Mh. Davidson et al., A PSYLLIUM-ENRICHED CEREAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN CHILDREN - A CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND, CROSSOVER STUDY, The American journal of clinical nutrition, 63(1), 1996, pp. 96-102
Psyllium, a water-soluble fiber, has been shown to lower total serum a
nd low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol concentrations in adult h
ypercholesterolemic subjects and may be effective in the treatment of
hypercholesterolemia in children. The effects of a psyllium-enriched c
ereal were compared with a matched control cereal in a double-blind, c
rossover fashion in 25 children, 6-18 y old, with hypercholesterolemia
. After an 8-wk diet-stabilization period, the subjects were randomly
assigned to receive the active or control cereals for 6 wk, followed b
y a 6-wk washout period and a 6-wk crossover treatment period. Whereas
no changes were noted in total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations dur
ing consumption of the control cereal, significant changes were seen d
uring the psyllium-cereal periods [0.31 mmol/L (12.1 mg/dL) and 0.28 m
mol/L (10.9 mg/dL); P = 0.03 and 0.01, respectively]. The psyllium-enr
iched cereal was well tolerated throughout the trial. Consumption of t
he psyllium-enriched cereal resulted in a modest 7% reduction in LDL-c
holesterol concentrations compared with the control cereal when used i
n this pediatric hypercholesterolemic sample. Psyllium offers a potent
ial adjunct to a low-fat diet for the treatment of hypercholesterolemi
a in the pediatric population because of its ease of incorporation int
o various foods.