From Breakfast Bowl to Biological Age: How Oats Can Help Turn Back the Clock on Inflammation

Posted on:  April 27th 2024 | Written By: GreenMedInfo Research Group

In the quest for a longer, healthier life, could the answer lie in a simple bowl of oats? A groundbreaking study reveals that this humble grain may hold the key to reducing age-related chronic inflammation, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease and other age-related ailments.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, despite being largely preventable.¹ Recent research has shed light on the role of the immune system, particularly systemic chronic inflammation (SCI), in the development of CVD.¹ Targeting SCI may provide a new avenue for preventing or delaying the onset of CVD.

In a recent placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, researchers investigated the effects of an oat product containing 3 g of β-Glucan on cholesterol levels and cardiovascular risk in adults with borderline high cholesterol.¹ The study found that the oat product improved low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and reduced cardiovascular risk.¹

To further explore the potential benefits of oats, Dioum et al. conducted a secondary analysis of the serum samples from the trial participants.¹ They investigated the effects of the oat product on a novel metric for SCI called Inflammatory Age® (iAge®), derived from the Stanford 1000 Immunomes Project.¹ The iAge® predicts multimorbidity, frailty, immune decline, premature cardiovascular aging, and all-cause mortality on a personalized level.¹

The researchers found that the oat product had a beneficial effect on subjects with elevated levels of iAge® at baseline (>49.6 iAge® years) as early as two weeks post-treatment.¹ In contrast, the rice control group did not show any significant change in iAge®.¹ Interestingly, the effects of the oat product on iAge® were largely driven by a decrease in the Eotaxin-1 protein, an aging-related chemokine, independent of a person’s gender, body mass index, or chronological age.¹

These findings suggest that oats may play a novel anti-inflammatory role in reducing SCI and promoting healthy aging. The study highlights the potential impact of oats on functional, preventative, and personalized medicine.¹

Oats have been extensively studied for their various health benefits, as evidenced by the comprehensive research document from GreenMedInfo.com.² This document compiles 91 unique research articles on the therapeutic properties of oats, covering a wide range of conditions.²

The top 10 conditions that may benefit from oat consumption, according to the GreenMedInfo.com research document, include:²

1. High Cholesterol: Oats have been shown to significantly lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with hypercholesterolemia.²
2. Cardiovascular Diseases: Regular consumption of oats may reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by improving blood pressure, reducing inflammation, and enhancing endothelial function.²
3. Inflammation: Oats contain unique polyphenols with strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce chronic inflammation associated with various diseases.²
4. Obesity: Consuming oats or oat-containing food products has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol in lean, overweight, and obese adults, potentially aiding in weight management.²
5. Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2: Oat consumption may improve insulin sensitivity, blood sugar control, and lipid profiles in individuals with type 2 diabetes.²
6. Hypercholesterolemia: Oat-derived beta-glucan has been found to significantly improve HDL cholesterol and diminish LDL and non-HDL cholesterol in overweight individuals with mild hypercholesterolemia.²
7. Celiac Disease: Certain varieties of oats may be safely consumed by individuals with celiac disease, improving the nutritional value of a gluten-free diet.²
8. Endothelial Dysfunction: Oats may improve endothelial function in overweight, dyslipidemic adults, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.²
9. Insulin Resistance: Consuming oats or oat-containing food products may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity.²
10. Hypertension: Regular consumption of oats may help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of hypertension, possibly due to the presence of beta-glucan and other bioactive compounds.²

In conclusion, the study by Dioum et al. provides novel insights into the anti-inflammatory properties of oats and their potential role in reducing age-related systemic chronic inflammation.¹ The findings, along with the extensive research compiled by GreenMedInfo.com, highlight the importance of incorporating oats into a healthy diet for the prevention and management of various chronic diseases, particularly those associated with aging and cardiovascular health.² As we continue to unravel the complex relationship between diet, inflammation, and healthy aging, oats may prove to be a simple yet powerful tool in our pursuit of a longer, healthier life.

1. Dioum, E. H. M., Schneider, K. L., Vigerust, D. J., Cox, B. D., Chu, Y., Zachwieja, J. J., & Furman, D. (2022). Oats Lower Age-Related Systemic Chronic Inflammation (iAge) in Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients, 14(21), 4471. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14214471
2. GreenMedInfo. (n.d.). Oats. GreenMedInfo.com. Retrieved from https://www.greenmedinfo.com/substance/oats