THE CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING EFFECT OF PSYLLI UM, A SOURCE OF SOLUBLE DIETARY FIBER

Certain types of soluble dietary fiber are known for their cholesterol -lowering and hypoglycemic effects. Therefore diets rich in soluble fi bers are recommended as an additional tool in the treatment and preven tion of hyperlipidemia! and diabetes. Because the cholesterol-lowering effect of certain fibers differs depending on the quantity needed and large quantities cannot be applied in normal diets, it is important t o elucidate the most effective soluble fiber source. Besides pectin, g uar gum and beta-glucane rich oat bran, psyllium, a hydrophilic mucoll oid extracted from Plantago ovata, is recognized in the USA, Canada an d Australia as an excellent source of soluble fiber. Because of its gr eat cholesterol-lowering effect psyllium has already been added to som e food products such as breakfast cereals. In Germany the cholesterol- lowering potential of psyllium is not yet appreciated. in the present review psyllium is characterized. Based on data from studies in adults and children on the effect of psyllium on blood lipids the cholestero l-lowering potential of psyllium is evaluated. The mechanisms responsi ble for the hypocholesterolemic effect of psyllium are elucidated in t he light of recent data obtained from animal studies. Finally, the ben eficial effect of psyllium is compared to that of other soluble fibers and suggestions for psyllium enrichment of certain food products are made.