Oats

USAGE AND EFFECTIVENESS

Usage	Effectiveness
Diabetes	Effective (Reduce blood sugar levels in Type 2 Diabetes) • Shown in several clinical studies to reduce risk of developing type 2 diabetes (7-11%); effects of oats include lowering of blood sugar level, insulin level, fat, and bad cholesterol levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes • For type 1 diabetes, based on a very small clinical study, there were improvement in blood sugar control and reduction of blood sugar levels; more evidence is needed for use in Type 1 diabetes
Heart & Blood Vessel Diseases	Effective (Approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)) Shown in several strong clinical studies to reduce the risk of heart diseases Several strong clinical studies to support the point above
Dry Skin	Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of dry skin) Shown in two clinical studies to reduce flaky skin, itch, skin crack, skin dryness, roughness but clinical studies are not robust enough (the size of study was small and studies were limited by the lack of a comparator group); more evidence is needed
Eczema	Mild effectiveness (Improve skin condition in individuals with eczema) Shown in two clinical studies to reduce the severity of eczema, improve quality of life, and improve symptoms when used alone or together with a medicinal grade cream (fluocinolone); but clinical studies are not robust enough (small test population and one of the studies did not have a comparator group); more evidence is needed
High Cholesterol	Mild effectiveness (Reduce cholesterol level) Several clinical studies showed that taking 3 to 10 grammes of soluble fibre (secondary to intake of about 3 serving of oats(150 grammes)) may reduce total cholesterol by 4 - 14 milligrammes and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) by 4 - 12milligrammes; higher consumption of oats does not seem to further reduce the cholesterol level; more evidence is needed on greater reduction of cholesterol level
Itch	Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of itchy skin) One clinical study showed that use of oats lotion reduced itch by 20% in patients with kidney disease; the effect was comparable to skin application of 5% vinegar or oral consumption of anti-allergy medicine (hydroxyzine); however, usage of oats lotion did not reduce number of times itch was felt; more evidence is needed
Breast Cancer	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce risk of breast cancer) One clinical study showed conflicting results (Death risk is reduced by 20% but no benefit was observed after the breast cancer diagnosis); but clinical study is not robust enough (population research); more evidence is needed
Cognitive Function	Unclear ineffectiveness (Improve brain function) One clinical study showed that test subjects self-reported that they have faster memory recall but there was no improvement in accuracy of recall; more evidence is needed
Colorectal Cancer	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce the risk of colorectal cancer) In one observational research, oats did not reduce the risk of colon cancer and reappearance of colon tumours; more evidence needed as observation study is unable to show cause-and-effect
Exercise-induced Muscle Ache & Soreness	Mild effectiveness (Improve symptoms of dry skin) Shown in two clinical studies to reduce flaky skin, itch, skin crack, skin dryness, roughness but clinical studies are not robust enough (the size of study was small and studies were limited by the lack of a comparator group); more evidence is needed
Fat Redistribution Syndrome	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce risk of fat redistribution syndrome) Shown in one clinical study to prevent fat redistribution in AIDS patients and cut probability of fat distribution by 7%; but clinical study is not robust enough; more evidence is needed Fat Redistribution Syndrome is a condition where fats from arms & legs, face and buttock are transferred to abdomen, breasts and back of the neck and shoulder. It is usually caused by HIV medication or HIV itself
Gastric Cancer	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce risk of developing gastric cancer) • Shown in observational research to reduce the incidence of gastric cancer • More evidence is needed as observation study is unable to show cause-and-effect
High Blood Pressure	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce blood pressure) In one observational research, oats did not reduce blood pressure in men with mild high blood pressure; more evidence needed as observation study is unable to show cause-and-effect
Metabolic Syndrome	Unclear effectiveness (Improve metabolic syndrome) In one clinical research, oats did not reduce metabolic syndrome; it also does not reduce weight, blood pressure, bad cholesterol, triglycerides (component of fats), and blood sugar levels; more evidence needed
Stroke	Unclear effectiveness (Reduce risk of stroke) Shown in one big population study to reduce the incidence of stroke if individuals replace bread or eggs with oats for breakfast; more evidence is needed
Ulcerative Colitis	Unclear effectiveness (Decrease risk of ulcerative colitis) Shown in one clinical study to improve symptoms and reduce reappearance of colitis after going into disease-free phase; but clinical study is not robust enough (small clinical study and effectiveness of oats when used alone is unknown); more evidence is needed Ulcerative Colitis is condition where the immune system attacks the large intestines, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea and blood in stool.
Acne	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Anxiety	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Burns	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Gallbladder Disorders	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Irritable Bowel Syndrome	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Osteoarthritis	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Psoriasis	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Rheumatoid Arthritis	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed
Wounds	Unknown effectiveness No clinical study to support the above point; More evidence needed

General Safety

• Generally safe as food in normal amount and when used appropriately

Pregnant/ Breastfeeding

• Generally safe when consumed or applied appropriately

Children

• Generally safe as food in normal amount

Elderly

• With regards to usage of oats as a supplement, there is little data to show it is safe or otherwise; avoid if possible; as food, avoidance of oats is not needed

Special to Note

• Unknown

Contraindications

• May worsen condition in individuals with celiac disease
  May cause obstruction in the digestive system in individuals with digestive system disorders

Side Effects

• Generally safe; side effects may include:
  Skin:May cause irritation, redness, burning, and itchiness when applied to skin
  Digestive System:May cause passing of gas, bloatedness and unpleasant taste

• Medicines
  Medium severity interactions with medicines for lowering blood sugar level
• Supplements
  Medium severity interactions with herbs and supplements for lowering blood sugar level
• Food
  None known
• Lab Tests
  None known

• Oral (Adults)
  3.6 grammes of soluble fibre daily (equivalent to 56 gramme of oats/ about 1 serving or 1/2 cup)

• General Information
  • Oats is used by consumers for heart diseases and other issues
• How does it work?
  • Contains chemicals that reduce cancer risk, skin problems, cholesterol level, blood sugar level, and body weight; help with bowel movement