Glycosylated haemoglobin, blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels in diabetics treated with guar gum.

: The diet of 10 insulin-dependent diabetics was modified for 3 months by the addition of guar gum to buttermilk rusks. Control of glycaemia was assessed by serial determination of total glycosylated haemoglobin A1. The effect of guar on serum cholesterol levels was noted. Guar gum supplementation failed to improve the long-term diabetic control, but significantly reduced serum cholesterol levels (P less than 0,01). The effect of guar on lipoprotein levels should be investigated more fully.