Oats: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications

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Oats are a cereal crop grown since the Bronze Age in temperate regions. It is an annual plant that grows 50 cm to 1.5 m. The parts used in therapeutics are the seeds, the bran, and the aerial parts harvested before flowering. Oats are a source of soluble fibers including Beta-glucans. It contains triterpene saponins, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids, starch, phytates, proteins, and coumarins. Oats are also composed of nutrients such as silicic acid, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, and K, and amino acids. The seed contains gluten. In recent years, oats have gained a reputation as a superfood due to their high nutritional content and cardiovascular benefits.

Other name(s) 

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Scientific name(s)

Avena sativa

Family or group: 

Plants

Active ingredients:

Beta-glucans

Avenanthramides


Indications

Rating methodology

EFSA approval.

Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, including a significant number of patients (>100) with consistently positive outcomes for the indication.
Several clinical trials (> 2) randomized controlled with double blind, and including a significant number of patients (>100) with positive outcomes for the indication.
One or more randomized studies or multiple cohorts or epidemiological studies with positive outcomes for the indication.
Clinical studies exist but are uncontrolled, with conclusions that may be positive or contradictory.
Lack of clinical studies to date that can demonstrate the indication.


Hypercholesterolemia
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Oats, oat bran, and other soluble fibers can modestly reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when consumed as part of a low saturated fat diet. Consuming 56 to 150 grams of whole oat products, such as oatmeal and oat bran, containing 3.6 to 10 grams of beta-glucan, also known as soluble fiber, can significantly reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. For each gram of beta-glucan consumed, total cholesterol decreases by approximately 1.42 mg/dL and LDL by about 1.23 mg/dL. Consumption of 3 to 10 grams of beta-glucan can reduce total cholesterol by about 4 to 14 mg/dL; however, soluble fiber doses greater than 10 grams/day do not seem to increase effectiveness. The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has determined that oat-based products contribute to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels provided that the dietary supplement (or food) contains at least 1 gram of beta-glucans per serving and that the person ingests 3 grams of beta-glucans per day.

Posologie

posologieOral: bran, flake

posologie3 - 10 g

formulationflakes


Coronary Heart Diseases
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Clinical research shows that a diet containing fiber-rich foods like oats, oat bran, whole oatmeal, and oats reduces the risk of heart disease. In 1997, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a health claim that consuming at least 3 grams of soluble fiber per day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, and this was followed by similar approvals in 2004 from the UK's Joint Health Claims Initiative. Recent studies have confirmed that consumption of oat β-glucan at daily doses of at least 3 g can reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in plasma by 5 to 10% in individuals with or without hypercholesterolemia.

Posologie

posologieOral: bran, flakes

posologie3 g

formulationflakes


Type 2 Diabetes
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Results from several studies suggest that consuming oats as part of a diet can help prevent diabetes or improve glycemic control in diabetic patients. Studies show that for every 16 grams daily serving of whole grains, including oats, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is reduced by 11% in men and 7% in women. It is also proven that oat consumption can reduce blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as lipid levels, in diabetic patients. Clinical research shows that consuming oatmeal and oat bran for 4 to 8 weeks decreases pre-prandial blood glucose, 24-hour blood glucose, HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin), insulin levels, and LDL cholesterol in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Other clinical research conducted in obese patients with type 2 diabetes shows that daily consumption of 50 grams or 100 grams of whole oats in place of other carbohydrates in a healthy diet reduces postprandial blood glucose by 19 to 27 mg/dL during the first 30 days, compared to other carbohydrates in a healthy diet. After a year, the groups consuming 50 grams and 100 grams of oats showed an additional reduction of 0.48% and 0.64% in HbA1c, respectively, compared to the group following a normal healthy diet. Though this change was only statistically significant for the 100 grams group, it seems that daily consumption of 50 grams of oats, containing 25 grams of soluble fiber, could be more effective in improving glycemic control and reducing hyperinsulinemia. The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) estimates that oat-based products reduce postprandial glycemic peaks given that the food contains at least 4 grams of beta-glucans for every 30 grams of carbohydrates present in the food, and that this food containing oats is consumed within a meal.

Posologie

posologieOral: bran, flakes

posologie4 - 25 g

formulationflakes


Dermatoses
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The daily use of moisturizing and/or cleansing products containing colloidal oatmeal appears to improve atopic dermatitis, particularly the extent of lesions, itching, and dryness. In a controlled trial, an emollient treatment (containing oatmeal extract) for 6 weeks significantly reduced the use of topical corticosteroids in infants with atopic dermatitis.

Posologie

posologieTopical: seed

formulationcolloidal bath, lotion, colloidal lotion


Hypertension
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A randomized controlled trial in patients with stage 1 hypertension receiving dietary advice shows that consuming 30 grams of oat bran, providing 8.9 grams of dietary fiber, once daily at breakfast or between meals for 3 months, improves systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Oat consumption may also enhance blood pressure figures in patients taking antihypertensive medications, more than medications alone.

Posologie

posologieOral: flakes

posologie75 g

formulationflakes


Gastric Cancer
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An observational study has revealed that consuming a diet including cereal fibers, such as oats and oat bran, could reduce the incidence of stomach cancer.

Posologie

posologieOral: bran, flakes

formulationflakes


Fatigue
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An in vivo study on rats showed that beta-glucan improved endurance and recovery in cases of fatigue.

