Inulin

Inulin is used as a prebiotic which has been found to help lower cholesterol if supplemented in the diet. Research conducted by Kim and Shin found that the administration of inulin for 4-weeks decreased serum LDL-cholesterol and increased serum HDL-cholesterol levels in rats. Rats fed with inulin also showed higher excretions of fecal lipid and cholesterol, mainly attributed to reduced cholesterol absorption. A Chinese study showed no change in intestinal lipase activity with 2-4g/kg FOS supplementation in the diet of chickens.

Delgado et al reviewed the potential of yacon, a tuberous Andean plant that presents high content of fructooligosaccharides and inulin, and concluded that the consumption of FOS and inulin improves the growth of bifidobacteria in the colon, enhances mineral absorption and gastrointestinal metabolism and plays a role in the regulation of serum cholesterol. Merino-Aguilar et al treated obese rats with FOS fraction extracted from Psacalium decompositum for 12 weeks and found decreased body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, and significantly reduced cytokines IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, IL-1β and VEGF levels.