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Dietary fiber for reducing blood cholesterol
H Lipsky1, M Gloger, W H Frishman
1Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 1, 1990
Summary
Psyllium, a soluble fiber, can help lower cholesterol when used with a low-fat diet. While effective, its cholesterol-lowering impact is less pronounced than other medications.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Soluble dietary fibers, such as psyllium, exhibit cholesterol-lowering properties.
- Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid is a bulk-forming laxative used as a dietary supplement.
- Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by elevated cholesterol levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid on serum lipid profiles in hypercholesterolemic patients.
- To compare the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of psyllium with other lipid-lowering agents.
Main Methods:
- Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid was administered as a dietary supplement.
- Patients followed a low-fat diet concurrently.
- Serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were monitored.
Main Results:
- Psyllium supplementation, combined with a low-fat diet, reduced total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
- Psyllium supplementation also led to an increase in HDL cholesterol.
- The cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium were less significant compared to cholestyramine and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid can be a beneficial adjunct in managing hypercholesterolemia.
- The mechanism underlying psyllium's cholesterol-lowering effect requires further investigation.
- Psyllium demonstrates good tolerability for long-term use in hypercholesterolemic individuals.