A PSYLLIUM-ENRICHED CEREAL FOR THE TREATMENT OF HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN CHILDREN - A CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND, CROSSOVER STUDY

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.