Participants then took the alternate supplement for a 6-week period. The results are shown in Table 7.7.

Table 7.7: Serum-cholesterol levels before and during high-fiber and low-fiber supplemention

 

Plus€“minus (±) values are mean ± sd. Values in parentheses are 95% confidence limits.

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Difference (high fiber - low fiber) Difference Difference (low fiber - baseline) High fiber (high fiber - baseline) Low fiber Baseline Total cholesterol (mg/dL) 186 ± 31 172 ± 25 172 ± 28 -1 20 -13 -14 (-21, –7) (-8, +7) (-20, –6)