Posologie

posologieOral: seed, straw

posologie3 g

formulationhydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract


Dry Skin
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The use of a lotion containing a colloidal oatmeal extract seems to improve dry skin. Preliminary clinical research shows that applying a lotion containing colloidal oatmeal extract twice daily for two weeks improves itching, scaling, and dryness compared to baseline in women with dry skin. Other preliminary clinical research indicates that applying a colloidal oatmeal lotion to the legs twice daily for three weeks reduces skin dryness and improves skin integrity in adults with dry skin.

Posologie

posologieTopical: seed

formulationcolloidal bath, lotion, colloidal lotion


Itching
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Topical oatmeal has traditionally been used to relieve itching and irritation associated with various skin conditions. These effects may be due to avenanthramides, powerful anti-inflammatory agents that seem to mediate the anti-irritant effects of oats. A clinical trial evaluating itching experienced by burn patients revealed that the group using a product containing 5% colloidal oatmeal reported significantly less itching and required significantly fewer antihistamine treatments than the control group. Other preliminary clinical research shows that applying an oatmeal lotion twice daily can decrease itching intensity by 21% from baseline in patients with pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (uremic pruritus). Commission E approves its topical use in baths for inflammatory and seborrheic skin diseases, including itching.

Posologie

posologieTopical: seed

formulationcolloidal bath, lotion, colloidal lotion


Emotional Balance
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According to the EMA, oats are used in traditional medicine to relieve mild symptoms of mental stress and to aid sleep.

Posologie

posologieOral: aerial parts

posologie3 g

formulationhydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract


Sleep Disorders
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According to the EMA, oats are used in traditional medicine to relieve mild symptoms of mental stress and to aid sleep.

Posologie

posologieOral: aerial parts

posologie3 g

formulationhydro-alcoholic extract, dry extract


Properties


Cholesterol-lowering

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Soluble fibers, like beta-glucan found in oats, reduce the absorption of fatty acids and bile acids by binding to bile acids in the intestine and increasing their fecal excretion. Indeed, recent human studies have shown that oatmeal administration significantly increases the excretion of bile acids by 144%, decreases cholesterol absorption by 19%, and increases the excretion of bile acids and cholesterol by 40%. Oats also contain alpha-tocotrienols, an isomer of vitamin E. There is preliminary evidence that alpha-tocotrienols may inhibit hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) hepatic reductase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme necessary for cholesterol synthesis.

Usages associés

Hypercholesterolemia, Coronary Heart Diseases

Dermatological Effect

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It has been shown that the external application of oat-based preparations relieves itching. These effects are very likely due to the powerful anti-inflammatory effects of avenanthramides components. Experimental studies demonstrate that avenanthramides can inhibit the activity of nuclear factor kappaB and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and histamine. A reduction in skin pH and improvement in the composition of the skin microbiome and barrier function have also been shown. Oat extracts may also have antioxidant effects on skin cells. Moreover, the high concentration of starch and beta-glucan in colloidal oatmeal (obtained by finely grinding oats and boiling them to extract the colloidal material) is responsible for the protective and water-retentive functions of oats.

Usages associés

Dry Skin, Dermatoses, Itching

Hypoglycemic

full-leaffull-leafempty-leafempty-leaf

Clinical trials have shown that oats reduce the postprandial glycemic response. This is most likely due to the ability of beta-glucans to slow stomach emptying and increase the viscosity of foods in the small intestine, which delays glucose absorption, thereby reducing postprandial blood sugar spikes and insulin levels in both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Some clinical research shows that consuming oats in flake form decreases glucose and insulin levels more than consuming oats in flour form, in healthy adults.

Usages associés

Type 2 Diabetes

Anticancer

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Consumption of oats and oat bran has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer due to their high fiber content. In addition, in vitro studies suggest that avenanthramides attenuate the proliferation of colon cancer cells. Oat beta-glucans have demonstrated anticytotoxic, antimutagenic activity. An in vitro study using a mouse inflammation-related cancer model demonstrated a protective effect of oats against colon cancer. However, further studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Usages associés

Gastric Cancer

Laxative

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Oats are rich in fiber. Therefore, oats may increase stool weight and speed up colonic transit time. Wholegrain oat-based cereals can also act as prebiotics, increasing the proliferation of the Bifidobacterium genus.


Safety dosage

Adult from 12 years: 1 g - 75 g

To obtain health benefits, the entire oat must be used at a dose providing at least 3.6 grams of soluble fiber per day. Doses of 1 to 4 g three times a day of oatmeal or straw and 75 g of dry oat flakes (equivalent to approximately 3 g of soluble fiber per day) have been used. Oats have also been applied topically in creams or lotions containing 5% colloidal oats.


Interactions

Médicaments

Insulin: moderate interaction

In insulin-dependent type 2 diabetic patients, taking 100 grams of oats per day for 2 days, as part of a diabetes-adjusted diet, reduced the insulin dose needed to achieve metabolic control. Theoretically, the concurrent use of oats and insulin could increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

Plantes ou autres actifs

Hypoglycemic: low interaction

Consumption of oats can reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. In theory, oats could have additive effects when used with other herbs and supplements that also lower glucose levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia.


Precautions

Child up to 12 years: avoid

Use is not recommended in children under 12 years due to the lack of adequate data.

Pregnant woman: use with caution

Safety during pregnancy has not been established. Safe use in food quantities.

Breastfeeding woman: use with caution

Safety during breastfeeding has not been established. Safe use in food quantities.


Contraindications

Celiac disease: prohibited

Oats and oat bran have historically been excluded from gluten-free diets. However, oat-based products that are not contaminated with wheat, rye, or barley do not seem to have adverse effects on intestinal histology or serology in adults in remission with celiac disease. Pure oats appear to be tolerated at 20 to 25 grams per day for children in remission and 50 to 70 grams per day for adults in remission.