Jw. Anderson et al., Long-term cholesterol-lowering effects of psyllium as an adjunct to diet therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, AM J CLIN N, 71(6), 2000, pp. 1433-1438
Background: Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart
disease and nutrition management is the initial therapeutic approach.
Objective: This multicenter study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of
psyllium husk fiber as an adjunct to diet in the treatment of persons with
primary hypercholesterolemia.
Design: Men and women with hypercholesterolemia were recruited. After follo
wing an American Heart Association Step I diet for 8 wk (dietary adaptation
phase), eligible subjects with serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations betwee
n 3.36 and 4.91 mmol/L were randomly assigned to receive either 5.1 g psyll
ium or a cellulose placebo twice daily for 26 wk while continuing diet ther
apy.
Results: Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were 4.7% and 6.7%
lower in the psyllium group than in the placebo group after 24-26 wk (P < 0
.001). Other outcome measures did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions: Treatment with 5.1 g psyllium twice daily produces significant
net reductions in serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in men an
d women with primary hypercholesterolemia. Psyllium therapy is an effective
adjunct to diet therapy and may provide an alternative to drug therapy for
some patients.