Effect of the Indian gooseberry (amla) on serum cholesterol levels in men aged 35-55 years.

The effect on total serum cholesterol and its lipoprotein fractions of supplementation of the diet with amla (Emblica officinalis, Gaertn., the Indian gooseberry) was studied in normal and hypercholesterolaemic men aged 35-55 years. The supplement was given for a period of 28 d in the raw form. Both normal and hypercholesterolaemic subjects showed a decrease in cholesterol levels. Two weeks after withdrawing the supplement, the total serum cholesterol levels of the hypercholesterolaemic subjects rose significantly almost to initial levels.