Cholesterol, High Cholesterol

Psyllium, a dietary fiber, was shown to lower cholesterol in persons with mild-to-moderate high cholesterol on a low-fat diet in this meta-analysis that included 8 studies (n=656). For a minimum of 8 weeks participants on a low-fat diet received either psyllium 10.2 g/day (n=384) or placebo (n=272). Compared to the placebo group, psyllium significantly lowered total cholesterol by 4%, LDL cholesterol by 7%, and the ratio of apolipoprotein (apo) B to apo A-I (a predictor of coronary heart disease) by 6%. No change in HDL cholesterol or trig;yceride levels was reported. Overall psyllium was well tolerated. (45)

Significant reductions in total and LDL cholesterol levels in individuals with high cholesterol were reported after 26 weeks of treatment with 5.1 g psyllium, a dietary fiber, twice daily.  Participants were randomly assigned to receive either psyllium or placebo and continue following an American Heart Association Step I diet. Compared to the placebo group, after 24-26 weeks, total and LDL-cholesterol levels were reported to be 4.7% and 6.7% lower. (46)