Tyler Wisniewski

Dr. Gyekis

BBH 411

2 March 2016

Short Paper 2

For many years, cereal company General Mills has claimed that in just 6 weeks,

Cheerios can reduce bad cholesterol by an average of 4%. Cheerios is clinically proven to lower

cholesterol (Hitti, 2009). While this message has received significant backlash from the FDA,

the Livestrong Foundation supports it and mentions a current studys research findings on their

website. One of the most widely cited studies in regards to this message was conducted at the

University of Minnesota Heart Disease Prevention Clinic near the turn of the century.

Researchers randomly assigned two groups of adults aged 40-75 to a 6 week diet consisting of

either Cheerios or corn flakes. After 6 weeks, overall cholesterol dropped 3.8% and low-density

lipoprotein cholesterol fell by 4.2% in the Cheerios group (Johnston, Reynolds, Hunninghake,

Schultz, and Westereng 1). Prior to being split into control (corn flakes) and experiment

(Cheerios) groups, all subjects underwent a 6 week National Cholesterol Education Program

Step One diet. Overall, the clinical trial concluded that incorporating whole grain oat foods, such

as Cheerios, into ones diet can lead to a decrease in cholesterol (Johnston et al. 11).

Another study conducted in 2005 at the Columbia University Medical Center similarly

looked at the impact of oat-containing cereal on Hispanic Americans. Approximately 150 adults

aged 30-70 were randomly assigned to either corn flakes or Cheerios for 6 weeks. Before this,

subjects LDL-cholesterol levels were taken as a baseline, and individuals also underwent the

Step One diet for 5 weeks. After completion of the study, total cholesterol fell 4.5% and LDL
levels decreased by 5.3% among Hispanic American (Karmally, Montez, Palmas, Martinez,

Branstetter, Ramakrishnan, Holleran, Haffner, and Ginsberg 1). Corn flake consumption had no

significant impact on total cholesterol or LDL cholesterol. Unlike the previously mentioned

study, Dr. Wahida Karmally and colleagues specifically state the importance of a cholesterol-

lowering diet. Cheerios can be of great benefit but only if one is sticking to a specific

cholesterol-lowering regimen (Karmally et al. 970).

One narrative review further confirms the findings. An article recently published in Food

& Function describes dietary fibers effect on health and the many other benefits involved with

high fiber diets. More importantly, it mentions that fibers other than oat also possess cholesterol

lowering properties (Aleixandre and Miguel 2). While dietary fiber intake has been linked to

decreases in blood pressure, researchers continue to debate the antihypertensive properties of

fiber since the underlying mechanisms have not yet been substantiated. In order for such a

statement to be considered fact, research proving long-term antihypertensive effects must be

conducted (Aleixandre and Miguel 5).

Another narrative review article examined the evidence provided from multiple

randomized clinical trials (RCT) in regards to dietary fiber impact on CVD. Among the 23 RCTS

reviewed, almost all were short-term studies, included small sample sizes, and failed to address

risk of bias (Hartley, May, Loveman, Colquitt, Rees, 2016). However, all agreed that increased

dietary fiber intake led to a decrease in both total and LDL cholesterol and also diastolic blood

pressure.

Much evidence exists to support Cheerios claim regarding decrease in cholesterol levels.

However, much more emphasis needs to be put on the importance of maintaining a low-

cholesterol diet in addition to eating 3.0 cups of Cheerios each day. Many are slightly deceived
into thinking that Cheerios is an instant fix to a complicated problem. The cereal can be slightly

beneficial if supplemented with a healthier diet.

I am the son of two middle-aged Caucasian adults nearing retirement. After speaking

with my mother about her annual medical checkup, I find out her LDL levels are high (> 140).

Its not a surprise since she rarely exercises, drinks alcohol daily, and has a thyroid condition.

Knowing of these unhealthy lifestyle choices, I say, Mom, you should really look into starting a

low-cholesterol diet. Its as simple as choosing healthier options such as whole wheat and eating

more vegetables. Even daily consumption of Cheerios has its benefits. She responds, Tyler,

something is going to kill me eventually. Why should I endure such changes at my age? Dont

you want to be around for the future and your grandchildren? Since you put it that way, I

promise to start making healthier decisions when eating.

Another situation I found myself in involved two high school friends currently enrolled at

Penn State. After discussing our lifestyles, I told them, You know, certain studies have

supported the notion that eating Cheerios can slightly decrease your cholesterol. Somewhat

taken back, they respond, Seriously?! So, all we have to do is eat more cereal? Well, you also

need to be eating healthier overall. Adding Cheerios to your daily breakfast will only benefit you

since it contains whole grain. Thanks for the tip!

A final situation involves me working as a dietitian in a southern neighborhood where

obesity rates are through the roof. Knowing that high cholesterol levels can lead to CVD, Im

always informing my clients of the many healthy alternatives available when dining. One patient

in particular, Matilda, informs me that shes trying to lower cholesterol using certain

supplements. I tell her, One is unlikely to receive satisfactory results simply from supplements.

If youre really concerned about your health, you must approach your lifestyle in a new manner.
She responds, I already exercise daily and refrain from drinking. I dont have easy access to

fresh produce. What am I to do? Start off small. If going fast-food, choose healthier options

like grilled chicken and sweet potato fries. For breakfast, choose whole grain cereals like

Cheerios over sugary ones. Okay. I promise to begin such changes and will report back about

my activity in two weeks.

 Works Cited

Aleixandre, Amaya and Marta Miguel. Dietary fiber and blood pressure control. Food &

Function. Royal Society of Chemistry, 15 February 2016. 2 March 2016.

<http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2016/fo/c5fo00950b#!divAbstract>

Hartley, Louise, Michael May, Emma Loveman, Jill Colquitt, and Karen Rees. Dietary fibre

for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cochrane Library. Cochrane

Database of Systematic Reviews, 7 January 2016. 2 March 2016.

<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD011472.pub2/full

Hitti, Miranda. FDA Warns Cheerios on Health Claims. WebMd. WedMD, LLC, 13 May

2009. 2 March 2016. <http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/20090513/fda-warns-on

cheerios-health-claims>

Johnston, Liz, et al. "Cholesterol-lowering benefits of a whole grain oat ready-to-eat

cereal." Nutr Clin Care 1.1 (1998): 6-12. 2 March 2016.

<http://thelastpsychiatrist.com/images/cheerios.pdf>

Wahida Karmally, Maria G. Montez, Walter Palmas, Wendy Martinez, Anita Branstetter,

Rajasekhar Ramakrishnan, Steve F. Holleran, Steven M. Haffner, Henry N. Ginsberg,

Cholesterol-Lowering Benefits of Oat-Containing Cereal in Hispanic Americans

Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Volume 105, Issue 6, June 2005, Pages

967-970, ISSN 0002-8223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2005.03.006.

<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002822305003172>