Comparison of psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid and cellulose as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether psyllium, as an adjunct to a prudent diet, could effectively and safely reduce cholesterol levels in individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Results Summary
Psyllium supplementation (5.1 g twice daily) significantly reduced total cholesterol by 5.6% and LDL cholesterol by 8.6% compared to placebo, with no substantial changes in HDL cholesterol or triglycerides. Compliance was high (>95%), and no adverse effects were reported, suggesting psyllium is a safe and useful adjunct to a prudent diet for cholesterol management.
Population
Individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia (specific demographics not detailed).
Effective Dosage
5.1 g of psyllium twice daily.
Duration
16 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
psyllium | decrease | total cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | 5.6% | decreased | #1 |
psyllium | decrease | low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | 8.6% | decreased | #2 |
placebo (cellulose) | no change | total cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | unchanged | #3 |
placebo (cellulose) | no change | low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | unchanged | #4 |
prudent diet | decrease | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | decreased | #5 |
- | increase | high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | returned to near-baseline values | #6 |
psyllium | no change | plasma triglyceride levels | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | did not change substantially | #7 |
placebo (cellulose) | no change | plasma triglyceride levels | patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia | - | did not change substantially | #8 |
The effects of the administration of 5.1 g of psyllium or placebo (cellulose) twice daily for 16 weeks were compared as adjuncts to a prudent diet in the management of moderate hypercholesterolemia in a parallel, double-blind study. Psyllium decreased the total cholesterol level by 5.6% and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level by 8.6%, whereas the levels were unchanged in the placebo group. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level decreased during the diet stabilization period in both groups and returned to near-baseline values by week 16. Plasma triglyceride levels did not change substantially in either group. Subject compliance to treatment was greater than 95%. These data suggest that psyllium hydrophilic mucilloid in a twice-daily regimen may be a useful and safe adjunct to a prudent diet in the treatment of moderate hypercholesterolemia.