Access Type

Open Access Thesis

Date of Award

January 2013

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Department

Nutrition and Food Science

First Advisor

K-L. Catherine Jen

Abstract

Obesity and hyperlipidemia have become major concerns in the United States over the past 30 years. Alpha-Cyclodextrin (á-CD), a naturally occurring soluble dietary fiber, has been shown to reduce dietary fat absorption and improve blood lipid levels in an animal model (mouse and rat) and in human studies. In the current double blind study, 34 healthy male and female participants were recruited to test if á-CD had any acute effect on blood lipid and glycemic responses to a fat containing meal. The participants received the á-CD on one occasion and a placebo the other to determine if there was any difference in the resulting acute blood lipid and glycemic responses. When the á-CD was consumed with the meal, the blood triglyceride levels showed a significant reduction post meal (placebo=419 ± 97 vs. á-CD= 359 ± 107) when compared to the placebo phase. The results for blood glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein did not show any significant difference between the two phases. These results suggest that á-CD may be beneficial for individuals who suffer from hypertriglyceridemia.

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